1 Kings 6:1-38
four <0702> [A.M. 2993. B.C. 1011. An. Ex. Is. 480. And it came.]
month Ziv .... month <02320 02099> [in the month Zif.]
building <01129> [began. Heb. built.]
building <01129> [build.]
temple <01004> [the house.]
long <0753> [the length.]
According to Bp. Cumberland's estimation of the cubit, its length was 36 yds. 1 ft. 5/28 inch; its breadth 12 yds. 5/76 inch; and its height, 18 yds. 8/64 inch. This constituted what is properly called the temple; but, besides this, there were the courts and colonnades, where the people might assemble to perform their devotions, without being exposed to the open air.
90 feet <08346> [threescore.]
framed windows <02474 0331 08261> [windows of narrow lights. or, windows broad within, and narrow without; or, skewed and closed.]
.# 4 So 2:9 Eze 40:16 41:26
walls <07023> [against. or, upon, or joining to. built.]
extension ................ side <03326 06763> [chambers. Heb. floors.]
These appear to have been what we should now call corridors or galleries; in which were apartments for the use of the priests. They consisted of three stories, and increased one cubit in breadth in every story, the wall of the temple being two cubits thicker at the bottom than at the top; and where the wall diminished, a rest was thus formed for the beams of the chambers to lodge upon.
holy place <01687> [oracle.]
extension ................ side <03326 06763> [chambers. Heb. ribs.]
ledges <04052> [narrowed rests. or, narrowings, or rebatements.]
built ... stones ....... used ...................... built <068 01129> [built of stone.]
hammers <04717> [neither hammer.]
side <03802> [side. Heb. shoulder. went up.]
building <01129> [he built.]
rafters ... boards <01356 07713 0730> [with beams and boards of cedar. or, the vault beams and the ceilings with cedar.]
<03212> [if thou wilt.]
fulfill <06965> [then will I perform.]
live <07931> [I will dwell.]
abandon <05800> [will not forsake.]
[A.M. 2993-3000. B.C. 1011-1004.]
constructed <01129> [he built.]
That is, he lined or wainscoted the walls with cedar, the floor being covered with planks of fir: the marginal reading in this verse is preferable, as it removes every difficulty and obscurity.
walls inside ... temple ............. floor .... temple .... rafters ........ temple floor <07023 01004 07172> [both the floor of the house, and the walls. or, from the floor of the house, unto the walls, etc. and so ver.]
built ............ temple ................. paneled <01129 01004> [built them.]
inner sanctuary <01687> [the oracle.]
The oracle was the sanctuary, or holy of holies, in which there was nothing but the ark of the covenant, including the tables of the law, and into which the high priest alone was to enter but once a year.
carvings ... round ornaments <06497> [knops. or, gourds.]
{Peka‹m,} "artificial knops," in the shape of {colocynths,} or wild gourds, as the word denotes. (See note on 2 Ki 4:39;) the full-blown flowers of which must have been very ornamental.
flowers <06731 06362> [open flowers. or, openings of flowers.]
inner sanctuary <01687> [the oracle.]
placed <05414> [to set.]
30 feet ... 30 feet .... 30 feet <0520 06242> [twenty cubits.]
<05462> [pure. Heb. shut up. the altar.]
plated .................... plated <06823> [overlaid.]
chains <07572> [by the chains.]
temple <01004> [the whole house.]
It is impossible to calculate this expense, or the quantity of gold employed in this sacred building; but both must have been immense.
altar <04196> [also.]
altar <04196> [the whole altar.]
This was the altar of incense without the vail, in the holy place, which was twice the length of the most holy place.
two cherubs <08147 03742> [two cherubims.]
These were distinct from, and much larger than those which covered the mercy-seat.
olive wood <06086 08081> [olive tree. or, oily trees. Heb. trees of oil.]
cherubs .......... wings ... spread out ...... cherub's wings .......... cherub's wings .......... wing ....... wing <03742 03671 06566> [they stretched forth the wings of the cherubims. or, the cherubims stretched forth their wings.]
carved <04734 06603> [carved figures.]
palm trees <08561> [palm trees.]
