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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 two cherubim can also stand for the two Testaments. These cherubim, no doubt, were made in the oracle because in the design of God’s providence, which is, of course, inaccessible and incomprehensible to us, it was arranged before the world began, when and how and by what authors sacred Scripture was to be written. They were made of olive wood because the divine books were composed by men “of mercy, whose godly deeds have not failed,” men who were enlightened by the unction of the Holy Spirit. They were made of olive wood because they afford us the light of knowledge with the help of the flame of God’s love that is poured forth in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. They are ten cubits high because by the observance of the Decalogue of the law they preach that God is to be served since they show that those who serve God faithfully are to be rewarded with the denarius of an everlasting kingdom. They have twin sets of wings because they proclaim that the Testaments have always, both in adversity and prosperity, pursued heavenly things with tireless resolve and attained to them, because they point out to their listeners that they must do exactly the same. Five cubits is the length of one cherub’s wing and five the length of the other’s since in all the fluctuations of transient things the saints lay all the senses of their eyes ever on the Lord. They desire to hear the sound of his praise and to recount all his wonderful works, considering his words are sweeter to their throats than honey and the honeycomb to their mouths. Running after the odor of his ointments and while there is breath left in them and the spirit of God in their nostrils, they do not speak evil with their lips or utter folly with their tongue. Thus going on their way “with the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the left,” they succeed in receiving the heavenly denarius that the supreme master of the household has promised to the workers in his vineyard.And the two cherubim formed one work because the writers of both documents served God with one and the same purity of work and devotedness of love and proclaim God with one harmonious voice and belief. What the New Testament relates as accomplished facts regarding the Lord’s incarnation, passion, resurrection and ascension, the calling of the Gentiles, the expulsion of the Jews and the manifold affliction of the church, these same facts the Old Testament, rightly understood, truthfully foretold as events that were to happen.
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SUMMARY
1 Kings 6:28 precisely details a significant aspect of Solomon's Temple construction: the complete overlaying of the two massive cherubim within the inner sanctuary with pure gold. This act was far more than mere ornamentation; it was deeply symbolic, underscoring the immeasurable glory, pristine purity, and profound sanctity of God's manifest presence. It unequivocally communicated the supreme value attributed to the divine dwelling place and the sacredness of the space where the Lord's presence was uniquely revealed, reflecting a meticulous adherence to divine instruction and an offering of the highest possible honor to the Almighty.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
Though concise, 1 Kings 6:28 employs significant literary devices to convey its profound meaning. Symbolism is paramount, with the gold-covered cherubim serving as powerful, multi-layered symbols. The cherubim themselves symbolize divine presence, the guardianship of holiness, and the very throne of God. Their colossal size and strategic placement within the debir amplify this symbolism, indicating the awesome, majestic, and inherently unapproachable nature of God's holiness. The gold symbolizes purity, divine glory, majesty, and immense value, transforming the carved wooden figures into a resplendent reflection of divine splendor. The very act of "overlaying" implies a complete transformation and consecration, signifying that the ordinary is made extraordinary, set apart for divine purposes. Furthermore, there is a strong element of Emphasis conveyed through material choice. The repeated and detailed mention of gold throughout the Temple's description, culminating in its application to these central, sacred figures, powerfully underscores the supreme value, reverence, and honor attributed to God's dwelling and everything associated with His presence. This emphasis highlights the qualitative difference between the earthly and the divine, asserting God's unparalleled worth and the sanctity of His abode.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The gold overlay of the cherubim in Solomon's Temple profoundly communicates the ineffable glory and absolute holiness of God. It signifies that God's presence demands the highest reverence, the purest materials, and the most dedicated craftsmanship, reflecting His intrinsic worth and the sacredness of His dwelling. This act was not about human ostentation but about offering the very best to the Divine. The cherubim, as symbolic guardians of God's presence, when covered in gold, became vivid, shimmering representations of the purity and majesty surrounding the divine throne, serving as a constant reminder to worshipers of the awesome, yet gracious, God who chose to dwell among His people. This dedication of the most precious resources foreshadows a greater reality: God's desire for a people who would offer themselves wholly to Him, reflecting His glory not in material gold, but in lives transformed by His Spirit, consecrated and set apart for His purposes.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The lavish gold covering of the cherubim in Solomon's Temple serves as a powerful and enduring reminder of the profound reverence and supreme worth due to God. It challenges us to deeply consider what "gold" we are offering in our own lives today, not in terms of material wealth, but in the quality of our devotion, the purity of our motives, and the sincerity of our worship. Just as every intricate detail of the Temple was consecrated and made precious for God's dwelling, so too should our lives be set apart for Him. We are called to offer our "best" – our time, our talents, our resources, and our deepest affections – as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God, as exhorted in Romans 12:1. This verse invites us to cultivate a profound sense of awe and wonder for God's holiness and glory, recognizing that His presence transforms and sanctifies everything it touches. It encourages us to live lives that reflect His splendor, not for our own fleeting glory, but as a vibrant testament to His immeasurable worth and sovereign majesty.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was so much gold used in the Temple, especially on the cherubim?
Answer: The extensive use of gold in the Temple, including the cherubim, was not primarily for human ostentation or to impress other nations with Solomon's wealth. Instead, it was profoundly symbolic, reflecting the divine glory, absolute purity, and transcendent holiness of God. Gold, being the most precious, incorruptible, and lustrous metal, was considered the most fitting material to represent the unparalleled majesty of the Lord. It unequivocally underscored the absolute worth of God and the sacredness of the space where His presence was uniquely manifested. This was in perfect keeping with the divine pattern for the Tabernacle, which also utilized significant amounts of gold (as detailed in Exodus 25:10-40), indicating that God's dwelling place demanded the very best and purest offerings from His people.
What is the significance of the cherubim in the Temple?
Answer: The cherubim in the Temple, particularly the two colossal figures in the Most Holy Place, served several profound symbolic roles. They were symbolic guardians of God's holiness and the sacred space, echoing their original role in guarding the Tree of Life in Eden. They also represented the divine throne or chariot, signifying God's sovereignty, His majestic presence, and His unapproachable holiness among His people. Their overshadowing of the Ark of the Covenant, though distinct from the smaller cherubim directly on the Ark itself, visually reinforced the idea that this was the very place where God's glory resided and where He communed with His people. They were a constant, awe-inspiring visual reminder of the transcendent nature of God's holiness and His supreme authority.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The gold-overlaid cherubim in Solomon's Temple, majestically guarding the Most Holy Place, powerfully foreshadowed the ultimate reality of God's dwelling among humanity in the person of Jesus Christ. The earthly Temple, with all its glorious furnishings and meticulously crafted elements, was a profound shadow pointing to Christ, who is the true and perfect Temple, the very embodiment of God's presence on earth. As John 1:14 so eloquently declares, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." In Christ, the fullness of God dwells bodily (Colossians 2:9), making Him the ultimate and most complete manifestation of divine glory and absolute holiness, infinitely surpassing any earthly structure overlaid with mere gold. Through His perfect, sacrificial death on the cross, the thick veil separating humanity from God's holy presence was definitively torn from top to bottom (Matthew 27:51), thereby opening a new and living way into the Most Holy Place. This access is granted not by the blood of animals or the mediation of earthly priests, but by the precious blood of Christ Himself (Hebrews 10:19-20). Thus, the gold-covered cherubim, once potent symbols of guarded access to God's presence, find their ultimate and glorious fulfillment in Christ, who is our direct, eternal, and sufficient access to the Father, making us, through Him, living temples where the Spirit of God now graciously dwells (Ephesians 2:19-22).