1 Kings 6

Ver. 37, 38. Never was such a magnificent structure on earth as this temple of Solomon. God himself had given the plan of it to David

1 Kings 6:19

David and his princes prepared, for the erection of it, about 46,000 ton weight of gold and silver: amounting, in all, to about 942,719,750l. sterling. About 183,600 Canaanites and Hebrews were employed in building it. It took above seven years to finish it. The whole top of mount Moriah was enclosed within a wall, to be a court for it. This court was divided into two; the outer for the clean Hebrews, which had an entrance from every side, but the principal one was from the east; and that of the royal family from the south-west: the inner court separated from the outer by a low wall, was appointed for the priests and Levites. Here, just before the east end of the temple, stood the brazen altar, 36½ feet square, and 18½ high, with the brazen sea, ten lavers, five on each side of the entrance of the temple. Immediately westward from these was the porch of the temple, 36½ feet from north to south, and 18½ from east to west, and about 219 feet high: on each side it had an ornamental pillar of brass about 33 feet high. This served as a magnificent steeple, and as a place of shelter and prayer for the serving priests. Passing through this porch, you entered into the sanctuary, an apartment about 73 feet long, 36½ broad, and 54½ high. This was illuminated by at least ten golden candlesticks; each of which had seven curiously adorned branches for lamps: five of those were placed on the north, and as many on the south side of the house. An equal number of golden tables, furnished each with 12 loaves of shew-bread, stood on each side of the house, probably between the candlesticks. Close to the west end, in the middle, stood the golden altar of incense, passing by it, through a door-way, hung with a fine vali, and having leaves for shutting it, the high priest, on the day of atonement, entered into the Oracle, or most holy place. It was an apartment 36½ feet in length, and as much in breadth, and 54½ in height. Here, amidst perpetual darkness, was placed the ark, with its golden cherubims overshadowing it and the whole furniture. Solomon added two new cherubims of olive trees, which stretched their wings over it, and to the whole breadth of the house, each wing extending about 18 feet. The wall of this temple consisted of alternate rows of cedar planks and hewn stone, probably polished marble. The whole inside of the house was overlaid with fine gold, and curiously ornamented with figures of cherubims and palm trees. On the outside of the wall were erected ninety chambers in three stories, for the accommodation of the priests who served at it. After Solomon had dedicated it to the service of God, by solemn prayer and sacrifices, and God had taken possession of it, by the entrance of the cloud of glory, the priests, singers, and porters, attended it, in the order prescribed by king David. After it had stood about four hundred and sixteen years, and had been frequently pillaged, it was burnt by Nebuchadnezzar. About seventy years after it was rebuilt, with inferior glory, by the captives who returned from Babylon. This had stood about five hundred years, when it was rebuilt with far more magnificence by Herod the Great; and a new court for the Gentiles was added; but, in little more than eighty years after, it was finally destroyed by the Romans, A. D. 72. 1 Chron. xvii. xxii.—xxix. 2 Chron. ii.—viii. 2 Kings xxv. Jer. iii Ezra ii.—vi. John i

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. VI.—How little God regards pomp in his worship, who wanted a temple so long in his holy nation! But, when he calls for our substance, we ought cheerfully to give in proportion to our greatness and wealth. What we do in God’s church should be done diligently, orderly, and peaceably. But a hearty obedience to his law is more valuable than the most expensive donations to his church. They, who go forth with a desire to his glory, may confidently expect some tokens of his approbation. And, wherever God by his grace begins a good work, he will finish it in his time. But great is our mercy that, instead of a magnificent but carnal temple, we have now an incarnate, an ascended Redeemer! a glorious gospel church, planned, prepared for, erected, fashioned, and furnished, by God!—that every believer is made a living temple for the Lord! and that in heaven we have an house eternal, immovable, incorruptible, and that fadeth not away!