1 And 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.
2 And 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.
3 And 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.
4 And for the house he made windows of narrow lights.
5 And 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:
6 The 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.
7 And 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.
8 The 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.
9 So he built the house, and finished it; and covered the house with beams and boards of cedar.
10 And then he built chambers against all the house, five cubits high: and they rested on the house with timber of cedar.
11 And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying,
12 Concerning 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:
13 And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.
14 So Solomon built the house, and finished it.
15 And he built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar, both the floor of the house, and the walls of the ceiling: and he covered them on the inside with wood, and covered the floor of the house with planks of fir.
16 And 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.
17 And the house, that is, the temple before it, was forty cubits long.
18 And the cedar of the house within was carved with knops and open flowers: all was cedar; there was no stone seen.
19 And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
20 And 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.
21 So 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.
22 And 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.
23 And within the oracle he made two cherubim of olive tree, each ten cubits high.
24 And 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.
25 And the other cherub was ten cubits: both the cherubim were of one measure and one size.
26 The height of the one cherub was ten cubits, and so was it of the other cherub.
27 And he set the cherubim within the inner house: and they stretched forth the wings of the cherubim, 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 And he overlaid the cherubim with gold.
29 And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubim and palm trees and open flowers, within and without.
30 And the floors of the house he overlaid with gold, within and without.
31 And for the entering of the oracle he made doors of olive tree: the lintel and side posts were a fifth part of the wall.
32 The two doors also were of olive tree; and he carved upon them carvings of cherubim and palm trees and open flowers, and overlaid them with gold, and spread gold upon the cherubim, and upon the palm trees.
33 So also made he for the door of the temple posts of olive tree, a fourth part of the wall.
34 And 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.
35 And he carved thereon cherubim and palm trees and open flowers: and covered them with gold fitted upon the carved work.
36 And he built the inner court with three rows of hewed stone, and a row of cedar beams.
37 In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the LORD laid, in the month Zif:
38 And 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.
Chapter 6 of the book of 1 Kings in the KJV Holy Bible is a continuation of the story of King Solomon and his reign over Israel. This chapter focuses on the construction of the temple in Jerusalem, which was one of the greatest achievements of Solomon's reign. It provides a detailed account of the materials used, the dimensions, and the intricate design of the temple. This chapter also highlights the importance of the temple in the religious and cultural identity of the Israelites.
1. The Construction of the Temple
The main theme of Chapter 6 is the construction of the temple in Jerusalem. King Solomon was determined to build a magnificent temple for the Lord, and he spared no expense in making it a grand and glorious structure. The chapter begins by stating that it took seven years to build the temple, and it was completed in the eighth month of the eleventh year of Solomon's reign. This emphasizes the importance and significance of the temple in the religious and cultural life of the Israelites.
2. The Materials Used for the Temple
The chapter also provides a detailed account of the materials used for the construction of the temple. King Solomon used the finest and most expensive materials, including cedar wood, gold, and precious stones. The temple was overlaid with pure gold, and the walls were adorned with precious stones. This highlights the grandeur and opulence of the temple and reflects the wealth and power of King Solomon.
3. The Dimensions and Design of the Temple
The chapter also describes the dimensions and design of the temple. The temple was rectangular in shape and measured 60 cubits long, 20 cubits wide, and 30 cubits high. It had three parts – the Holy Place, the Most Holy Place, and the porch. The interior of the temple was decorated with intricate carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, all overlaid with gold. This reflects the attention to detail and the skilled craftsmanship that went into the construction of the temple.
4. The Significance of the Temple
The temple held great significance for the Israelites. It was not just a physical structure but also a symbol of their identity as the chosen people of God. The temple was the place where they could worship and offer sacrifices to God, and it was a constant reminder of their covenant with Him. The construction of the temple also fulfilled a promise made by God to King David, who desired to build a house for the Lord but was unable to do so.
Chapter 6 of 1 Kings holds great significance in the biblical narrative. It not only provides a detailed account of the construction of the temple but also teaches important lessons about faith, obedience, and the presence of God.
1. The Importance of Obedience
King Solomon's determination to build a magnificent temple for the Lord reflects his obedience to God. He followed the instructions given to him by his father, King David, and fulfilled the promise he made to the Lord. This teaches us the importance of obedience to God's commands and the blessings that come with it.
2. The Presence of God
The temple was the dwelling place of God on earth, and it was a physical representation of His presence among His people. The intricate design and opulence of the temple reflected the greatness and majesty of God. This teaches us that God desires to dwell among His people and that He deserves the best that we can offer.
3. The Fulfillment of God's Promises
The construction of the temple also fulfilled a promise made by God to King David. This reminds us that God is faithful to His promises and that He keeps His word. It also teaches us to trust in God's timing and to wait patiently for His promises to be fulfilled.
4. The Importance of Worship
The temple was the central place of worship for the Israelites. It was where they could come into the presence of God, offer sacrifices, and seek forgiveness for their sins. This teaches us the importance of worship in our relationship with God and the need to have a designated place for it.
5. The Symbolism of the Temple
The temple was not just a physical structure but also a symbol of the spiritual relationship between God and His people. The Holy Place represented the presence of God, the Most Holy Place represented His holiness, and the porch represented the gateway to God. This teaches us that our physical surroundings can also reflect our spiritual state.
In conclusion, Chapter 6 of 1 Kings provides a detailed account of the construction of the temple in Jerusalem. It highlights the importance of the temple in the religious and cultural identity of the Israelites and teaches important lessons about faith, obedience, and the presence of God. It also reminds us of the fulfillment of God's promises and the importance of worship in our relationship with Him. The temple is a symbol of God's dwelling among His people and serves as a reminder of His faithfulness and greatness.
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