And there were windows in three rows ,.... Both in the second and third stories, east, north, and south, there being none in the west, where the porch stood: and light was against light in three ranks ; or the windows, through which light was let, answered to each other. read more
And there were windows [ שְׁקֻפִים same word as in 1 Kings 6:4 , i.e; beams or lattices. Keil understands, beam layers; and Bähr, ubergelegte Balken. The LXX . has πλευρῶν ] in three rows [or tiers. All we can say is that there is a possible reference to three stories formed by the three rows of beams], and light [lit; outlook. מֶחְזָה probably means a wide outlook. LXX . χῶρα , aspectus, prospectus ] was against light in three ranks [ Heb. three times. ... read more
Either three ranges of windows, one above the other, on either side of the house; or perhaps the three ranges were one in either side wall, and the third in a wall down the middle of the hall, along the course of the midmost row of pillars. The windows were directly opposite one another, giving what we call a through light. read more
1 Kings 7:3-5. Fifteen in a row So in this second story there were only three rows of pillars, which were sufficient for the ornament of the second and for the support of the third story; and we may conjecture from hence that there were threescore pillars below. Light was against light One directly opposite to another, as is usual in well-contrived buildings. In three ranks One exactly under another in three rows. All the doors, &c., were square with the windows That is, the... read more
Construction of other buildings (7:1-12)After finishing the temple, Solomon moved on to the next part of his building program. This was the building of a magnificent palace that took thirteen years (7:1). He also built many other expensive buildings in this national showpiece. The House of the Forest of Lebanon, so called because of its three rows of cedar pillars, was apparently a military headquarters and weapons storehouse (2-5; cf. 10:17; Isaiah 22:8). The Hall of Pillars was probably a... read more
3. Solomon’s palace 7:1-12Solomon’s palace complex took longer to build than the temple because it was much larger. The king evidently completed the temple and then began work on his palace (cf. 1 Kings 9:10). Solomon seems to have built several separate but interconnected buildings. A large common courtyard evidently surrounded the temple and the palace (1 Kings 7:12). A similar view is that the palace was one structure and the other buildings were really sections of it. [Note: Wood, p. 291,... read more
Solomon’s PalaceThis c, besides giving a description of Solomon’s palace, contains an account of the principal utensils belonging to the Temple.1. Thirteen years] The Temple was of small extent compared with the royal palace, so that the time spent on the latter exceeded that required for the former. The various buildings mentioned in 1 Kings 7:2-8 seem together to have constituted the house of 1 Kings 7:1.2. He built also] RV ’for he built.’ The house of the forest of Lebanon] so called from... read more
; 1 Kings 6:1-38; 1 Kings 7:1-51THE TEMPLE1 Kings 5:1-18; 1 Kings 6:1-38; 1 Kings 7:1-51"And his next son, for wealth and wisdom famed, The clouded Ark of God, till then in tents Wandering, shall in a glorious temple enshrine."-Paradise Lost, 12:340.AFTER the destructive battle of Aphek, in which the Philistines had defeated Israel, slain the two sons of Eli, and taken captive the Ark of God, they had inflicted a terrible vengeance on the old sanctuary at Shiloh. They had burnt the young men in... read more
CHAPTER 7 The House of Solomon and Pharaoh’s DaughterThe Furnishings of the Temple 1. The house of the forest of Lebanon (1 Kings 7:1-7 ) 2. The royal palace and the house of Pharaoh’s daughter (1 Kings 7:8-12 ) 3. The master workman (1 Kings 7:13-14 ) 4. The great pillars and chapiters (1 Kings 7:15-22 ) 5. The brazen sea (1 Kings 7:23-26 ) 6. The ten lavers with their carriages (1 Kings 7:27-40 ) 7. Hiram’s work (1 Kings 7:41-47 ) 8. The golden utensils for the interior (1... read more
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Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 7:1-12
Never had any man so much of the spirit of building as Solomon had, nor to better purpose; he began with the temple, built for God first, and then all his other buildings were comfortable. The surest foundations of lasting prosperity are those which are laid in an early piety, Matt. 6:33. 1. He built a house for himself (1 Kgs. 7:1), where he dwelt, 1 Kgs. 7:8. His father had built a good house; but it was no reflection upon his father for him to build a better, in proportion to the estate... read more