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<center><h1>Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary
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on the Whole Bible</h1>
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[<A HREF="MHC00000.HTM">Table of Contents</A>]<BR>
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Matthew Henry<BR><I>Commentary on the Whole Bible</I> (1708)
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<!-- (Begin Body) -->
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<CENTER>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+3><B>F I R S T K I N G S</B></FONT>
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<BR>
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<BR><FONT SIZE=+2>CHAP. VI.</FONT>
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<HR SIZE=1 WIDTH=50>
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<FONT SIZE=-1>
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<P>
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Great and long preparation had been making for the building of the
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temple, and here, at length, comes an account of the building of it; a
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noble piece of work it was, one of the wonders of the world, and taking
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in its spiritual significancy, one of the glories of the church. Here
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is,
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I. The time when it was built
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:1">ver. 1</A>),
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and how long it was in the building,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:37,38">ver. 37, 38</A>.
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II. The silence with which it was build,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:7">ver. 7</A>.
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III. The dimensions of it,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:2,3">ver. 2, 3</A>.
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IV. The message God sent to Solomon, when it was in the building,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:11-13">ver. 11-13</A>.
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V. The particulars: windows
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:4">ver. 4</A>),
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chambers
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:5,6,8-10">ver. 5, 6, 8-10</A>),
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the walls and flooring
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:15-18">ver. 15-18</A>),
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the oracle
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:19-22">ver. 19-22</A>),
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the cherubim
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:23-30">ver. 23-30</A>),
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the doors
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:31-35">ver. 31-35</A>),
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and the inner court,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:36">ver. 36</A>.
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Many learned men have well bestowed their pains in expounding the
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description here given of the temple according to the rules of
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architecture, and solving the difficulties which, upon search, they
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find in it; but in that matter, having nothing new to offer, we will
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not be particular or curious; it was then well understood, and every
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man's eyes that saw this glorious structure furnished him with the best
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critical exposition of this chapter.</P>
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</FONT>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_1"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_2"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_3"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_4"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_5"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_6"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_7"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_8"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_9"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_10"> </A>
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<A NAME="Sec1"> </A>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%" BORDER=0>
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<TR><TD><FONT SIZE=+1><I>The Building of the Temple.</I></FONT></TD>
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<TD ALIGN=RIGHT><FONT SIZE=-1>B. C.</FONT> 1011.</TD></TR>
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<TR><TD COLSPAN=2><HR SIZE=1></TD></TR>
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</TABLE>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>1 And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year
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after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt,
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in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month
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Zif, which <I>is</I> the second month, that he began to build the
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house of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
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2 And the house which king Solomon built for the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>, the
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length thereof <I>was</I> threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof
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twenty <I>cubits,</I> and the height thereof thirty cubits.
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3 And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits
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<I>was</I> the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house;
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<I>and</I> ten cubits <I>was</I> the breadth thereof before the house.
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4 And for the house he made windows of narrow lights.
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5 And against the wall of the house he built chambers round
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about, <I>against</I> the walls of the house round about, <I>both</I> of
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the temple and of the oracle: and he made chambers round about:
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6 The nethermost chamber <I>was</I> five cubits broad, and the
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middle <I>was</I> six cubits broad, and the third <I>was</I> seven cubits
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broad: for without <I>in the wall</I> of the house he made narrowed
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rests round about, that <I>the beams</I> should not be fastened in the
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walls of the house.
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7 And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone
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made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was
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neither hammer nor axe <I>nor</I> any tool of iron heard in the house,
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while it was in building.
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8 The door for the middle chamber <I>was</I> in the right side of
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the house: and they went up with winding stairs into the middle
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<I>chamber,</I> and out of the middle into the third.
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9 So he built the house, and finished it; and covered the house
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with beams and boards of cedar.
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10 And <I>then</I> he built chambers against all the house, five
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cubits high: and they rested on the house <I>with</I> timber of cedar.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here,
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I. The temple is called <I>the house of the Lord</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:1"><I>v.</I> 1</A>),
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because it was,
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1. Directed and modelled by him. Infinite Wisdom was the architect, and
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gave David the plan or pattern by the Spirit, not by word of mouth
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only, but, for the greater certainty and exactness, in writing
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+28:11,12">1 Chron. xxviii. 11, 12</A>),
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as he had given to Moses in the mouth a draught of the tabernacle.
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2. Dedicated and devoted to him and to his honour, to be employed in
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his service, so his as never any other house was, for he manifested his
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glory in it (so as never in any other) in a way agreeable to that
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dispensation; for, when there were carnal ordinances, there was a
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<I>worldly sanctuary,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+9:1,10">Heb. ix. 1, 10</A>.
