1 Kings Chapter 6

Commentary

Solomon Builds the Temple

(2 Chronicles 3:1-2)

1And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD. 2And the house which king Solomon built for the LORD, the length thereof was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits. 3And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house; and ten cubits was the breadth thereof before the house. 4And for the house he made windows of narrow lights.

The Chambers

5And against the wall of the house he built chambers round about, against the walls of the house round about, both of the temple and of the oracle: and he made chambers round about: 6The nethermost chamber was five cubits broad, and the middle was six cubits broad, and the third was seven cubits broad: for without in the wall of the house he made narrowed rests round about, that the beams should not be fastened in the walls of the house.

7And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.

8The door for the middle chamber was in the right side of the house: and they went up with winding stairs into the middle chamber, and out of the middle into the third. 9So he built the house, and finished it; and covered the house with beams and boards of cedar. 10And then he built chambers against all the house, five cubits high: and they rested on the house with timber of cedar.

God's Promise

11And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying, 12Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father: 13And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.

14So Solomon built the house, and finished it.

The Temple's Interior

15And he built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar, both the floor of the house, and the walls of the cieling: and he covered them on the inside with wood, and covered the floor of the house with planks of fir. 16And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the house, both the floor and the walls with boards of cedar: he even built them for it within, even for the oracle, even for the most holy place. 17And the house, that is, the temple before it, was forty cubits long. 18And the cedar of the house within was carved with knops and open flowers: all was cedar; there was no stone seen. 19And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD. 20And the oracle in the forepart was twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits in the height thereof: and he overlaid it with pure gold; and so covered the altar which was of cedar. 21So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold: and he made a partition by the chains of gold before the oracle; and he overlaid it with gold. 22And the whole house he overlaid with gold, until he had finished all the house: also the whole altar that was by the oracle he overlaid with gold.

The Cherubim

(2 Chronicles 3:11-13)

23And within the oracle he made two cherubims of olive tree, each ten cubits high. 24And five cubits was the one wing of the cherub, and five cubits the other wing of the cherub: from the uttermost part of the one wing unto the uttermost part of the other were ten cubits. 25And the other cherub was ten cubits: both the cherubims were of one measure and one size. 26The height of the one cherub was ten cubits, and so was it of the other cherub. 27And he set the cherubims within the inner house: and they stretched forth the wings of the cherubims, so that the wing of the one touched the one wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; and their wings touched one another in the midst of the house. 28And he overlaid the cherubims with gold.

29And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without. 30And the floor of the house he overlaid with gold, within and without.

The Doors

31And for the entering of the oracle he made doors of olive tree: the lintel and side posts were a fifth part of the wall. 32The two doors also were of olive tree; and he carved upon them carvings of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, and overlaid them with gold, and spread gold upon the cherubims, and upon the palm trees.

33So also made he for the door of the temple posts of olive tree, a fourth part of the wall. 34And the two doors were of fir tree: the two leaves of the one door were folding, and the two leaves of the other door were folding. 35And he carved thereon cherubims and palm trees and open flowers: and covered them with gold fitted upon the carved work.

The Courtyard

36And he built the inner court with three rows of hewed stone, and a row of cedar beams.

37In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the LORD laid, in the month Zif: 38And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, was the house finished throughout all the parts thereof, and according to all the fashion of it. So was he seven years in building it.

King James Bible

Text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Temple Construction Begins
(2 Chronicles 3:1–2)

1 It happened in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel had come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, in the month Ziv, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of Yahweh. 2 The house which king Solomon built for Yahweh, its length was sixty cubits, and its breadth twenty, and its height thirty cubits. 3 The porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was its length, according to the breadth of the house. Ten cubits was its breadth before the house. 4 For the house he made windows of fixed lattice work.

The Chambers

5 Against the wall of the house he built stories all around, against the walls of the house all around, both of the temple and of the oracle; and he made side rooms all around. 6 The nethermost story was five cubits broad, and the middle was six cubits broad, and the third was seven cubits broad; for on the outside he made offsets in the wall of the house all around, that the beams should not have hold in the walls of the house.

7 The house, when it was in building, was built of stone prepared at the quarry; and there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.

