1 Kings 6

1 the four hundred and eightieth year. This date has caused some difficulty in the chronology, and appears inconsistent with the date given by the apostle Paul, according to either reading of Acts xiii. 20. The Septuagint has “the four hundred and fortieth year”; and Josephus, “the five hundred and ninety-second.”

2 threescore cubits. About 90 feet, the breadth being 30 feet, and the height 45 feet. It was built after the model of the tabernacle, but was just twice as large; and the symbolical meaning of its various parts was the same: see Exod. xxv., xxvii., xxxv.-xxxix.

4 windows of narrow lights. Perhaps, “with lattice closed,” i.e., so that they could not be opened (see R.V.). Other explanations are “windows broad within, and narrow without” (marg. A.V. and R.V.), or “windows with gratings” (Moffatt).

5 he built chambers, etc. Rather, “and he built upon the wall of the house a storied part round the walls of the house, around the temple and the oracle; and he made side chambers round about” (see R.V.).

the oracle. That is, the most holy place.

6 chamber. Rather, “storey” (R.V.).

7 made ready before it was brought thither. Or, as R.V., “made ready at the quarry.”

10 chambers. Rather, “the storied part.” In the second clause the plural “they” refers to its division by floors into three tiers of rooms.

12 which I spake. See the promise made to David in 2 Sam. vii. 13-16.

20 twenty cubits in length, etc. An exact cube of about 30 feet.

21 made a partition by the chains of gold. Rather, as R.V., “drew across chains of gold,” “Overlaid it,” i.e., the oracle.

22 that was by the oracle. Rather, as R.V., “that belonged to the oracle.”

23 two cherubim. These cherubim were distinct from those which covered the mercy-seat, and which were inseparable from it, being formed of the same mass of gold; these were colossal figures about 15 feet high, made of olive wood plated with gold, standing on the ground, on each side of the ark, and spreading their wings across the most holy place.

31 a fifth part. Or “pentagon” (see marg.).

33 the door. i.e., “the entering” (R.V.) from the porch into the holy place.

38 seven years. Or exactly seven years and a half, the odd months not being reckoned in the text (“Zif” was the second month). The building was very quickly completed. It was not, however, very large; and besides this a vast number of workmen were employed in it, and the materials were prepared in Lebanon before it was begun.