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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.
As regards the first part of his statement, namely, “he made little doors of olive wood,” he seems to have wanted to explain this more clearly when he added “and two doors of olive wood.” For there was one entrance to the oracle. But this entrance was closed by two doors and was opened again when they were unlocked, just as the temple and the portico before the temple no longer had an entrance. They give rise to a certain mystery because [since there is] “one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God,” we must hope for one entrance into the present church after baptism and one entrance into the heavenly kingdom through works of faith.
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SUMMARY
1 Kings 6:31 offers a meticulous architectural detail concerning the construction of the doors to the "oracle," the innermost and most sacred chamber of Solomon's Temple. These pivotal doors, along with their lintel and side posts, were fashioned from the highly symbolic olive wood and precisely engineered to be a substantial one-fifth the thickness of the surrounding wall. This verse underscores the profound sacredness, robust security, and divine precision that governed access to God's most immediate dwelling place, highlighting the Temple's grandeur and the awe-inspiring holiness of the sanctuary.
CONTEXT
Literary Context: This verse is intricately woven into the expansive and highly detailed biblical account of King Solomon's construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem, a narrative that spans from 1 Kings 6 through 1 Kings 8. Following the initial preparations for the Temple's construction and the commencement of the building project (1 Kings 5), the text shifts to the precise architectural specifications, the materials employed, and the intricate internal design of the sacred edifice. 1 Kings 6:31 specifically zeroes in on the innermost sanctuary, referred to as the "oracle" or the Holy of Holies, which was the most consecrated space, designated to house the Ark of the Covenant. The meticulous description of these particular doors, appearing after the general layout of the Temple and preceding the detailed account of the cherubim within the oracle, emphatically highlights the critical importance of controlling and defining access to God's immediate and holy presence.
Historical & Cultural Context: Solomon's Temple represented a monumental undertaking, symbolizing the zenith of Israelite power, wealth, and spiritual focus during his reign (approximately 970-931 BC). In contrast to the portable Tabernacle that preceded it, this was a permanent, fixed structure, signifying God's settled and enduring presence among His chosen people in Jerusalem, the newly established capital. The lavish use of premium materials such as cedar, cypress, pure gold, and, as specified in this verse, olive wood, testifies to the immense resources available to Solomon, often secured through strategic trade agreements and alliances (e.g., with Hiram of Tyre, as documented in 1 Kings 5). While architectural precision and the distinct separation of sacred spaces were common features in ancient Near Eastern temples, in Israel, these elements served a unique theological purpose: to underscore the singular holiness, transcendence, and ineffable nature of Yahweh, setting Him apart from the polytheistic deities worshipped by surrounding nations. The "oracle" was the most restricted area, mirroring the concept of a divine throne room, accessible exclusively to the High Priest, and only once a year on the solemn Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), as prescribed in Leviticus 16:2.
Key Themes: The intricate details presented in 1 Kings 6:31 contribute significantly to several overarching theological and narrative themes prevalent within the book of Kings and the broader biblical canon. Firstly, it powerfully underscores the Sacredness and Holiness of God's Presence. The "oracle" was conceived as the very dwelling place of God's glory, and every single detail, from the choice of materials to the restricted nature of its access, profoundly communicated its unparalleled sanctity. Secondly, the verse emphasizes Divine Precision and Uncompromising Craftsmanship, reflecting the deeply held conviction that God's dwelling place demanded the absolute highest quality and exact adherence to divine specifications, echoing the meticulous instructions given for the construction of the Tabernacle in Exodus 25:9. This unwavering attention to detail highlights the profound reverence due to God and the inherent order within His divine economy. Lastly, the presence and robust construction of the doors of the oracle powerfully symbolize the Limited Access to God's Immediate Presence under the Old Covenant. This formidable physical barrier served as a stark reminder of the separation between a perfectly holy God and sinful humanity, a profound theological truth that would later find its ultimate resolution and fulfillment in the New Testament (Hebrews 9:8).
