34 And the two doors were of fir-tree: the two leaves of the one door were folding, and the two leaves of the other door were folding. 3 And it was covered with cedar above upon the beams, that lay on forty-five pillars, fifteen in a row. 4 And there were windows in three rows, and 35 And he carved thereon cherubims and palm-light was against light in three ranks. trees and open flowers; and covered them 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 LORD laid, in the month Zif: 38 And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, (which is 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. CHAPTER VII. As, in the story of David, one chapter of wars and victories follows another, so, in the story of Solomon, one chapter of this building follows another. In this chap ter, we have. 1. His fitting up several buildings for himself and his owu use, v pillars, v. 13-22. 2. With a molten sea, v. 23-26. 3. With ten basins of brass, -12. 11. His furaishing the temple whict. he had built for God, J. With two (v. 27-37,) and ten lavers upon them, v. 35, 39. 4. With all the other utensils of the temple, v. 40-50. 5. With the things that his father had dedicated, v. 51. The particular description of these things was not needless when it was written, nor is it now useless. Bteen years, and he finished all his house. UT Solomon was building his own house thir . 2 He built also the house of the forest of Lebanon; the length thereof was an hundred cubits, and the breadth thereof fifty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits, upon four rows of cedar pillars, with cedar-beams upon the pillars. m Ez. 41. 23. ⚫or, with all the appurtenances thereof, and with all the ordinances thereof. n ver. 1, 9. c. 9. 10. 2 Chr. 8. 1. f ribs. Lastly, The time spent in this building; it was but seven years and a half from the founding to the finishing of it, v. 38. 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 which it was built for. Let us now see what was typified by this temple. 5 And all the doors and posts were square, with the windows: and light was against light in three ranks. 6 And he made a porch of pillars; the length thereof was fifty cubits, and the breadth thereof thirty cubits and the porch was "before them: and the other pillars and the thick beam were "before them. 7 Then he made a porch for the throne, where he might judge, even the porch of judgment; and it was covered with cedar from "one side of the floor to the other. 8 And his house where he dwelt had another court within the porch, which was of the like work. Solomon made also an house for Pharaoh's daughter, whom he had taken to wife, like unto this porch. 9 All these were of costly stones, (according to the measures of hewed stones, sawed with saws) within and without, even from the foundation unto the coping, and so on the outside toward the great court. 10 And the foundation was of costly stones, even great stones: stones of ten cubits, and stones of eight cubits. 11 And above were costly stones (after the measures of hewed stones) and cedars. I sight against sight. $ or, spaces and pillars were square in prospect. i or, according to. ¶ from floor to floor. a c. 3. 1. 2 Chr. 8. 11. buildings were comfortable. The surest foundations of a lasting prosperity are those which are laid in an early piety. Matt. 6. 33. 1. He built a house for himself, (v. 1,) where he dwelt, v. 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 wherewith God had blessed him; much of the comfort of this life is connected with an agreeable house. He was thirteen years building this house, whereas he built the temple in little more than seven years; not that he was more exact, but less eager and intent, in building his own house, than in building God's; he was in no haste for his own palace, but impatient till the temple was finished, and fit for use; thus we ought to prefer God's honour before our own ease and satisfaction. 1. Christ is the true Temple, he himself spake of the temple of his body, John 2. 21. God himself prepared him his body, Heb. 10. 5, In him dwelt the fulness of the Godhead, as the Shechinah in the temple; in him meet all God's spiritual Israel; through him we have access with confidence to God; all the 2. He built the house of the forest at Lebanon, (v. 2,) supangels of God, those blessed cherubims, have a charge to wor-posed to be a country seat near Jerusalem, so called from the ship him. pleasantness of its situation, and the trees that encompassed it. I rather incline to think that it was a house built in the forest of Lebanon itself, whither (though far distant from Jerusalem) Solomon (having so many chariots and horses, and those dispersed into chariot cities, which, probably, were his stages) might frequently retire with ease; it does not appear that his throne, mentioned v. 7, was at the house of the forest of Lebanon, and it was not at all improper to put his shields there as in a magazine. Express notice is taken of his buildings, not only in Jerusalem, but in Lebanon, (ch. 9. 19;) and we read of the tower of Lebanon, which looks toward Damascus, (Cant. 7. 4,) which, probably, was part of this house. A particular account is given of this house: That, being built in Lebanon, a place famed for cedars, the pillars, and beams, and roof, were all cedar, (v. 2, 3,) and, being designed for pleasant prospects, there were three tier of windows on each side, light against light, (v. 4, 5,) or, as it may be read, prospect against prospect. Those whose lot is cast in the country, may be well reconciled to a country life by this, that some of the greatest princes have thought those the most pleasant of their days, which they have spent in their country retirements. 2. Every believer is a living temple, in whom the Spirit of God dwells, 1 Cor. 3. 16. Even the body is such by virtue of its union with the soul, 1 Cor. 6. 19. 