I Kings 6
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Commentaries
Excerpts gathered from published commentaries to ground the reading.
In the four hundred and eightieth year - The Septuagint has the four hundred and fortieth year. It need scarcely be noticed, that among chronologists there is a great difference of opinion concerning this epocha. Glycas has 330 years; Melchior Canus, 590 years; Josephus, 592 years; Sulpicius Severus, 588; Clemens Alexandrinus, 570; Cedrenus, 672; Codomanus, 598; Vossius and Capellus, 580; Serarius, 680; Nicholas Abraham, 527; Maestlinus, 592; Petavius and Valtherus, 520. Here are more than a dozen different opinions; and after all, that in the common Hebrew text is as likely to be the true one as any of the others. The month Zif - This answers to a part of our April and May; and was the second month of the sacred year, but the eighth month of the civil year. Before the time of Solomon, the Jews do not appear to have had any names for their months, but mentioned them in the order of their consecutive occurrence, first month, second month, third month, etc. In this chapter we find Zif and Bul; and in Kg1 8:2, we find another, Ethanim; and these are supposed to be borrowed from the Chaldeans; and consequently this book was written after the Babylonish captivity. Before this time we find only the word Abib mentioned as the name of a month, Exo 13:4. Whether there were any others at that time, or whether Abib was really intended as the name of a month, we cannot absolutely say. The present names of the Hebrew months are: - Tisri, answering to a part of September and October, Marchesvan, Cisleu, Tebeth, Shebat, Adar, Nisan, Ijar, Sivan, Tamuz, Ab, and Elul.
Open source ↗THE BUILDING OF SOLOMON'S TEMPLE. (Kg1 6:1-4) the house which king Solomon built for the Lord--The dimensions are given in cubits, which are to be reckoned according to the early standard (Ch2 3:3), or holy cubit (Eze 40:5; Eze 43:13), a handbreadth longer than the common or later one. It is probable that the internal elevation only is here stated.
Open source ↗And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt,.... The Tyrian writers (k) make it five hundred sixty years from hence; but this no doubt is tightest, which Junius reckons thus; forty years Israel were in the wilderness, seventeen under Joshua, two hundred ninety nine under the judges, eighty under Eli, Samuel, and Saul, forty under David, add to which the four years of Solomon, and they make four hundred eighty (l); they are somewhat differently reckoned by others (m) from the coming out of Egypt to Joshua forty years, from thence to the first servitude under Cushan twenty five, from thence to the death of Abimelech two hundred fifty six, under Thola twenty three, from thence to the Ammonitish servitude four, under that eighteen, under the judges, Jephthah, Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon, thirty one, Samuel and Saul forty, David forty, and Solomon three, in all four hundred eighty; in the, fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel; when he was clear of all disturbers of his government, and had got all things ready for the building of the temple, and had gathered together gold and silver enough of his own to defray the expenses; for, as for what David gave him, he put that into the treasury of the Lord's house, see Kg1 7:51; in the month Zif, which is the second month; and so must be Jiar, for Abib or Nisan was the first, and Jiar was the second, which answered to part of our April and part of May; called Zif either from the splendour of the sun, being now higher, and so the greater; or from the trees and flowers of the field being in all their glory; and so the Targum here calls it, the month of splendour of flowers: and it was on the second day of it, that he began to build the house of the Lord: and…
Open source ↗The Outside of the Building. - Kg1 6:1. The building of the temple, a fixed and splendid house of Jehovah as the dwelling-place of His name in the midst of His people, formed an important epoch so far as the Old Testament kingdom of God was concerned, inasmuch as, according to the declaration of God made through the prophet Nathan, an end would thereby be put to the provisional condition of the people of Israel in the land of Canaan, since the temple was to become a substantial pledge of the permanent possession of the inheritance promised by the Lord. The importance of this epoch is indicated by the fact, that the time when the temple was built is defined not merely in relation to the year of Solomon's reign, but also in relation to the exodus of the Israelites out of Egypt. "In the 480th year after the exodus of the sons of Israel out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign, in the second month of the year, Solomon built the house of the Lord." The correctness of the number 480, as contrasted with the 440th year of the lxx and the different statements made by Josephus, is now pretty generally admitted; and we have already proved at Jdg 3:7 that it agrees with the duration of the period of the Judges when rightly estimated. (Note: In opposition to the hypothesis of Bttcher, which has been repeated by Bertheau, viz., that the number 480 merely rests upon the computation of 12 x 40 years, or twelve generations of forty years each, Thenius himself has observed with perfect justice, that "where both the year and the month of the reign of the king in question are given, the principal number will certainly rest upon something more than mere computation; and if this had not been the case, the person making such a computation, if only for the purpose of obt…
Open source ↗Here, I. The temple is called the house of the Lord (Kg1 6:1), because it was, 1. Directed and modelled by him. Infinite Wisdom was the architect, and gave David the plan or pattern by the Spirit, not by word of mouth only, but, for the greater certainty and exactness, in writing (Ch1 28:11, Ch1 28:12), as he had given to Moses in the mouth a draught of the tabernacle. 2. Dedicated and devoted to him and to his honour, to be employed in his service, so his as never any other house was, for he manifested his glory in it (so as never in any other) in a way agreeable to that dispensation; for, when there were carnal ordinances, there was a worldly sanctuary, Heb 9:1, Heb 9:10. This gave it its beauty of holiness, that it was the house of the Lord, which far transcended all its other beauties. II. The time when it began to be built is exactly set down. 1. It was just 480 years after the bringing of the children of Israel out of Egypt. Allowing forty years to Moses, seventeen to Joshua, 299 to the Judges, forty to Eli, forty to Samuel and Saul, forty to David, and four to Solomon before he began the work, we have just the sum of 480. So long it was after that holy state was founded before that holy house was built, which, in less than 430 years, was burnt by Nebuchadnezzar. It was thus deferred because Israel had, by their sins, rendered themselves unworthy of this honour, and because God would show how little he values external pomp and splendour in his service: he was in no haste for a temple. David's tent, which was clean and convenient, though it was neither stately nor rich, nor, for aught that appears, ever consecrated, is called the house of the Lord (Sa2 12:20), and served as well as Solomon's temple; yet, when God gave Solomon great wealth, he put it into his heart…
Open source ↗6:1–8:66 The building of the Temple and palace complex and the celebration of the Temple dedication are central to the 1 Kings account of Solomon’s era. The Temple, erected to glorify God, was Israel’s most important building, so the writer of 1 Kings carefully recorded details of its construction. 6:1 Solomon’s fourth year was about 967 BC. Treating the number 480 as representing calendar years yields a date of about 1446 BC for Israel’s exodus from Egypt. Those who view the number as symbolic (12 generations times 40 years each) suggest that the Exodus occurred at a later date, around 1270 BC (see Exodus Book Introduction, “The Date of the Exodus”).