8 The door for the middle side rooms was in the right side of the house: and they went up by winding stairs into the middle story, and out of the middle into the third. 9 So he built the house, and finished it; and he covered the house with beams and planks of cedar. 10 He built the stories against all the house, each five cubits high: and they rested on the house with timber of cedar.

God’s Promise to Solomon

11 The word of Yahweh came to Solomon, saying, 12 “Concerning this house which you are building, if you will walk in my statutes, and execute my ordinances, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father. 13 I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.”

The Temple’s Interior
(2 Chronicles 3:5–9)

14 So Solomon built the house, and finished it.

15 He built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar: from the floor of the house to the walls of the ceiling, he covered them on the inside with wood; and he covered the floor of the house with boards of fir. 16 He built twenty cubits on the hinder part of the house with boards of cedar from the floor to the ceiling: he built them for it within, for an oracle, even for the most holy place. 17 In front of the temple sanctuary was forty cubits. 18 There was cedar on the house within, carved with buds and open flowers: all was cedar; there was no stone seen. 19 He prepared an oracle in the midst of the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of Yahweh. 20 Within the oracle was twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits in its height; and he overlaid it with pure gold: and he covered the altar with cedar. 21 So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold: and he drew chains of gold across before the oracle; and he overlaid it with gold. 22 The whole house he overlaid with gold, until all the house was finished: also the whole altar that belonged to the oracle he overlaid with gold.

The Cherubim
(2 Chronicles 3:10–13)

23 In the oracle he made two cherubim of olive wood, each ten cubits high. 24 Five cubits was the one wing of the cherub, and five cubits the other wing of the cherub: from the uttermost part of the one wing to the uttermost part of the other were ten cubits. 25 The other cherub was ten cubits: both the cherubim were of one measure and one form. 26 The height of the one cherub was ten cubits, and so was it of the other cherub. 27 He set the cherubim within the inner house; and the wings of the cherubim were stretched forth, so that the wing of the one touched the one wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; and their wings touched one another in the midst of the house. 28 He overlaid the cherubim with gold.

29 He carved all the walls of the house around with carved figures of cherubim and palm trees and open flowers, inside and outside. 30 The floor of the house he overlaid with gold, inside and outside.

The Doors

31 For the entrance of the oracle he made doors of olive wood: the lintel and door posts were a fifth part of the wall. 32 So he made two doors of olive wood; and he carved on them carvings of cherubim and palm trees and open flowers, and overlaid them with gold; and he spread the gold on the cherubim, and on the palm trees.

33 So also made he for the entrance of the temple door posts of olive wood, out of a fourth part of the wall; 34 and two doors of fir wood: the two leaves of the one door were folding, and the two leaves of the other door were folding. 35 He carved cherubim and palm trees and open flowers; and he overlaid them with gold fitted on the engraved work.

The Courtyard

36 He built the inner court with three courses of cut stone, and a course of cedar beams.

37 In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of Yahweh laid, in the month Ziv. 38 In the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, was the house finished throughout all its parts, and according to all its fashion. So was he seven years in building it.

Temple Construction Begins
(2 Chronicles 3:1–2)

1 In the four hundred and eightieth a year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt, in the month of Ziv, b the second month of the fourth year of Solomon’s reign over Israel, he began to build the house of the LORD.

2 The house that King Solomon built for the LORD was sixty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and thirty cubits high. c 3 The portico at the front of the main hall of the temple was twenty cubits d long, extending across the width of the temple and projecting out ten cubits e in front of the temple.

4 He also had narrow windows framed high in the temple.

The Chambers

5 Against the walls of the temple and the inner sanctuary, Solomon built a chambered structure around the temple, in which he constructed the side rooms. 6 The bottom floor was five cubits wide, f the middle floor six cubits, g and the third floor seven cubits. h He also placed offset ledges around the outside of the temple, so that nothing would be inserted into its walls.

7 The temple was constructed using finished stones cut at the quarry, so that no hammer or chisel or any other iron tool was heard in the temple while it was being built.

8 The entrance to the bottom i floor was on the south side of the temple. A stairway led up to the middle level, and from there to the third floor.