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This gave it its <I>beauty of holiness,</I> that it was <I>the house of
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the Lord,</I> which far transcended all its other beauties.</P>
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<P>
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II. The time when it began to be built is exactly set down.
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1. It was just 480 years after the bringing of the children of Israel
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out of Egypt. Allowing forty years to Moses, seventeen to Joshua, 299
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to the Judges, forty to Eli, forty to Samuel and Saul, forty to David,
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and four to Solomon before he began the work, we have just the sum of
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480. So long it was after that holy state was founded before that holy
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house was built, which, in less than 430 years, was burnt by
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Nebuchadnezzar. It was thus deferred because Israel had, by their
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sins, rendered themselves unworthy of this honour, and because God
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would show how little he values external pomp and splendour in his
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service: he was in no haste for a temple. David's tent, which was clean
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and convenient, though it was neither stately nor rich, nor, for aught
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that appears, ever consecrated, is called the <I>house of the Lord</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=2Sa+12:20">2 Sam. xii. 20</A>),
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and served as well as Solomon's temple; yet, when God gave Solomon
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great wealth, he put it into his heart thus to employ it, and
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graciously accepted him, chiefly because it was to be a shadow of good
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things to come,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+9:9">Heb. ix. 9</A>.
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2. It was in the fourth year of Solomon's reign, the first three years
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being taken up in settling the affairs of his kingdom, that he might
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not find any embarrassment from them in this work. It is not time lost
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which is spent in composing ourselves for the work of God, and
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disentangling ourselves from every thing which might distract or divert
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us. During this time he was adding to the preparations which his father
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had made
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ch+22:14">1 Chron. xxii. 14</A>),
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hewing the stone, squaring the timber, and getting every thing ready,
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so that he is not to be blamed for slackness in deferring it so long.
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We are truly serving God when we are preparing for his service and
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furnishing ourselves for it.</P>
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<P>
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III. The materials are brought in, ready for their place
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:7"><I>v.</I> 7</A>),
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so ready that there was <I>neither hammer nor ax heard in the house
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while it was in building.</I> In all building Solomon prescribes it as
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a rule of prudence to <I>prepare the work in the field,</I> and
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<I>afterwards build,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Pr+24:27">Prov. xxiv. 27</A>.
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But here, it seems, the preparation was more than ordinarily full and
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exact, to such a degree that, when the several parts came to be put
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together, there was nothing defective to be added, nothing amiss to be
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amended. It was to be the temple of God of peace, and therefore no iron
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tool must be heard in it. Quietness and silence both become and
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befriend religious exercises: God's work should be done with as much
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care and as little noise as may be. The temple was thrown down with
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axes and hammers, and those that threw it down roared <I>in the midst
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of the congregation</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ps+74:4,6">Ps. lxxiv. 4, 6</A>);
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but it was built up in silence. Clamour and violence often hinder the
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work of God, but never further it.</P>
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<P>
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IV. The dimensions are laid down
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:2,3"><I>v.</I> 2, 3</A>)
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according to the rules of proportion. Some observe that the length and
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breadth were just double to that of the tabernacle. Now that Israel had
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grown more numerous the place of their meeting needed to be enlarged
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Isa+54:1,2">Isa. liv. 1, 2</A>),
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and now that they had grown richer they were the better able to enlarge
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it. Where God sows plentifully he expects to reap so.</P>
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<P>
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V. An account of the windows
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:4"><I>v.</I> 4</A>):
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They were <I>broad within, and narrow without, Marg.</I> Such should
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the eyes of our mind be, reflecting nearer on ourselves than on other
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people, looking much within, to judge ourselves, but little without, to
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censure our brethren. The narrowness of the lights intimated the
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darkness of that dispensation, in comparison with the gospel day.</P>
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<P>
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VI. The chambers are described
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:5,6"><I>v.</I> 5, 6</A>),
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which served as vestries, in which the utensils of the tabernacle were
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carefully laid up, and where the priests dressed and undressed
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themselves and left the clothes in which they ministered: probably in
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some of these chambers they feasted upon the holy things. Solomon was
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not so intent upon the magnificence of the house as to neglect the
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conveniences that were requisite for the offices thereof, that every
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thing might be done decently and in order. Care was taken that the
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beams should not be fastened in the walls to weaken them,
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:6"><I>v.</I> 6</A>.
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Let not the church's strength be impaired under pretence of adding to
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its beauty or convenience.</P>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_11"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_12"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_13"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_14"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>11 And the word of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> came to Solomon, saying,
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12 <I>Concerning</I> this house which thou art in building, if thou
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wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all
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my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with
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thee, which I spake unto David thy father:
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13 And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not
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forsake my people Israel.