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices to convey its profound meaning and significance. Precision and Detail are paramount, evident in the specific measurements ("a fifth part") and the exact material ("olive tree"), which serve to emphasize the meticulous care, divine instruction, and unparalleled craftsmanship involved in the Temple's construction, reflecting God's demand for excellence and order in His dwelling. Symbolism is deeply embedded in the choice of "olive tree," which, beyond its practical qualities, carries rich connotations of anointing, divine presence, sacredness, purity, and enduring covenant, making it profoundly fitting for the entry to the Holy of Holies. The very existence of such robust and weighty "doors" and their substantial construction functions as a powerful Metaphor for the limited and controlled access to God's presence under the Old Covenant, highlighting the inherent separation between the perfectly holy divine and sinful humanity, and underscoring the profound holiness of the sanctuary.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The construction of the doors to the oracle, as meticulously described in 1 Kings 6:31, profoundly communicates the absolute holiness and transcendence of God. The painstaking detail, the use of precious materials, and the robust construction all serve to emphasize that God's presence is not to be approached lightly but with the utmost reverence, awe, and humility. The strictly restricted access, powerfully symbolized by these weighty doors, underscored the stark reality of humanity's sin and the necessary separation from a perfectly holy God. This formidable architectural barrier was a tangible, physical manifestation of a profound theological truth: direct, unmediated access to God was not yet fully available to all people, thereby foreshadowing the indispensable need for a greater High Priest and a new covenant that would ultimately bridge this divine-human divide.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed description of the doors leading into the oracle serves as a profound and enduring reminder of God's absolute holiness and the deep reverence due to Him. In a contemporary world that often tends to trivialize the sacred or approach spiritual matters casually, this verse powerfully calls us to cultivate a profound sense of awe, respect, and intentionality in our relationship with God. While the physical Temple no longer stands and the literal barrier to God's presence has been gloriously removed through the finished work of Christ, the underlying principle of intentionality, excellence, and profound respect in worship remains vitally important. We are now invited to approach God with boldness and confidence, yet always with profound humility and immense gratitude, recognizing the immeasurable cost of the open access we now freely enjoy. Our lives, our acts of worship, and our devoted service should reflect the same meticulous care, unwavering dedication, and pursuit of excellence that Solomon applied to the construction of God's dwelling place, prompting us to offer Him our very best in every sphere of our existence.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
What was the "oracle" in Solomon's Temple?
Answer: The "oracle" (Hebrew: dᵉbîyr, H1687) was the innermost sanctuary of Solomon's Temple, also known as the Most Holy Place or Holy of Holies. It was the most sacred and restricted area, designed as a perfect cube (1 Kings 6:20), and its sole purpose was to house the Ark of the Covenant, which symbolized God's throne and His immediate, glorious presence among His people. It was distinct from the Holy Place and was accessible only to the High Priest, and only once a year, on the solemn Day of Atonement (Yom Kippur), for the express purpose of offering sacrifices for the sins of the people (Leviticus 16).
Why were the doors made of olive wood?
Answer: Olive wood was chosen for the doors of the oracle for several profound reasons, both practical and symbolic. Practically, it is a dense, exceptionally durable, and beautiful wood, making it suitable for such a critical structural element. Symbolically, the olive tree was highly revered in ancient Israel. It was the primary source of olive oil (shemen, H8081), which was indispensable for anointing priests and kings, for illuminating the menorah in the Tabernacle and Temple, and for various offerings. Consequently, olive wood carried rich connotations of anointing, consecration, light, peace, divine blessing, and enduring covenant. Its use for the doors leading to God's most sacred dwelling profoundly underscored the holiness, consecrated nature, and divine favor associated with the space, fitting for the entry to the very presence of God.
What does "the lintel and side posts were a fifth part of the wall" mean?
Answer: This phrase describes a precise architectural dimension of the doorframe leading into the oracle. It indicates that the thickness of the lintel (the horizontal beam situated above the doorway) and the side posts (the vertical supports on either side of the entrance) was exactly equal to one-fifth of the thickness of the surrounding wall itself. While the precise thickness of the oracle's wall is not explicitly stated, if we infer from the inner dimensions of the oracle (e.g., 20 cubits long, 20 cubits wide, 20 cubits high, as in 1 Kings 6:20), and assuming substantial outer walls, a "fifth part" would imply an exceptionally robust and weighty doorframe. For example, if the wall was 10 cubits thick, the doorframe would be 2 cubits thick. This detail highlights the monumental scale, the incredibly robust construction, and the deliberate creation of a weighty, secure, and visually imposing barrier to the Most Holy Place, emphasizing the profound sacredness and deliberate restriction of access to God's presence.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The meticulously crafted doors of olive wood, forming a substantial and imposing barrier to the "oracle," powerfully symbolize the limited and restricted access to God's immediate presence under the Old Covenant. This physical separation within the Temple underscored the profound holiness of God and humanity's inherent inability, due to sin, to approach Him directly or casually. However, this barrier was never intended to be God's final word. In Christ, we witness the glorious and ultimate fulfillment and radical transformation of this restricted access. The dramatic tearing of the Temple veil from top to bottom at the moment of Jesus' crucifixion (Matthew 27:51) unequivocally signified that the way into the Most Holy Place, into God's very presence, was now opened wide through His perfect and sacrificial death. Jesus Himself is declared to be the new and living way (Hebrews 10:19-20), the ultimate High Priest who has entered the heavenly sanctuary once for all, securing eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11-12). Through saving faith in Him, believers are now invited to draw near to God's throne of grace with boldness and confidence (Hebrews 4:16), no longer separated by physical doors of wood or a symbolic veil, but intimately united to God through the indwelling Holy Spirit, becoming living temples ourselves (1 Corinthians 6:19).