{Tamar,} in Ethiopic, {tamart,} the palm tree, is so called, says Parkhurst, from its straight, upright growth, for which it seems more remarkable than any other tree; and it sometimes rises to the height of more than 100 feet. The trunk is remarkably straight and lofty; and it is crowned at the top with a large tuft of spiring leaves, about four feet long, which never fall off, but always continue in the same flourishing verdure. The stalks are generally full of rugged knots, which are vestiges of decayed leaves: for the trunk of the tree is not solid, but its centre is filled with pith, round which is a tough bark full of strong fibres when young, which, as the tree becomes old, hardens and becomes ligneous. To this bark the leaves are closely joined, which, as the tree becomes old, hardens and becomes ligneous. To this bark the leaves are closely joined, which in the centre rise erect, but after they are advanced above the vagina which surrounds them, they expand very wide on every side of the stem, and as the older leaves decay, the stalk advances in height. The leaves, when the tree has grown to a size for bearing fruit, are six or eight feet long, and very broad when expanded. The fruit, called the date, grows below the leaves in clusters.
[open flowers. Heb. openings of flowers.]
doors <01817> [doors.]
five-sided <02549> [a fifth part. or, five square.]
two doors <01817 08147> [two doors. or, leaves of the doors. open flowers. Heb. openings of flowers.]
four-sided <07243> [a fourth part. or, four square.]
wood ... evergreens <06086 01265> [fir tree.]
two ........... two ... leaves <08147 06763 07050> [the two leaves.]
inner <06442> [the inner.]
Among chronologists there is a great diversity of opinion respecting the time of the building of the temple. The Septuagint has 440 years; Glycas, 330; Josephus and Moeslinus, 592; Melchius Canus, 590; Sulpicius Severus, 588; Clemens Alexandrinus, 570; Cedrenus, 672; Codomus, 598; Vossius and Capellus, 580; Serarius, 680; Nicholas Abraham, 527; Petavius and Valtherus, 520. After all, that in the common Hebrew text is more likely to the true one, than any of the others.
completed <03615> [finished.]
<01697> [throughout, etc. or, with all the appurtenances thereof, and with all the ordinances thereof. seven years.]
1 Kings 7:13-15
Hiram <02438> [Hiram.]
[Huram.]
son <01121 0802> [a widow's son. Heb. the son of a widow woman. tribe.]
The mother of Hiram (not the Tyrian king mentioned before, but an intelligent coppersmith, of Jewish extraction by his mother's side) in Chronicles, is said to have been of "the daughters of Dan;" and she might have been of Naphtali by her father, and of Dan by her mother; or she might originally be of the tribe of Dan, and have been first married to a man of the tribe of Naphtali; and, in either case, she might be indifferently called "of the tribe of Naphtali," or of "the daughters of Dan."
Naphtali <05321> [Naphtali.]
father <01> [his father.]
<04390> [he was filled.]
fashioned <06696> [cast. Heb. fashioned. two pillars.]
27 feet .... 18 feet <0520 08083> [eighteen cubits.]
That is, nearly thirty feet, English measure. But in the parallel place in Chronicles, these pillars are said to thirty-five cubits high. Tremellius reconciles this difference by observing, that the common cubit was but one-half of the cubit of the sanctuary; so that eighteen of the one would make thirty-six of the other; from which, if we deduct one cubit for the base, there will remain thirty-five. Notwithstanding the names of these pillars, they seem to have supported no part of the building, and appear to have been formed for ornament; and were no doubt also emblematical. The right pillar was called {Jachin,} which signifies, "He will establish;" while that on the left was named {Boaz,} "In it is strength." Some think they were intended for memorials of the pillars and cloud of fire, which led Israel through the wilderness; but Henry supposes them designed for memorandums to the priests and others that came to worship at God's door. 1st. To depend upon God only, and not upon any sufficiency of their own, for strength and establishment in all their religious exercises. 2nd. It was a memorandum to them of the strength and establishment of the temple of God among them. When the temple was destroyed, particular notice is taken of the breaking up and carrying away of these brazen pillars, 2 Ki 25:13, 17, which had been the tokens of its establishment, and would have been still so, if they had not forsaken God.
1 Kings 7:2
1 Kings 2:1--4:22
When <03117> [the days.]
told <06680> [charged.]
about <01980> [I go.]
strong <02388> [be thou.]
man <0376> [and shew.]
Do ................ obeying <08104> [And keep.]
[statues.]
laws <05715> [testimonies.]
written <03789> [written.]
succeed ..... do <07919 06213> [that thou.]
succeed <07919> [prosper. or, do wisely.]
accomplish <06437> [whithersoever.]
Lord <03068> [That the Lord.]
promise <01697> [his word.]
<03212> [walk.]
heart <03824> [with all their heart.]
fail <03772> [fail, etc. Heb. be cut off from thee from the throne.]
