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Commentary on 1 Kings 6 verses 15–38
Here, I. We have a particular account of the details of the building.
1.The wainscot of the temple. It was of cedar (Kg1 6:15), which was strong and durable, and of a very sweet smell. The wainscot was curiously carved with knops (like eggs or apples) and flowers, no doubt as the fashion then was, Kg1 6:18.
2.The gilding. It was not like ours, washed over, but the whole house, all the inside of the temple (Kg1 6:22), even the floor (Kg1 6:30), he overlaid with gold, and the most holy place with pure gold, Kg1 6:21. Solomon would spare no expense necessary to make it every way sumptuous. Gold was under foot there, as it should be in all the living temples: the abundance of it lessened its worth.
3.The oracle, or speaking-place (for so the word signifies), the holy of holies, so called because thence God spoke to Moses, and perhaps to the high priest, when he consulted with the breast-plate of judgment. In this place the ark of the covenant was to be set, Kg1 6:19. Solomon made every thing new, and more magnificent than it had been, except the ark, which was still the same that Moses made, with its mercy-seat and cherubim; that was the token of God's presence, which is always the same with his people whether they meet in tent or temple, and changes not with their condition.
4.The cherubim. Besides those at the ends of the mercy-seat, which covered the ark, (1.) Solomon set up two more, very large ones, images of young men (as some think), with wings made of olive-wood, and all overlaid with gold, Kg1 6:23, etc. This most holy place was much larger than that in the tabernacle, and therefore the ark would have seemed lost in it, and the dead wall would have been unsightly, if it had not been thus adorned. (2.) He carved cherubim upon all the walls of the house, Kg1 6:29. The heathen set up images of their gods and worshipped them; but these were designed to represent the servants and attendants of the God of Israel, the holy angels, not to be themselves worshipped (see thou do it not), but to show how great he is whom we are to worship.
5.The doors. The folding doors that led into the oracle were but a fifth part of the wall (Kg1 6:31), those into the temple were a fourth part (Kg1 6:33); but both were beautified with cherubim engraven on them, Kg1 6:32, Kg1 6:35.
6.The inner court, in which the brazen altar was at which the priests ministered. This was separated from the court where the people were by a low wall, three rows of hewn stone tipped with a cornice of cedar (Kg1 6:36), that over it the people might see what was done and hear what the priests said to them; for, even under that dispensation, they were not kept wholly either in the dark or at a distance.
7.The time spent in this building. It was but seven years and a half from the founding to the finishing of it, Kg1 6:38. Considering the vastness and elegance of the building, and the many appurtenances to it which were necessary to fit it for use, it was soon done. Solomon was in earnest in it, had money enough, had nothing to divert him from it, and many hands made quick work. He finished it (as the margin reads it) with all the appurtenances thereof, and with all the ordinances thereof, not only built the place, but set forward the work for which it was built.
II. Let us now see what was typified by this temple. 1. Christ is the true temple; he himself spoke of the temple of his body, Joh 2:21. God himself prepared him his body, Heb 10:5. In him dwelt the fulness of the Godhead, as the Shechinah in the temple. In him meet all God's spiritual Israel. Through him we have access with confidence to God. All the angels of God, those blessed cherubim, have a charge to worship him. 2. Every believer is a living temple, in whom the Spirit of God dwells, Co1 3:16. Even the body is such by virtue of its union with the soul, Co1 6:19. We are not only wonderfully made by the divine providence, but more wonderfully made anew by the divine grace. This living temple is built upon Christ as its foundation and will be perfected in due time. 3. The gospel church is the mystical temple; it grows to a holy temple in the Lord (Eph 2:21), enriched and beautified with the gifts and graces of the Spirit, as Solomon's temple with gold and precious stones. Only Jews built the tabernacle, but Gentiles joined with them in building the temple. Even strangers and foreigners are built up a habitation of God, Eph 2:19, Eph 2:22. The temple was divided into the holy place and the most holy, the courts of it into the outer and inner; so there are the visible and the invisible church. The door into the temple was wider than that into the oracle. Many enter into profession that come short of salvation. This temple is built firm, upon a rock, not to be taken down as the tabernacle of the Old Testament was. The temple was long in preparing, but was built at last. The top-stone of the gospel church will, at length, be brought forth with shoutings, and it is a pity that there should be the clashing of axes and hammers in the building of it. Angels are ministering spirits, attending the church on all sides and all the members of it. 4. Heaven is the everlasting temple. There the church will be fixed, and no longer movable. The streets of the new Jerusalem, in allusion to the flooring of the temple, are said to be of pure gold, Rev 21:21. The cherubim there always attend the throne of glory. The temple was uniform, and in heaven there is the perfection of beauty and harmony. In Solomon's temple there was no noise of axes and hammers. Every thing is quiet and serene in heaven; all that shall be stones in that building must in the present sate of probation and preparation be fitted and made ready for it, must be hewn and squared by divine grace, and so made meet for a place there.