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 perfect in due time. 3. The Gospel church is the mystical temple; it grows to a holy temple in the Lord, (Eph. 2, 21,) 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 join with them in building the temple: even stran gers and foreigners are built up, a habitation of God, Eph. 2. 19, 22. The temple was divided into the holy place, and the most holy, the courts of it, into the outer and inner; so, there is the visible and the invisible church: the door into the temple was wider than that into the oracle; many enter into possession, 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 Angels are ministering spirits, attending the church on all sides, and all the members of it. it. 4. Heaven is the everlasting temple; there the church will be fixed, and no longer moveable; the streets of the new Jerusalem, in allusion to the flooring of the temple, are said to be of pure gold, Rev. 21. 21. The cherubims 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 state 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. NOTES TO CHAPTER VII. 3. He built piazzas before one of his houses, either that at Jerusalem, or that in Lebanon, which were very famous, a porch of pillars, (v. 6,) either for an exchange, or a guardhouse, or for those to walk in, that attended him about business, till they could have audience, or for state and magnificence. He himself speaks of Wisdom's building her house, and hewing out her seven pillars, (Prov. 9. 1,) for the shelter of those that, three verses before, (ch. 8. 34,) are said to watch daily at her gates, and to wait at the posts of her door. 4. At his house where he dwelt in Jerusalem, he built a great hall, or porch of judgment, where was set the throne, or king's bench, for the trial of causes, in which he himself was appealed to, (Placita coram ipso rege tenenda-Causes were to be adjusted in the king's presence,) and this was richly wainscotted with cedar, from the floor to the roof, v. 7. He had there also another court within the porch, nearer his house, of smaller work, for his attendants to walk in, v. 8. V. 1-12. Never had any man so much of the spirit of build-It ing as Solomon had, never man built to better purpose; he began with the temple, built for God first, and then all his other He built a house for his wife, where she kept her court, v. 8. is said to be like the porch, because built of cedar like it, though not in the same form; this, no doubt, was nearer adjoining to his own palace, yet perhaps if it had been as near as 12 And the great court round about was with three rows of hewed stones, and a row of cedarbeams, both for the inner court of the house of the LORD, and for the porch of the house. 13 And king Solomon sent, and fetched Hiram 'out of Tyre. 24 And under the brim of it round about there were knops compassing it, ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about: the knops were cast in two rows, when it was cast. 25 It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the 14 He was a widow's son "of the tribe of Naph-west, and three looking toward the south, and three tali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work. 15 For he cast two pillars of brass, of eighteen cubits high a-piece; and a line of twelve cubits did compass either of them about. 16 And he made two chapiters of molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars: the height of the one chapiter was five cubits, and the height of the other chapiter was five cubits: 17 And nets of checker-work, and wreaths of chain-work, for the chapiters which were upon the top of the pillars; seven for the one chapiter, and seven for the other chapiter. 18 And he made the pillars, and two rows round about upon the one net-work, to cover the chapiters that were upon the top, with pomegranates: and so did he for the other chapiter. 19 And the chapiters that were upon the top of the pillars were of lily-work in the porch, four cubits. 20 And the chapiters upon the two pillars had pomegranates also above, over against the belly which was by the net-work: and the pomegranates were two hundred, in rows round about upon the other chapiter. 21 And he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple: and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin: and he set up the left pillar, and called the name thereof $Boaz. 22 And upon the top of the pillars was lily-work: so was the work of the pillars finished. 23 And he made a molten sea,' ten cubits "from the one brim to the other: it was round all about, and his height was five cubits; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about. b John 10. 23. Acts 3. 11. c 2 Chr. 4. 11, Huram, ver. 40. the son of a widow woman. d 2 Chr. 2. 14. e 2 Chr. 4. 16. f Ex. 31. 3. 36. 1. ↑ fashioned. g ver. 21. 2 Kings 25. 17. 2 Chr. 3. 15, &c. 4. 12, &c. Jer. 52. 21, &c. h c. 6. 3. Ver. 12. it ought to have been, Solomon would not have multiplied wives as he did. The wonderful magnificence of all these buildings is taken notice of, v. 9, &c. All the materials were the best of their kind; the foundation stones were costly for their size, four or five yards square, or, at least, so many yards long, (v. 10,) and the stones of the building, costly for the workmanship, hewn and sawn, and, in all respects, finely wrought, v. 9, 11. The court of his own house was like that of the temple; (v. 12, compare ch. 6. 36,) so well did he like the model of God's courts, that he made his own by it. V. 13-47. We have here an account of the brass work about the temple; there was no iron about the temple, but we find David preparing for the temple iron for things of iron, 1 Chr. 29. 2. What those things were, we are not told, but some of the things of brass are here described, and the rest mentioned. I. The brasier whom Solomon employed to preside in this part of the work, was, Hiram, or Huram, (2 Chr. 4. 