Joab <03097> [Joab.]
Abner <074> [Abner.]
Amasa <06021> [Amasa.]
Jether <03500> [Jether.]
[Ithra. shed. Heb. put. put.]
appropriate <02451> [according.]
live long <07872> [let.]
peaceful <07965> [in.]
Barzillai <01271> [Barzillai.]
needs <0398> [eat.]
flee <01272> [when I fled.]
Shimei <08096> [Shimei.]
horrible <04834> [grievous. Heb. strong. he came.]
treat <05352> [hold him.]
Do not consider him as an innocent man; for, as thou art a wise man, and knowest how to treat such persons, treat him as he deserves; only, as I have sworn to him that I would not put him to death, "bring not his hoar head down to the grave with blood." So Solomon understood David; for, after he had commanded Joab to be slain, in obedience to his father, he sent for Shimei, and knowing he ought to be well watched, he confined him to Jerusalem for the rest of his life: and so it appears David should be understood; for the negative particle {lo,} in the former clause, "hold him not guiltless," should be repeated in the latter clause, though not expressed; instances of which frequently occur in the Hebrew Scriptures. (See Jud 5:30. 1Sa 2:3. Ps 1:5; 9:18; 38:1; 75:5. Pr 5:16; 24:12, etc.) This is the view taken of the subject by Dr. Kennicott, and it seems the best and most correct mode of interpreting the text.
wise <02450> [wise.]
death <07872> [his.]
bloody <01818> [with.]
David ........... David <01732> [So David.]
city <05892> [the city.]
reigned ... Israel ..... reigned <04427 03478> [reigned over.]
Solomon sat <08010 03427> [A.M. 2990. B.C. 1014. An. Ex. Is. 477. sat Solomon.]
<04438> [his kingdom.]
Adonijah <0138> [Adonijah.]
visited ......... come <0935> [Comest.]
know <03045> [Thou knowest.]
Lord <03068> [for it was.]
refuse ..... Go ahead <06440 07725> [deny me not. Heb. turn not away my face.]
Abishag <049> [Abishag.]
That's <02896> [Well.]
So ............... got up <06965> [rose up.]
sat .................. sat <03427> [she sat.]
ask ................. ask <07592> [I desire.]
ask ................. ask <07592> [Ask on.]
Abishag <049> [Let Abishag.]
request ................ request <07592> [why dost.]
kingdom <04410> [the kingdom.]
God <0430> [God.]
Adonijah <0138> [if Adonijah.]
We have already seen, that the whole harem of an eastern monarch was a part of the regal succession (See note on 2 Sa 16:23); and it was treason for a subject to claim any wife or virgin who had once formed a part of it. Solomon evidently considered the request of Adonijah in this light; and was convinced that he was still aiming to seize the crown, to which he considered this as one step. But it is very doubtful, how far the plea either of policy or state necessity can justify Solomon in thus embruing his hands in his brother's blood, whatever might have been his treasonable intentions or conduct.
<01696> [spoken.]
Lord <03068> [as the Lord.]
sit ...... throne <03427 03678> [set me.]
dynasty <06213 01004> [made me.]
promised <01696> [as he promised.]
executed <04191> [put.]
killed <06293> [he fell.]
Abiathar <054> [Abiathar.]
Anathoth <06068> [Anathoth.]
deserve ... die <04194 0376> [worthy of death. Heb. a man of death.]
carry <05375> [barest.]
suffered ..... through .... difficult <06031> [hast been.]
Solomon <08010> [So Solomon.]
This was for having taken part with Adonijah; but by it a remarkable prophecy was fulfilled. God had told Eli, (1 Sa 2:30-36) that the priesthood should depart from his house; Abiathar was the last of the priests of Ithamar, of which family was Eli the high priest. Zadok, who succeeded, was of the family of Eleazar; and by this change the priesthood reverted to its ancient channel.
fulfilling <04390> [that he.]
Shiloh <07887> [Shiloh.]
Joab ... Joab ... supported ....... supported ... he <03097 05186> [Joab had.]
grabbed hold <02388> [caught.]
beside <0681> [he is by.]
<03212> [Go.]
Do <06213> [Do.]
away <05493> [that thou.]
Joab's <03097> [which.]
family <01004> [and from.]
<07725> [return.]
innocent <06662> [more righteous.]
father <01> [my father.]
Abner <074> [Abner.]
Amasa <06021> [Amasa.]
Jether <03500> [Jether.]
[Ithra.]
