1 Kings Chapters 6,7,8,9,10 Commentary

Page 1

First Kings Chapters 6-10 Chapter 6 6:1 The chronological information in this verse is very important, for it enables us to date the Exodus with precision. The fourth year of Solomon’s reign would have been 967-966 B.C., thus 480 years earlier in 1446-1445 B.C., the children of Israel came out of bondage. The second month of Ziv, is equivalent to our April-May. “Ziv” the Hebrew name for the second month, is found only here. Three other Hebrew month names are mentioned in the Old Testament. Abib, the first month, Ethanim, the seventh month, and Bul, the eighth month, in the centuries to come the Jews would adopt Babylonian names of the months during the period of captivity. The Temple was double the dimensions of the tabernacle (Exodus 26:16,18). If we assume that a cubit was 18 inches, then the Temple was about 90 feet long, 30 feet wide, and 45 feet high. 6:3 The porch or portico in front of the temple, extended across the entire front and was 15 feet deep. 6:4 Most scholars are inclined to regard the windows as being made of fixed lattices, as to the number of the Temple widows, the text is silent. This may indicate windows of close or small lattice work which allowed for air circulation, but at the same time cut down on the glare of bright light on the inside. 6:5-6 Around the outside wall of the entire building (except the front), were three stories of staggered width which were divided by partitions into distinct compartments. These compartments served as storage chambers for temple treasures and gifts, and lodging for priests. “At each level of the side rooms, the thickness of the wall was decreased by a half cubit on the outside wall and similarly on the inside wall so that the floor beam rested on the resulting offset ledge. By this means the beams had supports without being inserted or bonded into the inner temple wall” (Gaebelein p. 63). 6:7 The various portions of the temple were carefully shaped at their quarries, then fitted, without hammering, on site. Such stones were so carefully prepared that no sound of any iron tool was heard at the temple site. Apparently, this was done to maintain the dignity and sanctity of this holy place during construction. 6:8 The entrance to the side room was on the right (south) side. Access to the second and third levels is most often understood to have been by

1


Turn static files into dynamic content formats.

Create a flipbook
Issuu converts static files into: digital portfolios, online yearbooks, online catalogs, digital photo albums and more. Sign up and create your flipbook.