11,) who was, by his mother's side, an Israelite, of the tribe of Naphtali, by his father's side, a man of Tyre, v. 14. If he had the ingenuity of a Tyrian, and the affection of an Israelite to the house of God, (the head of a Tyrian, and the heart of an Israelite,) it was happy that the blood of the two nations mixed in him, thereby he was qualified for the work to which he was designed. As the tabernacle was built with the wealth of Egypt, so the temple with the wit of Tyre. God will serve himself by the common gifts of the children of men. II. The brass he made use of, was the best he could get, all the brazen vessels were of bright brass, (v. 45,) good brass, so the Chaldee, that which was strongest, and looked finest; God, who is the best, must be served and honoured with the best. III. The place where all the brazen vessels were cast, was the plain of Jordan, because the ground there was stiff and clayey, fit to make moulds of, for the casting of the brass, (v. 46;) and Solomon would not have this meaner work done in or near Jerusalem. IV. The quantity was not accounted for, the vessels were unnumbered, (so it may be read, v. 47,) as well as unweighed, because they were exceeding many, and it would have been an endless thing to keep the account of them; neither was the looking toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward. 26 And it was an hand-breadth thick, and the brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies: it contained two thousand baths. 27 And he made ten bases of brass: four cubits was the length of one base, and four cubits the breadth thereof, and three cubits the height of it. 28 And the work of the bases was on this manner: they had borders, and the borders were between the ledges: 29 And on the borders that were between the ledges were lions, oxen, and cherubims :" and upon the ledges there was a base above: and beneath the lions and oxen were certain additions "made of thin work. 30 And every base had four brazen wheels, and plates of brass: and the four corners thereof had undersetters: under the laver were undersetters molten, at the side of every addition. 31 And the mouth of it, within the chapiter and above, was a cubit; but the mouth thereof was round, after the work of the base, a cubit and an half; and also upon the mouth of it were gravings with their borders, four-square, not round. 32 And under the borders were four wheels; and the axle-trees of the wheels were joined to the base, and the height of a wheel was a cubit and half a cubit. 33 And the work of the wheels was like the work of a chariot-wheel; their axle-trees, and their naves, and their felloes, and their spokes, were all molten. 34 And there were four undersetters to the four corners of one base: and the undersetters were of the very base itself. 35 And in the top of the base was there a round i. e. He shall establish. §. e. In it is strength. i 2 Kings 25. 13. from hie brim to his brim. k2 Chr. 4. 3, 5. 1 E. 1. 10. 10. 14. 41. 19. Hos. 5. 14. Rev. 5. 5. m Gen. 3. 24. Ex. 25. 18. 37. 7. Heb. 9. 5. n 1 Pet. 2. 5. o Ex. 1. 15, &c. weight of the brass, when it was delivered to the workmen, searched or inquired into; so honest were the workmen, and such great plenty of brass they had, that there was no danger of wanting: we must ascribe it to Solomon's care, that he provided so much, not to his carelessness, that he kept no account of it. V. Some particulars of the brass work are described. 1. Two brazen pillars, which were set up in the porch of the temple, (v. 21;) whether under the cover of the porch, or in the open air, is not certain; it was between the temple and the court of the priests. These pillars were neither to hang gates upon, nor to rest any building upon, but purely for ornament and significancy. (1.) What an ornament they were, we may gather from the account here given of the curious work that was about them; checker-work, chain-work, net-work, lily-work, and pomegranates in rows, and all of bright brass; and framed, no doubt, according to the best rules of proportion, to please the eye. (2.) Their significancy is intimated in the names given them; (v. 21,) Jachin-He will establish; and Boaz-In him is strength. Some think they were intended for memorials of the pillar and cloud of fire, which led Israel through the wilderness: I rather think them designed for memorandums to the priests, and others that came to worship at God's door, [1] To depend upon God only, and not upon any sufficiency of their own, for strength and establishment in all their religious exercises. When we come to wait upon God, and find our hearts wandering and unfixed, then, by faith, let us fetch in help from heaven: Jachin--God will fix this roving mind; It is a good thing that the heart be established with grace. We find ourselves weak and unable for holy duties, but this is our encouragement. Boaz-In him is our strength, who works in us both to will and to do. I will go in the strength of the Lord God. Spiritual strength and stability are to be had at the door of God's temple, where we must wait for the gifts of grace, in the use of the means of grace. [2.] It was a memorandum to them, of the strength and establishment of the temple of God among them. Let them keep close to God and duty, and they should never lose their dignities and privileges, but the grant should be confirmed and perpetuated to them. The Gospel church is what God will establish, and what he will strengthen, and what the gates of hell can never prevail against. But with respect to compass of half a cubit high: and on the top of the base the ledges thereof, and the borders thereof, were of the same. 36 For on the plates of the ledges thereof, and on the borders thereof, he graved cherubims, lions, and palm-trees, according to the *proportion of every one, and additions round about. 37 After this manner he made the ten bases: all of them had one casting, one measure, and one size. 38 Then made he ten lavers "of brass: one laver contained forty baths; and every laver was four cubits and upon every one of the ten bases one laver. 