9 So Solomon built the temple and finished it, roofing it with beams and planks of cedar. 10 He built chambers all along the temple, each five cubits high and attached to the temple with beams of cedar.

God’s Promise to Solomon

11 Then the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying: 12 “As for this temple you are building, if you walk in My statutes, carry out My ordinances, and keep all My commandments by walking in them, I will fulfill through you the promise I made to your father David. 13 And I will dwell among the Israelites and will not abandon My people Israel.”

The Temple’s Interior
(2 Chronicles 3:5–9)

14 So Solomon built the temple and finished it. 15 He lined the interior walls with cedar paneling from the floor of the temple to the ceiling, and he covered the floor with cypress j boards.

16 He partitioned off the twenty cubits at the rear of the temple with cedar boards from floor to ceiling to form within the temple an inner sanctuary, the Most Holy Place. k 17 And the main hall in front of this room was forty cubits long. l

18 The cedar paneling inside the temple was carved with gourds and open flowers. Everything was cedar; not a stone could be seen.

19 Solomon also prepared the inner sanctuary within the temple to set the ark of the covenant of the LORD there. 20 The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and twenty cubits high. He overlaid the inside with pure gold, and he also overlaid the altar of cedar. m

21 So Solomon overlaid the inside of the temple with pure gold, and he extended gold chains n across the front of the inner sanctuary, which was overlaid with gold. 22 So he overlaid with gold the whole interior of the temple, until everything was completely finished. He also overlaid with gold the entire altar that belonged to the inner sanctuary.

The Cherubim
(2 Chronicles 3:10–13)

23 In the inner sanctuary he made two cherubim, each ten cubits high, out of olive wood. 24 One wing of the first cherub was five cubits long, and the other wing was five cubits long as well. So the full wingspan was ten cubits. 25 The second cherub also measured ten cubits; both cherubim had the same size and shape, 26 and the height of each cherub was ten cubits.

27 And he placed the cherubim inside the innermost room of the temple. Since their wings were spread out, the wing of the first cherub touched one wall, while the wing of the second cherub touched the other wall, and in the middle of the room their wingtips touched. 28 He also overlaid the cherubim with gold.

29 Then he carved the walls all around the temple, in both the inner and outer sanctuaries, with carved engravings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. 30 And he overlaid the temple floor with gold in both the inner and outer sanctuaries.

The Doors

31 For the entrance to the inner sanctuary, Solomon constructed doors of olive wood with five-sided doorposts. 32 The double doors were made of olive wood, and he carved into them cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers and overlaid the cherubim and palm trees with hammered gold.

33 In the same way he made four-sided doorposts of olive wood for the sanctuary entrance. 34 The two doors were made of cypress wood, and each had two folding panels. 35 He carved into them cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers; and he overlaid them with gold, hammered evenly over the carvings.

The Courtyard

36 Solomon built the inner courtyard with three rows of dressed stone and one row of trimmed cedar beams.

37 The foundation of the house of the LORD was laid in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign, in the month of Ziv. 38 In his eleventh year and eighth month, the month of Bul, o the temple was finished in every detail and according to every specification. So he built the temple in seven years.

 

Footnotes:

1 a Hebrew; LXX four hundred and fortieth
1 b Ziv  was the second month of the ancient Hebrew lunar calendar, usually occurring within the months of April and May; also in verse 37.
2 c The house was approximately 90 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 45 feet high (27.4 meters long, 9.1 meters wide, and 13.7 meters high).
3 d 20 cubits  is approximately 30 feet or 9.1 meters; also in verses 16 and 20.
3 e 10 cubits  is approximately 15 feet or 4.6 meters; also in verses 23–26.
6 f 5 cubits  is approximately 7.5 feet or 2.3 meters; also in verses 10 and 24.
6 g 6 cubits  is approximately 9 feet or 2.7 meters.
6 h 7 cubits  is approximately 10.5 feet or 3.2 meters.
8 i LXX and Targum; Hebrew middle
15 j Or pine  or juniper  or fir ; also in verse 34
16 k Or the Holy of Holies
17 l 40 cubits  is approximately 60 feet or 18.3 meters.
20 m Or with cedar
21 n Or made gold chains to draw (the curtains)
38 o Bul  was the eighth month of the ancient Hebrew lunar calendar, usually occurring within the months of October and November.