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14 So Solomon built the house, and finished it.
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</FONT></P>
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<P>
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Here is,
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I. The word God sent to Solomon, when he was engaged in building the
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temple. God let him know that he took notice of what he was doing,
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<I>the house he was now building,</I>
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:12"><I>v.</I> 12</A>.
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None employ themselves for God without having his eye upon them. "<I>I
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know thy works,</I> thy good works." He assured him that if he would
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proceed and persevere in obedience to the divine law, and keep in the
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way of duty and the true worship of God, the divine loving-kindness
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should be drawn out both to himself <I>(I will perform my word with
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thee</I>) and to his kingdom: "Israel shall be ever owned as my people;
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I will <I>dwell among them,</I> and <I>not forsake them.</I>" This word
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God sent him probably by a prophet,
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1. That by the promise he might be encouraged and comforted in his
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work. Perhaps sometimes the great care, expense, and fatigue of it,
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made him ready to wish he had never begun it; but this would help him
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through the difficulties of it, that the promised establishment of his
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family and kingdom would abundantly recompense all his pains. An eye to
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the promise will carry us cheerfully through our work; and those who
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wish well to the public will think nothing too much that they can do to
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secure and perpetuate to it the tokens of God's presence.
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2. That, by the condition annexed, he might be awakened to consider
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that though he built the temple ever so strong the glory of it would
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soon depart, unless he and his people continued <I>to walk in God's
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statutes.</I> God plainly let him know that all this charge which he
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and his people were at, in erecting this temple, would neither excuse
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them from obedience to the law of God nor shelter them from his
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judgments in case of disobedience. Keeping God's commandments is
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better, and more pleasing to him, than building churches.</P>
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<P>
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II. The work Solomon did for God: <I>So he built the house</I>
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(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:14"><I>v.</I> 14</A>),
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<I>so</I> animated by the message God had sent him, <I>so</I>
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admonished not to expect that God should own his building unless he
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were obedient to his laws: "Lord, I proceed upon these terms, being
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firmly resolved to walk in thy statutes." The strictness of God's
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government will never drive a good man from his service, but quicken
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him in it. Solomon built and finished, he went on with the work, and
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God went along with him till it was completed. It is spoken both to
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God's praise and his: he grew not weary of the work, met not with any
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obstructions (as
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<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Ezr+4:24">Ezra iv. 24</A>),
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did not out-build his property, nor do it by halves, but, having begun
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to build, was both able and willing to finish; for he was a wise
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builder.</P>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_15"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_16"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_17"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_18"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_19"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_20"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_21"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_22"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_23"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_24"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_25"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_26"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_27"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_28"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_29"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_30"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_31"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_32"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_33"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_34"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_35"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_36"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_37"> </A>
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<A NAME="1Ki6_38"> </A>
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<P>
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<FONT SIZE=+1>15 And he built the walls of the house within with boards of
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cedar, both the floor of the house, and the walls of the ceiling:
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<I>and</I> he covered <I>them</I> on the inside with wood, and covered the
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floor of the house with planks of fir.
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16 And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the house, both
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the floor and the walls with boards of cedar: he even built
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<I>them</I> for it within, <I>even</I> for the oracle, <I>even</I> for the most
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|
holy <I>place.</I>
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17 And the house, that <I>is,</I> the temple before it, was forty
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|
cubits <I>long.</I>
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18 And the cedar of the house within <I>was</I> carved with knops
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|
and open flowers: all <I>was</I> cedar; there was no stone seen.
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19 And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there
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|
the ark of the covenant of the L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT>.
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20 And the oracle in the forepart <I>was</I> twenty cubits in
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|
length, and twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits in the
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|
height thereof: and he overlaid it with pure gold; and <I>so</I>
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|
covered the altar <I>which was of</I> cedar.
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21 So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold: and he
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|
made a partition by the chains of gold before the oracle; and he
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|
overlaid it with gold.
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22 And the whole house he overlaid with gold, until he had
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|
finished all the house: also the whole altar that <I>was</I> by the
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|
oracle he overlaid with gold.
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23 And within the oracle he made two cherubims <I>of</I> olive tree,
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|
<I>each</I> ten cubits high.
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24 And five cubits <I>was</I> the one wing of the cherub, and five
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|
cubits the other wing of the cherub: from the uttermost part of
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|
the one wing unto the uttermost part of the other <I>were</I> ten
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|
cubits.
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25 And the other cherub <I>was</I> ten cubits: both the cherubims
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|
<I>were</I> of one measure and one size.
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26 The height of the one cherub <I>was</I> ten cubits, and so <I>was
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|
it</I> of the other cherub.