39 And he put five bases on the right side of the house, and five on the left side of the house; and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward, over against the south. 40 And Hiram made the lavers, and the shovels, and the basins. So Hiram made an end of doing all the work that he made king Solomon for the house of the LORD; **because they were exceeding many: neither was the weight of the brass found out. 48 And Solomon made all the vessels that pertained unto the house of the LORD; the altar of gold, and the table of gold, whereupon the showbread was. 49 And the candlesticks of pure gold, five on the right side, and five on the left, before the oracle, with the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongues, of gold; 50 And the bowls, and the snuffers, and the basins, and the spoons, and the censers, of pure gold; and the hinges of gold, both for the doors of the inner house, the most holy place, and for the doors of the house, to wit, of the temple. 51 So was ended all the work that king Solomon made for the house of the LORD. And Solomon brought in the things which David "his father had dedicated; even the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, did he put among the treasures of the house of the LORD. CHAPTER VIII. 41 The two pillars, and the two bowls of the chapiters that were on the top of the two pillars; and the two net-works, to cover the two bowls of the chapiters which were upon the top of the pillars; The building and furniture of the temple were very glorious, but the dedication of 42 And four hundred pomegranates for the two net-works, even two rows of pomegranates for one net-work, to cover the two bowls of the chapiters that were upon the pillars; 43 And the ten bases, and ten lavers on the bases; 44 And one sea, and twelve oxen under the sea; 45 And the pots, and the shovels, and the basins and all these vessels, which Hiram made to king Solomon for the house of the LORD, were of "bright brass. 46 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarthan. 47 And Solomon left all the vessels unweighed, • nakedness. p 2 Chr. 4. 6, &c. † shoulder. 1 Heb. Hirom, ver. 13. ver. 17, 18. 5 upon the face of the pillars. T Ex. 27. 3. brass made bright, or, scoured. in the thickness of the ground. Gen. 33. 17. this temple, when it was destroyed, particular notice is taken of the destroying of these pillars, (2 Kings 25. 13, 17,) which had been the tokens of its establishment, and would have been so, if they had not forsaken God. 2. A brazen sea; a very large vessel, above five yards diameter, and which contained above 500 barrels of water for the priests' use, in washing themselves, conducting the sacrifices, and keeping the courts of the temple clean, v. 23, &c. It stood raised upon the figures of twelve oxen in brass, so high, that either they must have stairs to climb up to it, or cocks at the bottom to draw water from it. The Gibeonites, or Nethinim, who were to draw water for the house of God, had the care of filling it. Some think Solomon made the images of oxen to support this great cistern, in contempt of the golden calf, which Israel had worshipped, that (as Bishop Patrick expresses it) the people might see there was nothing worthy of adoration in those figures: they were fitter to make posts of, than to make gods of. Yet this prevailed not to prevent Jeroboam's setting up the calves for deities. In the court of the tabernacle, there was only a laver of brass provided to wash in, but in the court of the temple, a sea of brass; intimating that by the Gospel of Christ, much fuller preparation is made for our cleansing, than was by the law of Moses. That had a laver, this a sea; a fountain opened, Zech. 13. 1. 3. Ten bases, or stands, or settles, of brass, on which were put ten lavers, to be filled with water for the service of the temple, because there would not be room at the molten sea for all that had occasion to wash there. The bases on which the lavers were fixed, are very largely described here, v. 27, &c. They were curiously adorned, and set upon wheels, that the lavers might be removed as there was occasion; but, ordinarily, they stood in two rows, five on one side of the court, and five on the other, v. 39. Each laver contained forty baths, that is, about ten barrels, v. 38. They must be very clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. Spiritual priests and spiritual sacrifices must be washed in the laver of Christ's blood, and of regeneration. We must wash often, for we daily contract pollution; cleanse our hands, and purify our hearts. Plentiful provision is made for our cleansing; so that if we have our lot for ever among the unclean, it will be our own fault. 4. Beside these, there was a vast number of brass pots, made to boil the flesh of the peace-offerings in, which the priests and offerers were to feast upon before the Lord, (see 1 Sam. 2. 14;) also shovels, wherewith they took out the ashes of the altar. Some think the word signifies flesh-hooks, with which they took meat out of the pot. The basins also were made of brass, to receive the blood of the sacrifices. These are put for all the utensils of the brazen altar, Ex. 38. 3. While they were about it, they made abundance of them that they might have a good it exceeds in glory, as much as prayer and praise, the work of saints, exceed the casting of metal, and the graving of stones, the work of the craftsman. The temple was designed for the keeping up of the correspondence between God and his people; and here we have an account of the solemnity of their first meeting there. I. The representatives of all Israel were called together, (v. 1, 2,) to keep a feast to the honour of God, for fourteen days, v. 65. II. The priests brought the ark into the most holy place, and fixed it there, v. 3-9. 