Solomon Builds the Temple

(2 Chronicles 3:1-2)

1And it cometh to pass, in the four hundred and eightieth year of the going out of the sons of Israel from the land of Egypt, in the fourth year -- in the month of Zif, it is the second month -- of the reigning of Solomon over Israel, that he buildeth the house for Jehovah. 2As to the house that king Solomon hath built for Jehovah, sixty cubits is its length, and twenty its breadth, and thirty cubits its height. 3As to the porch on the front of the temple of the house, twenty cubits is its length on the front of the breadth of the house; ten by the cubit is its breadth on the front of the house; 4and he maketh for the house windows of narrow lights.

The Chambers

5And he buildeth against the wall of the house a couch round about, even the walls of the house round about, of the temple and of the oracle, and maketh sides round about. 6The lowest couch, five by the cubit is its breadth; and the middle, six by the cubit is its breadth; and the third, seven by the cubit is its breadth, for withdrawings he hath put to the house round about, without -- not to lay hold on the walls of the house.

7And the house, in its being built, of perfect stone brought thither hath been built, and hammer, and the axe -- any instrument of iron -- was not heard in the house, in its being built.

8The opening of the middle side is at the right shoulder of the house, and with windings they go up on the middle one, and from the middle one unto the third. 9And he buildeth the house, and completeth it, and covereth the house with beams and rows of cedars. 10And he buildeth the couch against all the house, five cubits is its height, and it taketh hold of the house by cedar-wood.

God's Promise

11And the word of Jehovah is unto Solomon, saying, 12'This house that thou art building -- if thou dost walk in My statutes, and My judgments dost do, yea, hast done all My commands, to walk in them, then I have established My word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father, 13and have tabernacled in the midst of the sons of Israel, and do not forsake My people Israel.'

14And Solomon buildeth the house and completeth it;

The Temple's Interior

15and he buildeth the walls of the house within with beams of cedar, from the floor of the house unto the walls of the ceiling; he hath overlaid with wood the inside, and covereth the floor of the house with ribs of fir. 16And he buildeth the twenty cubits on the sides of the house with ribs of cedar, from the floor unto the walls; and he buildeth for it within, for the oracle, for the holy of holies. 17And forty by the cubit was the house, it is the temple before it. 18And the cedar for the house within is carvings of knobs and openings of flowers; the whole is cedar, there is not a stone seen. 19And the oracle in the midst of the house within he hath prepared, to put there the ark of the covenant of Jehovah. 20And before the oracle is twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits is its height; and he overlayeth it with gold refined, and overlayeth the altar with cedar. 21And Solomon overlayeth the house within with gold refined, and causeth it to pass over in chains of gold before the oracle, and overlayeth it with gold. 22And the whole of the house he hath overlaid with gold, till the completion of all the house; and the whole of the altar that the oracle hath, he hath overlaid with gold.

The Cherubim

(2 Chronicles 3:11-13)

23And he maketh within the oracle two cherubs, of the oil-tree, ten cubits is their height; 24and five cubits is the one wing of the cherub, and five cubits the second wing of the cherub, ten cubits from the ends of its wings even unto the ends of its wings; 25and ten by the cubit is the second cherub, one measure and one form are to the two cherubs, 26the height of the one cherub is ten by the cubit, and so is the second cherub; 27and he setteth the cherubs in the midst of the inner house, and they spread out the wings of the cherubs, and a wing of the one cometh against the wall, and a wing of the second cherub is coming against the second wall, and their wings are unto the midst of the house, coming wing against wing; 28and he overlayeth the cherubs with gold,

29and all the walls of the house round about he hath carved with openings of carvings, cherubs, and palm trees, and openings of flowers, within and without. 30And the floor of the house he hath overlaid with gold, within and without;

The Doors

31as to the opening of the oracle, he made doors of the oil-tree; the lintel, side-posts, a fifth. 32And the two doors are of the oil-tree, and he hath carved upon them carvings of cherubs, and palm-trees, and openings of flowers, and overlaid with gold, and he causeth the gold to go down on the cherubs and on the palm-trees.

