1 Kings 7:1-12

3. Solomon’s palace 7:1-12

Solomon’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, n. 17.] The geographical proximity of the temple and palace visualized the fact that the king was acting for God. We do not know exactly where Solomon placed the palace buildings in relation to each other or to the temple. [Note: See David Ussishkin, "King Solomon’s Palaces," Biblical Archaeologist 36 (1973):78-105, for similar temple palace complexes in the ancient Near East.] In the ancient world people regarded a king’s palace as some indication of his greatness as well as the greatness of his god.

"Palace and temple complexes are the most important visual symbols of royal power and indicate more precisely the location of the center within a stratified society." [Note: Keith Whitelam, "The Symbols of Power," Biblical Archaeologist 49:3 (September 1986):170.]

"It [the temple] was not in the midst of the city, like most heathen temples of the time. Its isolation symbolized the uniqueness of the deity to whom it was dedicated." [Note: DeVries, p. 97.]

Certainly Solomon’s palace must have been extremely impressive.

"He did everything imaginable to show that, as Yahweh was a great God, he was a great king. What is displayed here is far more Solomon’s ’riches and honor’ than his ’wisdom.’ His was undoubtedly the piety of worldly success." [Note: Ibid., p. 103.]

"The Pillared Hall (called the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon) was used as an audience chamber or throne hall, and . . . was larger than the temple. It also served as a state treasury, displaying selected precious objects received as tribute (cf. 1 Kings 10:16-17)." [Note: Wiseman, p. 111.]

Ancient Near Easterners did not view a king’s sovereignty as established until he had built a palace for himself. [Note: A. Leo Oppenheim, Ancient Mesopotamia, pp. 95-98.] Solomon’s palace, therefore, further enhanced his prestige. God blessed Solomon and Israel by allowing him to built it.