11. God took possession of it by a cloud, v. 10, 11. IV. Solomon, with thankful acknowledgment to God, informed the people touching the occasion of their meeting, v. 12-21. V. In a long prayer, he recommended to God's gracious acceptance all the prayers that should be made in or toward this place, v. 22-53. VI. He dismissed the assembly with a blessing, and an exhortation, v. 54-61. VII. He offered abundance of sacrifices, on which he and his people feasted, and so parted, with great satisfaction, v. 62-66. These were Israel's golden days; days of the Son of man in type. THEN «Solomon assembled the elders of Israel, and all the heads of the tribes, the chief of the fathers of the children of Israel, unto king Solomon in Jerusalem, that they might bring up the ark of Josh. 3. 16. for the exceeding multitude. 11 searched, 1 Chr. 22, 14. Ex. 37.25. Lev. 24. 5-8. ‡‡ ash pans. holy things of David. 20 2 Sam. 8. a 2 Chr. 5. 2, &c. princes. 6 2 Sam. 6. 17. stock by them, when those that were first in use, wore out, and went to decay. Thus Solomon, having wherewithal, provided for posterity. V. 48-51. Here is, 1. The making of the gold work of the temple, which, it seems, was done last, for with it the work of the house of God ended. All within doors was gold, and all made new, except the ark, with its mercy seat and cherubims, the old ones being either melted down, or laid by-the golden altar, table, and candlestick, with all their appurtenances. The altar of incense was still one, for Christ and his intercession are so: but he made ten golden tables, 2 Chr. 4. 8, (though here mention is made of that one only, on which the show-bread was, v. 48, which we may suppose larger than the rest, and to which the rest were as sideboards,) and ten golden candlesticks, (v. 49,) intimating the much greater plenty both of spiritual food and heavenly light, which the Gospel blesses us with, than the law of Moses did or could afford. Even the hinges of the doors were of gold, (v. 50,) that every thing might be alike magnificent, and bespeak Solomon's generosity. Some suggest that every thing was made thus splendid in God's temple, to keep the people from idolatry for none of the idol temples were so rich and fine as this: but how little the expedient availed, the event showed. 2. The bringing in of the dedicated things, which his father had devoted to the honour of God, v. 51. What was not expended in the building and furniture, was laid up in the treasury, for repairs, exigencies, and the constant charge of the temple service. What the parents have dedicated to God, the children ought by no means to alienate or recall; they should cheerfully confirm what was intended for pious and charitable uses, that they may, with their estates, inherit the blessing. NOTES TO CHAPTER VIII. V. 1-11 The temple, though richly beautified, while without the ark, was like a body without a soul, or a candlestick without a candle, or (to speak more properly) a house without an inhabitant. All the cost and pains bestowed on this stately structure are lost, if God do not accept them; and unless he please to own it, as the place where he will record his name, it is, after all, but a ruinous heap; when therefore all the work is ended, (ch. 7. 51,) the one thing needful is yet behind, and that is, the bringing in of the ark. This therefore is the end which must crown the work, and which here we have an account of the doing of with great solemnity. I. Solomon presides in this service, as David did in the bringing up of the ark to Jerusalem; and neither of them thought it below him to follow the ark, or to lead the people in their attendance on it. Solomon glories in the title of the preacher, (Ec. 1. 1,) and the master of assemblies, Ec. 12. 11. This the covenant of the LORD out of the city of David, which is Zion. 2 And all the men of Israel assembled themselves unto king Solomon at the feast, in the month Ethanim, which is the seventh month. 3 And all the elders of Israel came, and the priests "took up the ark. 4 And they brought up the ark of the LORD, and the tabernacle of the congregation, and all the holy vessels that were in the tabernacle, even those did the priests and the Levites bring up. 5 And king Solomon, and all the congregation of Israel, that were assembled unto him, were with him before the ark, sacrificing sheep and oxen, that could not be told nor numbered for multitude. 6 And the priests brought in the ark of the covenant of the LORD unto his place, into the oracle of the house, to the most holy place, even under the wings of the cherubims. 7 For the cherubims spread forth their two wings over the place of the ark, and the cherubims covered the ark, and the staves thereof, above. 8 And they drew out the staves, that the *ends d Lev. 23. 34. Num. 4. 15. 1 Chr. 15. 14. f 2 Chr. 1. 3. c 2 Sam, 5.9. great assembly he summons, (v. 1,) and he is the centre of it, for to him they all assembled, (v. 2,) at the feast in the seventh month, namely, the feast of tabernacles, which was appointed on the fifteenth day of that month, Lev. 23. 34. David, like a very good man, brings the ark to a convenient place, near him; Solomon, like a very great man, brings it to a magnificent place. As every man has received the gift, so let him minister; and let children proceed in God's service there where their parents left off. of the staves were seen out in the 'holy place before the oracle, and they were not seen without: and there they are unto this day. 9 There was nothing in the ark, save the two tables of stone, which Moses put there* at Horeb, when the LORD made a covenant with the children of Israel, when they came out of the land of Egypt. 10 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud "filled the house of the LORD, 11 So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD. 12 Then "spake Solomon, The LORD said that he would dwell in the thick darkness." 