David <01732> [upon David.]
family <01004> [his house.]
Benaiah <01141> [Benaiah.]
executed <06293> [and fell.]
It appears that he slew him at the very altar. The altar was so sacred among all the people, that, in general, even the vilest wretch found safety, if he once reached it. This led to many abuses, and the perversion of public justice; and God decreed (Ex 24:14) that the presumptuous murderer, who had taken refuge at his altar, should be dragged thence and put to death.
buried <06912> [buried.]
wilderness <04057> [in the.]
army <06635> [in his room.]
Zadok <06659> [Zadok.]
Shimei <08096> [Shimei.]
Build <01129> [Build.]
No doubt Solomon suspected that Shimei's influence would be dangerous upon his own estate and among his numerous dependents in different parts of the land; and therefore he proposed to him, as the condition of his indemnity for former crimes, that he should live in Jerusalem under his eye, and by no means remove thence. These terms Shimei readily agreed to, and solemnly swore to observe them; and for three years he lived unmolested and in affluence. But growing secure, in contempt of Solomon's authority and of the oath of God, upon an unnecessary business he took a journey, which according to his own engagement forfeited his life. Thus the Lord left him to be infatuated, that due punishment might be inflicted upon him; in order that every ringleader of opposition to Solomon's kingdom might be crushed, and others be intimidated by their examples. Solomon's throne by the death of this man was established in peace, and became a type of the Redeemer's kingdom of peace and righteousness.--SCOTT.
cross .... Valley <05674 05158> [over the.]
[Cedron. thy blood.]
proposal <01697> [The saying.]
Achish <0397> [A.M. 2993. B.C. 1011. An. Ex. Is. 480. Achish.]
got <06965> [arose.]
oath <07650> [Did I not.]
said .................... warned ................... said <0559> [and thou saidst.]
broken <08104> [Why.]
order <04687> [commandment.]
aware <03045> [Thou knowest.]
punish <07725> [return.]
be empowered <01288> [blessed.]
dynasty <03678> [the throne.]
kingdom <04467> [the kingdom.]
marriage <02859> [A.M. 2990. B.C. 1014. An. Ex. Is. 477. affinity.]
married <03947> [and took.]
City <05892> [the city.]
residence .... temple <01004> [his own.]
residence .... temple <01004> [the house.]
wall <02346> [the wall.]
people <05971> [the people.]
It was not right to offer sacrifices in any place but where the tabernacle and ark were; and wherever they were, whether on a high place or a plain, sacrifices might be lawfully offered, previously to building of the temple. The tabernacle was now at Gibeon, (2 Ch 1:3,) which was therefore called the great high place; whither we find Solomon, without censure, repaired to sacrifice.
temple <01004> [was no.]
demonstrated his loyalty <0157> [loved.]
<03212> [walking.]
sacrifices <02076> [only he.]
Gibeon <01391> [Gibeon.]
thousand <0505> [a thousand.]
Lord <03068> [the Lord.]
dream <02472> [in a dream.]
Tell me ..... give <07592 05414> [Ask what.]
servant <05650> [thy servant.]
great ..................... great <01419> [great.]
loyalty ..................... loyalty <02617> [mercy. or, bounty.]
<01980> [according.]
allowing <05414> [that.]
servant <05650> [thou hast.]
young <06996> [a little.]
inexperienced <03318> [to go.]
people ...... nation <05971> [thy people.]
count <04487> [cannot.]
give ... servant <05414 05650> [Give therefore.]
discerning <08085> [understanding. Heb. hearing.]
make judicial decisions ................ make judicial decisions <08199> [to judge.]
distinguish <0995> [discern.]
able <03201> [who is able.]
pleased <03190> [pleased.]
asked ...... make wise judicial ..... for ....... vengeance <07592> [hast not.]
[long life. Heb. many days. discern. Heb. hear.]
<06213> [I have done.]
give <05414> [I have given.]
succeed <0310> [neither.]
giving <05414> [And I.]
riches <06239> [riches.]
<0376> [shall not be. or, hath not been.]
<03212> [if thou.]
father <01> [as thy.]
long <0748> [I will lengthen.]
woke <03364> [awoke.]
before <06440> [before.]
peace offerings <08002> [peace offerings.]
feast <04960> [a feast.]
two prostitutes <0802 08147> [two women.]
<02181> [harlots.]
The word {zanoth,} rendered harlots, is here translated by the Targumist, the best judge in this case, {pundekon,} "tavern-keepers:" see on Jos 2:1.