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27 And he set the cherubims within the inner house: and they
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|
stretched forth the wings of the cherubims, so that the wing of
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|
the one touched the <I>one</I> wall, and the wing of the other cherub
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|
touched the other wall; and their wings touched one another in
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|
the midst of the house.
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|
28 And he overlaid the cherubims with gold.
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|
29 And he carved all the walls of the house round about with
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|
carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers,
|
|
within and without.
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|
30 And the floor of the house he overlaid with gold, within and
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|
without.
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|
31 And for the entering of the oracle he made doors <I>of</I> olive
|
|
tree: the lintel <I>and</I> side posts <I>were</I> a fifth part <I>of the
|
|
wall.</I>
|
|
32 The two doors also <I>were of</I> olive tree; and he carved upon
|
|
them carvings of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, and
|
|
overlaid <I>them</I> with gold, and spread gold upon the cherubims,
|
|
and upon the palm trees.
|
|
33 So also made he for the door of the temple posts <I>of</I> olive
|
|
tree, a fourth part <I>of the wall.</I>
|
|
34 And the two doors <I>were of</I> fir tree: the two leaves of the
|
|
one door <I>were</I> folding, and the two leaves of the other door
|
|
<I>were</I> folding.
|
|
35 And he carved <I>thereon</I> cherubims and palm trees and open
|
|
flowers: and covered <I>them</I> with gold fitted upon the carved
|
|
work.
|
|
36 And he built the inner court with three rows of hewed stone,
|
|
and a row of cedar beams.
|
|
37 In the fourth year was the foundation of the house of the
|
|
L<FONT SIZE=-1><B>ORD</B></FONT> laid, in the month Zif:
|
|
38 And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which <I>is</I> the
|
|
eighth month, was the house finished throughout all the parts
|
|
thereof, and according to all the fashion of it. So was he seven
|
|
years in building it.
|
|
</FONT></P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
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|
|
|
Here,
|
|
|
|
I. We have a particular account of the details of the building.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
1. The wainscot of the temple. It was of cedar
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:15"><I>v.</I> 15</A>),
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:18"><I>v.</I> 18</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
2. The gilding. It was not like ours, washed over, but <I>the whole
|
|
house,</I> all the inside of the temple
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:22"><I>v.</I> 22</A>),
|
|
|
|
even the floor
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:30"><I>v.</I> 30</A>),
|
|
|
|
he <I>overlaid with gold,</I> and the most holy place with <I>pure
|
|
gold,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:21"><I>v.</I> 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
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.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
3. The oracle, or <I>speaking-place</I> (for so the word signifies),
|
|
<I>the holy of holies,</I> 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 <I>the ark of the covenant was to be
|
|
set,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:19"><I>v.</I> 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
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.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:23-28"><I>v.</I> 23</A>,
|
|
|
|
&c. 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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:29"><I>v.</I> 29</A>.
|
|
|
|
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 (<I>see thou
|
|
do it not</I>), but to show how great he is whom we are to worship.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
5. The doors. The folding doors that led into the oracle were but a
|
|
fifth part of the wall
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:31"><I>v.</I> 31</A>),
|
|
|
|
those into the temple were a fourth part
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:33"><I>v.</I> 33</A>);
|
|
|
|
but both were beautified with cherubim engraven on them,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:32,35"><I>v.</I> 32, 35</A>.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:36"><I>v.</I> 36</A>),
|
|
|
|
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.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
7. The time spent in this building. It was but seven years and a half
|
|
from the founding to the finishing of it,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Ki+6:38"><I>v.</I> 38</A>.
|
|
|
|
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.</P>
|
|
|
|
<P>
|
|
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Joh+2:21">John ii. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
God himself prepared him his body,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Heb+10:5">Heb. x. 5</A>.
|
|
|
|
<I>In him dwelt the fulness of the Godhead,</I> as the <I>Shechinah</I>
|
|
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,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+3:16">1 Cor. iii. 16</A>.
|
|
|
|
Even the body is such by virtue of its union with the soul,
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=1Co+6:19">1 Cor. vi. 19</A>.
|
|
|
|
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 <I>holy
|
|
temple in the Lord</I>
|
|
|
|
(<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+2:21">Eph. ii. 21</A>),
|
|
|
|
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 <I>a habitation of God,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Eph+2:19,22">Eph. ii. 19, 22</A>.
|
|
|
|
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 <I>of pure gold,</I>
|
|
|
|
<A HREF="http://bible.gospelcom.net/bible?version=KJV&passage=Re+21:21">Rev. xxi. 21</A>.
|
|
|
|
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.</P>
|
|
|
|
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