13 I have surely built thee an house to dwell in, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever. 14 And the king turned his face about, and blessed rall the congregation of Israel: (and all the congregation of Israel stood :) 15 And he said, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, which spake 'with his mouth unto David my father, and hath with his hand fulfilled it, saying, emanation of the divine glory, 1. God put an honour upon the ark, and owned it as a token of his presence. The glory of it had been long diminished and eclipsed by its frequent removes, the meanness of its lodging, and its being exposed too much to common view; but God will now show that it is as dear to him as ever, and he will have it looked upon with as much veneration as it was when Moses first brought it into his tabernacle. 2. He testified his acceptance of the building and furnishing of the temple, as good service done to his name and his kingdom among men. 3. He struck an awe upon this great assembly; and, by what they saw, confirmed their belief of what they read in the books of Moses, concerning the glory of God's apto the service of the God of Israel, and fortified against temptations to idolatry. 4. He showed himself ready to hear the prayer Solomon was now about to make; and not only so, but took up his residence in this house, that all his praying people might there be encouraged to make their applications to him. But the glory of God appeared in a cloud, a dark cloud, to signify, (1.) The darkness of that dispensation, in comparison with the light of the Gospel, by which, with open face, we behold, as in a glass, the glory of the Lord. (2.) The darkness of our present state, in comparison with the vision of God, which will be the happiness of heaven, where the divine Glory is unveiled. Now we can only say what he is not, but then we shall see him as he is. V. 12-21. Here, I. Solomon encourages the priests, who came out of the tem II. All Israel attend the service; their judges, and the chief of their tribes and families; all their officers, civil and military; and (as they speak in the north) the heads of their clans. A convention of these might well be called an assembly of all Is-pearances to their fathers, that hereby they might be kept close rael; these came together, on this occasion, 1. To do honour to Solomon, and to return him the thanks of the nation for all the good offices he had done, in kindness to them. 2. To do honour to the ark, to pay respect to it, and testify their universal joy and satisfaction in its settlement. The advancement of the ark in external splendour, though it has often proved too strong a temptation to its hypocritical followers, yet, because it may prove an advantage to its true interests, is to be rejoiced in (with trembling) by all that wish well to it. Public mercies call for public acknowledgments. They that appeared before the Lord, did not appear empty, for they all sacrificed sheep and oxen innumerable, v. 5. The people, in Solomon's time, were very rich, very easy, and very cheerful, and therefore it was fit that, on this occasion, they should consecrate not only their cheerfulness, but a part of their wealth, to God and his honour. III. The priests do their part of the service. In the wilder-ple from their ministration, much astonished at the dark cloud ness, the Levites were to carry the ark, because then there that overshadowed them. The disciples of Christ feared, when were not priests enough to do it; but here, (it being the last time they entered into the cloud, though it was a bright cloud, (Luke that the ark was to be carried,) the priests themselves did it, as 9. 34;) so did the priests, when they found themselves wrapped they were ordered to do, when it surrounded Jericho. We are in a thick cloud. To silence their fears, 1. He reminds them of here told, 1. What was in the ark; nothing but the two tables that which they could not but know, that this was a token of of stone, (v. 9,) a treasure far exceeding all the dedicated things God's presence; (v. 12,) The Lord said, he would dwell in the both of David and Solomon. The pot of manna, and Aaron's thick darkness. It is so far from being a token of his displearod, were by the ark, but not in it. 2. What was brought up sure, that it is an indication of his favour; for he had said, I with the ark, (v. 4,) the tabernacle of the congregation. It is will appear in a cloud, Lev. 16. 2. Note, Nothing is more ef probable that that which Moses set up in the wilderness, which fectual to reconcile us to dark dispensations, than to consider was in Gibeon, and that which David pitched in Zion, were what God hath said, and to compare his word and works toboth brought to the temple, to which they did, as it were, sur-gether; (as Lev. 10. 3,) This is that which the Lord hath said. render all their holiness, merging it in that of the temple; which God is Light, (1 John 1. 5,) and he dwells in light, (1 Tim. 6. must, henceforward, be the place where God must be sought 16;) but he dwells with men in the thick darkness, makes that his Thus will all the church's holy things on earth, that are pavilion, because they could not bear the dazzling brightness of so much its joy and glory, be swallowed up in the perfection of his glory. Verily thou art a God that hidest himself. Thus our holiness above. 3. Where it was fixed in its place, the place holy faith is exercised, and our holy fear increased; where God appointed for its rest after all its wanderings, (v. 6,) in the oracle dwells in light, faith is swallowed up in vision, and fear in love. of the house, whence they expected God to speak to them, even 2. He himself bids it welcome, as worthy of all acceptation; in the most holy place, which was made so by the presence of and since God, by this cloud, came down to take possession, the ark, under the wings of the great cherubim, which Solomon he does, in a few words, solemnly give him possession; (v. 13,) set up, (ch. 6. 