Had these women been harlots, it is not likely that they would have dared to appear before Solomon; nor is it likely that such persons would have been permitted in the reign of David. Their husbands might at this time have been following their necessary occupations in distant parts.
stood <05975> [stood.]
master <0994 0113> [O my lord.]
middle <08432> [midnight.]
took <03947> [took.]
son ...................... baby <01121> [give.]
alive ................... alive <02416> [Nay.]
Cut <01504> [Divide.]
This was apparently a very strange decision; but Solomon saw that the only way to discover the real mother was by the affection and tenderness should would necessarily shew to her offspring. The plan was tried, and succeeded; and it was a proof of his sound judgment, penetration, and acquaintance with the human heart, or rather, of his extraordinary and supernatural wisdom. See ver. 28. The two following instances are in some faint manner to be compared to Solomon's decision, inasmuch as they also work upon the human sympathies. Suetonius, in his Life of the emperor Claudian, tells us, that this emperor discovered a woman to be the real mother of a young man, whom she refused to acknowledge, by commanding her to marry him, the proofs being doubtful on both sides; for, rather than commit incest, she confessed the truth. Diodorus Siculus also informs us, that Ariopharnes, king of Thrace, being appointed to decided between three young men, each of whom professed to be the son of the deceased king of the Cimmerians, and claimed the succession, discovered the real son by ordering each to shoot an arrow into the dead body of the king: two of them did this without hesitation; but the real son of the deceased monarch refused.
motherly instincts <07356> [her bowels.]
aroused <03648> [yearned. Heb. were hot.]
give .... living <05414 02416> [give her.]
respected <03372> [feared.]
wisdom <02451> [the wisdom.]
possessed <07130> [in him. Heb. in the midst of him. to do.]
Israel <03478> [over all Israel.]
officials <08269> [the princes.]
That is, great, chief, or principal men; for none of them were princes, in the common acceptation of the word.
Azariah <05838> [Azariah.]
priest <03548> [priest. or, chief officer.]
Shisha <07894> [Shisha.]
[Sheva.]
[Shavsha. scribes. or, secretaries. recorder. or, remembrancer.]
Benaiah <01141> [Benaiah.]
Zadok <06659> [Zadok.]
son ... Nathan ......... son ... Nathan <05416 01121> [son of Nathan.]
district <05324> [the officers.]
[the principal.]
king <04428> [the king's.]
Adoniram <0141> [Adoniram.]
[Adoram. tribute. or, levy.]
district <05324> [officers.]
These are doubtless to be considered as general receivers; for, as Sir John Chardin observes, "the revenues of the princes of the East are paid in the fruits and productions of the earth: there are no other taxes on the peasants."
Each <0259> [each man.]
Ben-Hur <01133> [The son of Hur. or, Ben-hur.]
Ben-Deker <01128> [The son of Dekar. or, Ben-dekar. Shaalbim.]
[Shaalabbin. Beth-shemesh.]
Ben-Hesed <01136> [The son of Hesed. or, Ben-hesed. Sochoh.]
Hepher <02660> [Hepher.]
Ben-Abinadab <01125> [The son of Abinadab. or, Ben-abinadab. Dor.]
Taanach <08590> [Taanach.]
Megiddo <04023> [Megiddo.]
Beth Shan ........ Beth Shan <01052> [Beth-shean.]
Zarethan <06891> [Zartanah.]
[Zarthan.]
[Zaretan. Jezreel.]
Abel Meholah <065> [Abel-meholah.]
Ben-Geber <01127> [The son of Geber. or, Ben-geber. Ramoth-gilead.]
villages <02333> [the towns.]
Argob <0709> [Argob.]
sixty large ... cities <08346 01419 05892> [threescore great cities.]
These were the fortified cities; their gates and bars being covered with plates of brass.
Mahanaim <04266> [Mahanaim. or, to Mahanaim.]
Naphtali <05321> [Naphtali.]
daughter <01323> [the daughter.]
Asher <0836> [Asher.]
Issachar <03485> [Issachar.]
Shimei <08096> [Shimei.]
Benjamin <01144> [Benjamin.]
land ..... territory ........ Sihon ................. area <05511 0776> [the country of Sihon.]
sand <02344> [as the sand.]
eat <0398> [eating.]
Solomon ............................ Solomon's <08010> [Solomon.]
<05066> [brought.]
consumed <03899> [provision. Heb. bread. measures. Heb. cors.]
Ezra 5:11
great <07229> [which a great.]