33And so he hath made for the opening of the temple, side-posts of the oil-tree, from the fourth. 34And the two doors are of fir-tree, the two sides of the one door are revolving, and the two hangings of the second door are revolving. 35And he hath carved cherubs, and palms, and openings of flowers, and overlaid with straightened gold the graved work.

The Courtyard

36And he buildeth the inner court, three rows of hewn work, and a row of beams of cedar.

37In the fourth year hath the house of Jehovah been founded, in the month Zif, 38and in the eleventh year, in the month Bul -- that is the eighth month -- hath the house been finished in all its matters, and in all its ordinances, and he buildeth it seven years.

The F.O.G Commentary:

1What is the meaning of 1 Kings 6?
2Introduction to 1 Kings 6
3Context of 1 Kings 6
4Ancient Key Word Study
5Compare & Contrast
61 Kings 6 Unique Insights
71 Kings 6 Connections to Yeshua
81 Kings 6 Scriptural Echoes
91 Kings 6 Devotional
10Did You Know

What is the meaning of 1 Kings 6?

Introduction to 1 Kings 6

1 Kings 6 represents one of the most significant chapters in biblical history as it meticulously details the construction of Solomon’s Temple—the first permanent dwelling place for יהוה’s presence among His people Israel. This sacred architectural marvel, built according to divine specifications, transformed Israel’s worship from a portable tabernacle to a glorious fixed sanctuary that would become the spiritual, religious, and cultural heart of the nation. The intricate details provided about dimensions, materials, and design elements reveal profound theological symbolism that pointed toward God’s holiness, the beauty of sacred space, and ultimately, toward the Messiah who would one day declare Himself greater than the Temple.

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Context of 1 Kings 6

Within the narrative of 1 Kings, this chapter follows Solomon’s diplomatic arrangements with King Hiram of Tyre to secure cedar and cypress timber (1 Kings 5) and precedes the construction of Solomon’s royal palace complex (1 Kings 7). It represents the culmination of David’s desire to build God a house (2 Samuel 7:1-3) and the fulfillment of God’s promise that David’s son would construct the Temple (2 Samuel 7:12-13).

In the broader biblical narrative, 1 Kings 6 completes the progression from the portable wilderness Tabernacle (Exodus 25-31) to a permanent Temple structure in the Promised Land. The 480-year timeframe mentioned in verse 1 deliberately connects the Temple construction to the Exodus, establishing it as the culmination of Israel’s journey from Egyptian slavery to established kingdom. This Temple would later be destroyed by Nebuchadnezzar (586 BCE), rebuilt in more modest form under Zerubbabel, magnificently expanded by Herod, and ultimately replaced by the living Temple of Messiah’s body and community.

Ancient Key Word Study

  • הֵיכָל (heikhal) – “temple” (v. 3, 5, 17): More than just a building, this term derives from Sumerian E.GAL meaning “great house” and denotes both royalty and divine presence. It emphasizes that this structure was both the palace of the Divine King and the meeting place between God and humanity.
  • דְּבִיר (d’vir) – “inner sanctuary/Holy of Holies” (v. 5, 16, 19-23): This term likely derives from the root דבר (davar – word/speak), suggesting the place where God’s word was communicated. It housed the Ark of the Covenant and represented the ultimate sacred space where heaven and earth intersected.
  • צֵלָע (tsela) – “side chambers” (v. 5-8): This is the same word used for “rib” in the creation of Eve (Genesis 2:21-22). These chambers surrounded the Temple proper, creating a graduated structure that both protected the central sanctuary and provided practical space for storage and service.
  • חַלּוֹנֵי שְׁקֻפִים אֲטֻמִים (challonei sh’qufim atumim) – “windows with recessed frames” (v. 4): This unusual phrase describes windows that were wider on the inside than outside, allowing light to enter while preventing anyone from looking directly into the sacred space—a architectural feature that symbolized divine revelation flowing outward.
  • כְּרוּבִים (keruvim) – “cherubim” (v. 23-35): These angelic beings guarded sacred space throughout Scripture, from the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24) to the Ark of the Covenant. Their massive presence in the Holy of Holies represented both divine protection and the heavenly throne room.
  • מִקְלַעַת (miq’la’at) – “carvings” (v. 18, 29, 32): From a root meaning “to sling/throw,” this term suggests relief carvings that appeared to project outward, bringing dimensionality and life to the Temple’s interior decorations of palm trees, flowers, and cherubim.
  • וַיְכַל (vayekhal) – “finished” (v. 9, 14, 38): This verb shares the same root as כָּלִיל (kalil – “whole/perfect”), indicating not mere completion but perfect fulfillment of the divine design. It echoes the language of creation when God “finished” His work (Genesis 2:1-2).
  • זָהָב סָגוּר (zahav sagur) – “pure gold” (v. 20-21): Literally “closed/shut-up gold,” this phrase indicates gold of the highest purity, reserved for the most sacred elements of the Temple. Its use symbolized the supreme value and perfection of God’s presence.