27,) signifying the special protection of angels, Surely I come, says God. "Amen," says Solomon, "Even so, which God's ordinances and the assemblies of his people are come, Lord. The house is thine own, entirely thine own, I have taken under. The staves of the ark were drawn out, so as to surely built it for thee, and furnished it for thee; it is for ever be seen from under the wings of the cherubims, to direct the thine own, a settled place for thee to abide in for ever; it shall high priest to the mercy seat, over the ark, when he went in, never be alienated or converted to any other use; the ark shall once a year, to sprinkle the blood there; so that still they con- never be removed from it, never unsettled again." It is Solotinued of some use, though there was no longer occasion for mon's joy, that God has taken possession; and it is his desire, them to carry it by them. that he would keep possession. Let not the priests therefore dread that in which Solomon so much triumphs. unto. IV. God graciously owns what is done, and testifies his acceptance of it, v. 10, 11. The priests might come into the most holy place, till God manifested his glory there; but, thenceforward, none might, but at their peril, approach the ark, except the high priest, on the day of atonement. Therefore it was not till the priests were come out of the oracle, that the Shechinah took possession of it, in a cloud, which filled not only the most holy place, but the temple, so that the priests who burned incense at the golden altar, could not bear it. By this visible II. He instructs the people, and gives them a plain account concerning this house, which they now saw God take posseɛsion of. He spoke briefly to the priests, to satisfy them: (a word to the wise ;) but turned his face about (v. 14) from them to the congregation that stood in the outer court, and addressed himself to them largely. 1. He blessed them. When they saw the dark cloud enter the temple, they were astonished at it, and afraid lest the thick 16 Since the day that I brought forth my people Israel out of Egypt, I chose no city out of all the tribes of Israel to build an house, that my name might be therein; but I chose David "to be over my people Israel. 17 And it was in the heart of David my father to build an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel. 18 And the LORD said unto David my father, Whereas it was in thine heart to build an house unto my name, thou didst well that it was in thine heart: 19 Nevertheless thou shalt not build the house; but thy son, that shall come forth out of thy loins, he shall build the house unto my name. 20 And the LORD hath performed his word that he spake; and I am risen up in the room of David my father, and sit on the throne of Israel, as "the LORD promised, and have built an house for the name of the LORD God of Israel. 21 And I have set there a place for the ark, wherein is the covenant of the LORD, which he made with our fathers, when he brought them out of the land of Egypt. darkness should be utter darkness to them; the amazing sight, such as they had never seen in their days, we may suppose, drove every man to his prayers, and the vainest minds were made serious by it. Solomon therefore set in with their prayers, and blessed them all; as one having authority, (for the less is blessed of the better,) in God's name, he spake peace to them, and a blessing; like that with which the angel blessed Gideon, when he was in a fright, upon a like occasion; (Judg. 6. 22, 23,) Peace be unto thee; fear not, thou shalt not die. Solomon blessed them, that is, he pacified them, and freed them from the consternation they were in. To receive this blessing, they all stood up, in token of reverence, and readiness to hear and accept it. It is a proper posture to be in, when the blessing is pronounced. 2. He informed them concerning this house which he had built, and was now dedicating. He begins his account with a thankful acknowledgment of the good hand of his God upon him hitherto; Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, v. 15. What we have the pleasure of, God must have the praise of. He thus engaged the congregation to lift up their hearts in thanksgivings to God, which would help to still the tumult of spirit which, probably, they were in. "Come," says he, "let God's awful appearances not drive us from him, but draw us to him; let us bless the Lord God of Israel." Thus Job, under a dark scene, blessed the name of the Lord. Solomon here blessed God, (1.) For his promise which he spake with his mouth to David. (2.) For the performance; that he had now fulfilled it with his hand. We have then the best sense of God's mercies, and most grateful both to ourselves and to our God when we run up those streams to the fountain of the covenant, and compare what God does with what he has said. Solomon is now making a solemn surrender or dedication of this house unto God, delivering it to God by his own act and deed. Grants and conveyances commonly begin with recitals of what has been before done, leading to what is now done: accordingly, here is a recital of the special causes and considerations moving Solomon to build this house. [1] He recites the want of such a place. It was necessary that this should be premised; for, according to the dispensation they were under, there must be one place, in which they must expect God to record his name. If, therefore, there were any other chosen, this would be a usurpation. But he shows, from what God himself had said, that there was no other, (v. 16,) I chose no city to build a house in for my name; therefore there is occasion for the building of this. [2] He recites David's purpose to build such a place. God chose the person first that should rule his people, (I chose David, v. 16,) and then put it into his heart to build a house for God's name, v. 17. It was not a project of his own, for the magnifying of himself; but his good father, of blessed memory, laid the first design of it, though he lived not to lay the first stone. [3.] He recites God's promise concerning himself: God approved his father's purpose; (v. 18,) Thou didst well that it was in thine heart. Note, Sincere intentions to do good shall be graciously approved and accepted of God, though Providence prevent our putting of them in execution. The desire of a man is his kindness. See 2 Cor. 8. 