The exposition of this has been anticipated to the effect, namely, that the secret inner house of our heavenly homeland designated the ark of the covenant, the Lord our Savior in whom alone we have a covenant of peace with the Father, [our Savior] who ascending into heaven after his resurrection placed at the right hand of his Father the flesh that he had taken from the Virgin.
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SUMMARY
meticulously describes the culmination of Solomon's architectural endeavor for the Temple's innermost sanctuary, known as the "oracle" or Most Holy Place. This sacred chamber was precisely designed and consecrated for one supreme purpose: to serve as the permanent dwelling for the Ark of the Covenant, the preeminent symbol of the LORD's tangible presence and His enduring covenant relationship with Israel. It underscores the profound reverence, divine intentionality, and meticulous craftsmanship invested in preparing the very heart of Israel's national worship center, signifying the paramount importance of God's dwelling among His people.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its profound theological and architectural significance. Symbolism is paramount, with the "oracle" serving as the ultimate symbol of God's immediate, holy presence on earth, and the Ark of the Covenant symbolizing God's throne, His covenant faithfulness, and His divine authority. The meticulous detail in describing how the "oracle" was "prepared" and the Ark "set" within it employs Emphasis, underscoring the extraordinary reverence, intentionality, and care demanded for God's dwelling place. Furthermore, the precise statement of purpose ("to set there the ark...") functions as a form of Teleology, highlighting the ultimate goal and divine design behind the Temple's construction. This teleological focus imbues the physical structure with spiritual meaning, pointing forward to the Temple's dedication and the subsequent infilling of God's glory, thereby establishing it as the definitive center of Israelite worship and divine encounter.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The preparation of the "oracle" for the Ark of the Covenant in 1 Kings 6:19 is replete with theological significance, primarily underscoring God's profound desire to dwell intimately among His people and the inherent sacredness of His presence. This act represents the culmination of a long redemptive journey, transitioning God's dwelling from the portable Tabernacle of the wilderness to a permanent, fixed sanctuary in Jerusalem, a testament to God's unwavering faithfulness to His covenant promises. The extreme sanctity of this inner chamber, accessible only to the High Priest once a year on the Day of Atonement, powerfully illustrates the holy, transcendent, and unapproachable nature of God, while simultaneously demonstrating His immanence in choosing to reside among His people. This dynamic tension between God's transcendence and His immanent desire for communion is a foundational and recurring theme throughout biblical theology.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
While the physical Temple and the Ark of the Covenant no longer exist in their original form, the profound spiritual principles embedded in 1 Kings 6:19 remain deeply relevant and transformative for believers today. This verse serves as a powerful reminder of the profound reverence due to God's presence and the meticulous care and intentionality we should invest in preparing our lives as dwelling places for Him. Just as the "oracle" was meticulously set apart and consecrated exclusively for God's presence, believers are called in the New Covenant to be holy, consecrated vessels for the indwelling Holy Spirit. The Apostle Paul teaches that our very bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, and the Church, as a collective body, is the spiritual dwelling place of God through the Spirit (Ephesians 2:22). This profound truth calls us to live lives characterized by purity, intentional worship, and continuous spiritual preparation, recognizing the sacredness of our relationship with God and the immeasurable privilege of His indwelling presence within us and among us.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the "oracle" in Solomon's Temple, and why was it so important?
Answer: The "oracle" (Hebrew: dĕbîr, H1687) was the innermost and most sacred chamber of Solomon's Temple, commonly known as the Most Holy Place or Holy of Holies. It was a perfectly cubic room, measuring twenty cubits in length, width, and height (1 Kings 6:20), and was entirely overlaid with pure gold. Its supreme importance stemmed from its designated, singular purpose: to house the Ark of the Covenant, which symbolized the very presence, throne, and covenant faithfulness of God among His people. It was considered the earthly dwelling place of the LORD, the place where God would "speak" to Israel from above the mercy seat of the Ark. This made it the absolute focal point of divine communication, revelation, and the ultimate symbol of God's immanent dwelling with humanity. Access to this chamber was strictly limited to the High Priest, and only once a year on the solemn Day of Atonement (Leviticus 16:2), underscoring its profound sanctity, exclusivity, and the awe-inspiring holiness of God.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulous preparation of the "oracle" in Solomon's Temple to house the Ark of the Covenant finds its profound and ultimate Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While the Temple served as a physical, earthly dwelling for God's presence, it was always a temporary shadow, a type pointing to a greater, eternal reality. Jesus Himself declared His body to be the true Temple, famously stating, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up" (referring to His resurrection). He is the ultimate locus of God's presence, the very Word made flesh, who tabernacled among us, making God fully known and accessible. Furthermore, just as the Ark contained the tablets of the Law, the manna, and Aaron's rod, Christ embodies the perfect fulfillment of the Law (Matthew 5:17), is the true bread from heaven who provides eternal life, and serves as our great High Priest who has entered the true, heavenly sanctuary—not made with hands—once for all, through His own blood (Hebrews 9:11-12). Through His atoning sacrifice, believers now have direct, unhindered access to God's presence, no longer confined to a physical "oracle" but having boldness to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, establishing a new and living way to communion with God.