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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.
Here it is indicated that there were four symbols of cherubim, palm trees, narcissus and lilies, which we said represent the saints praying in the temple and contemplating divine things. And these same saints were foreshadowed with a similar sense by Moses, even though he used different symbols, when he distributed the tribes of his people in four groups to the four regions of the world, so that they might all live around the tabernacle. Indeed, the tabernacle represented the person of God, whom he wanted them to contemplate and to observe constantly.
Solomon makes cherubim in the temple walls when the Lord grants to his elect to guide their lives according to the rule of the holy Scriptures, which contain a great store of knowledge. He makes cherubim when he teaches them to imitate in this world, according to their limited capacity, the chastity of the life of angels, and this is done particularly by vigils and the divine praises, by sincere love of the Creator and the neighbor. He makes palm trees when he fixes in their minds the thought of their eternal reward so that the more they have the reward of righteousness ever before the eyes of their hearts, the less likely are they to fall from the pinnacle of uprightness. He makes several representations, as it were, standing out in relief from the wall when he assigns to the faithful the manifold functions of the virtues, for instance, “compassion, kindness, lowliness, patience and self-restraint, to show forbearance toward one another and forgive one another and above all these things” to have “love, which is the bond of perfection.” That is to say, these virtues, when they become such a habit with the elect that they seem, as it were, to be naturally ingrained in them, what else are they than the pictures of the Lord’s house done in relief as if they were coming out of the wall, because they no longer learn the words and works of truth extrinsically from others but have them deeply rooted within themselves. Holding them in constant readiness, they can bring forth from their inmost hearts what ought to be done and taught.
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SUMMARY
1 Kings 6:29 provides a meticulous description of the intricate artistry adorning the interior walls of Solomon's Temple, detailing the pervasive carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. This verse highlights the profound dedication to beauty, theological symbolism, and comprehensive excellence in the construction of a sacred space intended as the dwelling place for the Lord's glorious presence, reflecting Israel's deep reverence and intentional approach to worship.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
1 Kings 6:29 employs several potent literary devices to convey its message effectively. Imagery is paramount, as the verse paints a vivid and detailed picture of the Temple's interior, allowing the reader to visualize the intricate carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers. This rich visual description contributes significantly to the sense of awe and reverence associated with the sacred space. Symbolism is deeply embedded in each carved element: the cherubim symbolize divine presence, holiness, and guardianship of the sacred; the palm trees represent life, righteousness, victory, and flourishing; and the open flowers convey beauty, new life, and the intricate detail of God's creation. These symbols collectively transform the physical structure into a profound theological statement, reflecting the character of God and the nature of His dwelling. Furthermore, the phrase "all the walls of the house round about... within and without" utilizes Emphasis through comprehensive scope and a sense of totality, highlighting the pervasive and complete nature of the adornment and underscoring the meticulous dedication to excellence in constructing God's house.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The elaborate decoration of Solomon's Temple, as described in 1 Kings 6:29, powerfully communicates God's desire for beauty, excellence, and symbolic richness in worship. It reveals that the sacred space was not merely functional but was designed to evoke a profound sense of awe, holiness, and the abundant life found in God's presence. The cherubim reminded worshippers of God's transcendent glory and the guarded nature of His holiness, while the natural motifs of palm trees and flowers pointed to His role as Creator and the source of all life and blessing. This physical Temple, adorned with such care, served as a tangible representation of spiritual realities, foreshadowing a deeper, more profound dwelling of God among His people and underscoring the principle that our offerings to God should always reflect our highest reverence and commitment.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous artistry described in 1 Kings 6:29 offers profound insights for contemporary believers. While we no longer worship in a physical temple of stone and gold, the principle of offering our very best to God remains paramount. The beauty and intentionality of the Temple's design challenge us to consider the quality of our own spiritual lives and corporate worship. Are we "carving" our lives with devotion, excellence, and symbols that truly reflect God's glory? This verse reminds us that true worship involves not just our words and actions but also the beauty and integrity of our hearts, the sincerity of our intentions, and the environments we cultivate for communal worship. It encourages us to strive for excellence in all that we dedicate to Him, whether it is our time, talents, resources, or the physical spaces where we gather. Our lives, individually and corporately, should be adorned with spiritual beauty that invites reverence, fosters reflection, and communicates a deep sense of God's holy and abundant presence.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why were cherubim so prominent in the Temple's design?
Answer: Cherubim were prominent in the Temple's design because they are celestial beings intimately associated with God's presence, holiness, and glory throughout scripture. From guarding the way to the tree of life in Genesis 3:24 to being depicted on the Ark of the Covenant (Exodus 25:18-20) and serving as the living chariot of God's throne (Ezekiel 1:5-28), cherubim consistently signify the immediate vicinity of the divine. Their pervasive presence on the Temple walls served to emphasize that this was indeed God's holy dwelling place, a sanctuary where His transcendent glory resided and was protected. Their imagery reinforced the sacred boundary between the human and divine, reminding worshippers of God's awesome majesty.
What is the significance of palm trees and open flowers in the Temple's carvings?
Answer: Palm trees and open flowers carried rich symbolic meaning in the ancient world and for Israel. Palm trees (Hebrew, timmôr) often symbolized life, fertility, victory, prosperity, and righteousness (e.g., Psalm 92:12). Open flowers (Hebrew, tsîyts) represented beauty, new life, and the intricate detail of God's creation. Together, these natural motifs transformed the Temple into a visual representation of an Eden-like paradise, a place of abundant life and blessing, connecting the sacred space to God's creative power and His desire for His people to flourish in His presence. They evoked a sense of beauty, vitality, and the promise of renewal, suggesting the Temple was a place where life in its fullest sense could be experienced.
Does "within and without" mean the outside of the Temple was also carved?
Answer: While the KJV phrase "within and without" can sometimes imply both interior and exterior surfaces, in the specific context of 1 Kings 6:29, which details the interior adornment of the Temple's walls, it most likely refers to the comprehensive decoration of all interior wall surfaces. This could include the inner and outer faces of internal partitions (such as the wall separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place) or simply emphasizes the thoroughness of the internal artistry, ensuring that every visible surface within the Temple's sacred confines was adorned with these symbolic carvings. The primary focus of 1 Kings 6 is on the construction and decoration of the Temple's inner sanctum, highlighting that no interior space was left unadorned.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The elaborate beauty and profound symbolism of Solomon's Temple, particularly its intricate carvings of cherubim, palm trees, and open flowers, find their ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in Jesus Christ. The physical Temple, designed as God's dwelling place among His people, was merely a shadow of the true and perfect Temple—Jesus Himself. As the Incarnate Word, Christ is the very embodiment of God's presence, the one in whom "all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form" (Colossians 2:9). He boldly declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring to the temple of His own body, which was resurrected (John 2:19-21). The cherubim, symbolizing divine presence, holiness, and guarded access, point to Christ as the perfect revelation of God, the one through whom we now have confident access to the Holy of Holies by His blood (Hebrews 10:19-20). The palm trees and open flowers, representing life, flourishing, and an Edenic paradise, are fully realized in Christ, who is the source of abundant life (John 10:10) and the "firstfruits" of a new creation, ushering in a spiritual reality far surpassing the physical garden. Furthermore, the Church, as the body of Christ, becomes a "spiritual house" and a "holy temple in the Lord," built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone (Ephesians 2:20-22). Ultimately, the vision of the New Jerusalem, where there is no longer need for a physical temple because "the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple" (Revelation 21:22), signifies the complete and eternal fulfillment of God's desire to dwell perfectly and beautifully with His people through the redemptive work of Christ.