12. God accepted David's good will, yet would not permit him to do the good work, but reserved the honour of it for his son, (v. 19,) He shall build the house to my name; so that what he had done, was not of his own head, nor for his own glory; but the work itself was according to his father's design, and his doing of it was according to God's designation. [1] He recites what he himself had done, and with what intention; I have built a house, not for my own name, but for the name of the Lord God of Israel, (v. 20,) and set there a place 22 And Solomon stood before the altar of the LORD, in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven; God like thee, in heaven above, or on earth beneath, 23 And he said, LORD God of Israel, there is no who "keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart; 24 Who hast kept with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him: thou spakest also with thy mouth, and hast fulfilled it with thine hand, as it is this day. 25 Therefore now, LORD God of Israel, keep with thy servant David my father that thou promisedst him, saying, There shall not fail thee a man in my sight to sit on the throne of Israel; 'so that thy children take heed to their way, that they walk before me, as thou hast walked before me. 26 And now, O God of Israel, let thy word, I pray thee, be verified, which thou spakest unto thy servant David my father. 27 But will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven, and heaven of heavens, cannot contain thee; how much less this house that I have builded! c c. 2. 4. • There shall not be cut off unto thee a man from my sight. ↑ only if. d Ps. 119. 49. e 2 Chr. 2. 6. Is. 66. 1. Jer. 23. 24. Acts 17. 24. f 2 Cor. 12. 2. for the ark, v. 21. Thus all the right, title, interest, claim, and demand, whatsoever, which he or his had, or might have, in or to this house, or any of its appurtenances, he resigns, surrenders, and gives up, to God for ever. It is for his name, and his ark. In this, says he, the Lord hath performed his word that he spake. Note, Whatever good we do, we must look upon it as the performance of God's promise to us, rather than the performance of our promises to him. The more we do for God, the more we are indebted to him; for our sufficiency is of him, and not of ourselves. V. 22-53. Solomon having made a general surrender of this house to God, which God had signified his acceptance of by taking possession, next follows Solomon's prayer; in which he makes a more particular declaration of the uses of that surrender, with all humility and reverence, desiring that God would agree thereto. In short, it is his request that this temple might be deemed and taken, not only for a house of sacrifice, (no mention is made of that in all this prayer, that was taken for granted,) but a house of prayer for all people; and herein it was a type of the Gospel church: see Is. 56. 7, compared with Matt. 21. 13. Therefore Solomon opened this house, not only with an extraordinary sacrifice, but with an extraordinary prayer. I. The person that prayed this prayer, was great. Solomon did not appoint one of the priests to do it, or one of the prophets, but did it himself, in the presence of all the congregation of Israel, v. 22. 1. It was well that he was able to do it; a sign that he had made a good improvement of the pious education which his parents gave him. With all his learning, it seems, he learned to pray well, and knew how to express himself to God in a suitable manner, pro re nata-on the spur of the occasion, without a prescribed form. In the crowd of his philosophical transactions, his proverbs, and songs, he did not forget his devotions. He was a gainer by prayer, (ch. 3. 11, &c.) and, we may suppose, gave himself much to it, so that he excelled, as we find here, in praying gifts. 2. It was well that he was willing to do it, and not shy of performing divine service before so great a congregation; he was far from thinking it any disparagement to him, to be his own chaplain, and the mouth of the assembly to God; and shall any think themselves too great to do this office for their own families? Solomon, in all his other glory, even on his ivory throne, looked not so great as he did now. Great men should thus support the reputation of religious exercises, and so honour God with their greatness. Solomon was herein a type of Christ, the great Intercessor for all over whom he rules. II. The posture in which he prayed was very reverent, and expressive of humility, seriousness, and fervency in prayer. He stood before the altar of the Lord; intimating that he expected the success of his prayer in the virtue of that sacrifice which should be offered up in the fulness of time, typified by the sacrifices offered at that altar. But when he addressed himself to prayer, 1. He kneeled down, as appears, v. 54, where he is said to rise from his knees; compare 2 Chr. 6. 13. Kneeling is the most proper posture for prayer, Eph. 3. 14. The greatest of men must not think it below them, to kneel before the Lord their Maker. Mr. Herbert says, "Kneeling never spoiled silk stockings." 2. He spread forth his hands toward heaven; and, as it should seem by v. 54, continued so, to the end of the prayer, hereby expressing his desire towards, and expectations from, God, as a Father in heaven. He spread forth his hands, as it were to offer up the prayer from an open enlarged heart, and to urge it into heaven; and also to receive the mercy thence, with both arms, which he prayed for. Such outward expressions of the fixedness and fervour of devotion, ought not to be despised or ridiculed, |