Compare & Contrast

  • The precise date given in verse 1 (“480th year… fourth year… second month”) uses chronological specificity rather than general timeframes, emphasizing the historical reality and significance of this divine milestone.
  • The prohibition against using iron tools at the construction site (v. 7) deliberately contrasts with pagan temple practices where metalworking and construction noise were common, establishing a theology of reverent preparation versus on-site manufacturing.
  • The measurements are provided in cubits rather than royal standards, connecting the Temple to human scale (a cubit being the length from elbow to fingertip) rather than arbitrary imperial measurements.
  • The inner sanctuary is described as a perfect cube (20x20x20 cubits) rather than a rectangle, symbolizing mathematical perfection in three dimensions where God’s presence dwelled.
  • The text specifies olive wood for the cherubim instead of the acacia wood used in the Tabernacle, reflecting the shift from wilderness provision to agricultural abundance in the Promised Land.
  • The Temple’s east-west orientation follows the Tabernacle pattern rather than adopting north-south alignments common in other ancient Near Eastern temples, maintaining continuity with Mosaic worship.
  • The text describes chambers “around” (סָבִיב – saviv) the Temple rather than incorporating them within the main structure, preserving the conceptual integrity of the central sacred space.

1 Kings 6 Unique Insights

The Temple’s architectural design incorporated significant symbolic elements that Jewish tradition has long recognized. The Talmud (Yoma 54a) notes that the Holy of Holies represented the cosmic center from which creation expanded, while the Midrash Tanchuma observes that the three-tiered side chambers symbolized the three realms of existence: underwater, earth, and heavens.

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Rabbi Judah Loew (the Maharal of Prague) noted that the seven years of Temple construction paralleled the seven days of creation, establishing the sanctuary as a microcosm of the universe itself—a “world in miniature” where heaven and earth intersected. This concept of the Temple as a cosmic mountain where God’s presence descended to meet humanity is reinforced by the elevated location on Mount Moriah.

The absence of windows in the inner sanctuary (Holy of Holies) contrasted with the windows in the main hall, reflecting different theological realities. The main hall received natural light through narrowed windows, symbolizing how divine wisdom filters into human understanding, while the Holy of Holies required no external light as it was illuminated by God’s presence itself.

The extensive use of wood carvings depicting palm trees, open flowers, and cherubim created an environment that echoed the Garden of Eden—a return to paradise where humanity could again walk with God. The Zohar (though a later text) develops this idea, seeing the Temple as the restoration of Eden’s perfect communion between God and humanity.

The divine promise in verses 12-13 that God would dwell among the Israelites connects Temple construction with covenant fulfillment. Yet remarkably, this promise comes with conditions, revealing the tension between divine faithfulness and human responsibility that would ultimately lead to the Temple’s destruction when the conditions were abandoned.

1 Kings 6 Connections to Yeshua

The Temple’s design and purpose find their ultimate fulfillment in Yeshua the Messiah. While Solomon spent seven years building the physical Temple, Yeshua declared, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up” (John 2:19), referring to His body as the true Temple. The perfect cube of the Holy of Holies foreshadows the New Jerusalem described in Revelation 21:16, which is also a perfect cube—the ultimate dwelling place of God with humanity.

The overlaying of the Temple with gold symbolizes how Yeshua’s divine nature covered His human nature without diminishing either, creating a perfect meeting place between God and humanity. Just as the Temple veil separated the Holy of Holies, Yeshua’s flesh served as a “veil” that was torn at His crucifixion (Hebrews 10:19-20), granting direct access to God’s presence.

The careful preparation of stones away from the Temple site so that no iron tool was heard during assembly parallels how Yeshua silently prepares living stones (1 Peter 2:5) through the quiet work of the Holy Spirit before assembling them into His spiritual temple. Just as Solomon’s Temple faced east, anticipating God’s arrival, the Messiah will return from the east (Matthew 24:27) to establish His eternal Temple-Kingdom.

1 Kings 6 Scriptural Echoes

This chapter connects deeply with numerous biblical passages. The Temple dimensions and features mirror yet expand upon the Tabernacle design in Exodus 25-27. The timing mentioned in verse 1 creates a deliberate link to the Exodus, while the seven-year construction period echoes the seven days of creation in Genesis 1.

The promise in verses 12-13 fulfills the Davidic covenant (2 Samuel 7:12-16) while anticipating later prophetic warnings about Temple destruction (Jeremiah 7:1-15). The cherubim in the Holy of Holies connect to those guarding Eden (Genesis 3:24) and those above the Ark (Exodus 25:18-22).

The Temple’s completion in 1 Kings 8 when God’s glory fills the space fulfills Moses’ vision in Exodus 40:34-38 and prefigures the Holy Spirit filling believers (Acts 2:1-4), the new living Temple of God.

1 Kings 6 Devotional

The meticulous attention to detail in Solomon’s Temple construction reminds us that excellence honors God. No aspect was too small to be overlooked, from the foundational stones to the gold-covered cherubim. In our service to God, we too should pursue excellence as an act of worship, remembering that what we build for God reflects our valuation of Him.

The prohibition against using iron tools at the Temple site teaches us about proper preparation. The noisy, dusty work of shaping stones happened elsewhere, so that assembly occurred in reverent quietness. Similarly, our spiritual formation often happens through unseen preparation before public ministry. God frequently shapes us in hidden places before positioning us in His temple-building work.

God’s conditional promise to dwell among His people (v. 12-13) reminds us of the balance between divine grace and human responsibility. While we cannot earn God’s presence, we are called to create space for Him through obedience and reverence. As Yeshua said, “If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him” (John 14:23). Our obedience doesn’t earn God’s presence, but it creates the conditions where His presence can be manifest.

Did You Know

  • The 480 years mentioned in verse 1 represents exactly 12 generations of 40 years each, suggesting this may be a theological rather than strictly chronological numbering system.
  • The Temple’s footprint was relatively small by modern standards—approximately 90 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 45 feet high for the main structure.
  • The “side chambers” formed three stories of rooms surrounding the Temple on three sides (north, west, and south), growing wider on each ascending level through the use of offset ledges.
  • The month “Ziv” mentioned in verse 1 corresponds to our April-May and means “brightness” or “flower month,” connecting Temple construction with the season of natural renewal.
  • The Temple faced east, requiring worshippers to turn their backs to the rising sun—a deliberate contrast to pagan sun worship common in surrounding cultures.
  • No iron tools were permitted at the construction site because iron was associated with warfare and death, deemed inappropriate for building a house of peace and life.
  • The inner sanctuary (Holy of Holies) formed a perfect cube, 20 cubits in each dimension, prefiguring the cubic New Jerusalem described in Revelation.
  • The olive wood cherubim in the Holy of Holies stood 15 feet tall with wingspans of 15 feet, creating a dramatic and awe-inspiring space.
  • The “Bul” month mentioned in verse 38 (October-November) means “produce” or “rain month,” marking the beginning of the rainy season—symbolically appropriate for completing a dwelling for God who brings rain and fertility.
  • Building the Temple took 7 years and 6 months—half a sabbatical cycle—emphasizing its connection to divine timing patterns established at creation.

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Jean Paul Joseph
Jean Paul Joseph

After a dramatic early morning encounter with King Jesus, I just couldn’t put my Bible down. The F.O.G took a hold of me and this website was born. What is the F.O.G?

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