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
אַרְבַּע (ʼarbaʻ, H702) — four מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction שָׁנֶה (shâneh, H8141) — a year (as a revolution of time) שְׁמֹנִים (shᵉmônîym, H8084) — eighty, also eightieth בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity יָצָא (yâtsâʼ, H3318) — to go (causatively, bring) out, in a great variety of applications, literally and… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) מִצְרַיִם (Mitsrayim, H4714) — Mitsrajim, i.e. Upper and Lower Egypt רְבִיעִי (rᵉbîyʻîy, H7243) — fourth; also (fractionally) a fourth שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor מָלַךְ (mâlak, H4427) — to reign; inceptively, to ascend the throne; causatively, to induct into royalty; hence… חֹדֶשׁ (chôdesh, H2320) — the new moon; by implication, a month זִו (Ziv, H2099) — Ziv (corresponding to Ijar or May)
Open source ↗בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֹרֶךְ (ʼôrek, H753) — length שִׁשִּׁים (shishshîym, H8346) — sixty אַמָּה (ʼammâh, H520) — properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a… רֹחַב (rôchab, H7341) — width (literally or figuratively) עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth קוֹמָה (qôwmâh, H6967) — height שְׁלוֹשִׁים (shᵉlôwshîym, H7970) — thirty; or (ordinal) thirtieth
Open source ↗אוּלָם (ʼûwlâm, H197) — a vestibule (as bound to the building) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… הֵיכָל (hêykâl, H1964) — a large public building, such as a palace or temple בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth אַמָּה (ʼammâh, H520) — properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a… אֹרֶךְ (ʼôrek, H753) — length רֹחַב (rôchab, H7341) — width (literally or figuratively) עֶשֶׂר (ʻeser, H6235) — ten (as an accumulation to the extent of the digits)
Open source ↗בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application חַלּוֹן (challôwn, H2474) — a window (as perforated) אָטַם (ʼâṭam, H331) — to close (the lips or ears); by analology to contract (a window by bevelled jambs) שָׁקֻף (shâquph, H8261) — an embrasure or opening with bevelled jam
Open source ↗קִיר (qîyr, H7023) — a wall (as built in a trench) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) יָצוּעַ (yâtsûwaʻ, H3326) — spread, i.e. a bed; (architecture) an extension, i.e. wing or lean-to (a single story or… סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without… הֵיכָל (hêykâl, H1964) — a large public building, such as a palace or temple דְּבִיר (dᵉbîyr, H1687) — the shrine or innermost part of the sanctuary עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application צֵלָע (tsêlâʻ, H6763) — a rib (as curved), literally (of the body) or figuratively (of a door, i.e. leaf); hence,…
Open source ↗תַּחְתּוֹן (tachtôwn, H8481) — bottommost יָצוּעַ (yâtsûwaʻ, H3326) — spread, i.e. a bed; (architecture) an extension, i.e. wing or lean-to (a single story or… חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five אַמָּה (ʼammâh, H520) — properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a… רֹחַב (rôchab, H7341) — width (literally or figuratively) תִּיכוֹן (tîykôwn, H8484) — central שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8337) — six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth שְׁלִישִׁי (shᵉlîyshîy, H7992) — third; feminine athird (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a… שֶׁבַע (shebaʻ, H7651) — seven (as the sacred full one); also (adverbially) seven times; by implication, a week;… חוּץ (chûwts, H2351) — properly, separate by awall, i.e. outside, outdoors בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) מִגְרָעָה (migrâʻâh, H4052) — a ledge or offset סָבִיב (çâbîyb, H5439) — (as noun) a circle, neighbour, or environs; but chiefly (as adverb, with or without…
Open source ↗בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68) — a stone שָׁלֵם (shâlêm, H8003) — complete (literally or figuratively); especially friendly מַסָּע (maççâʻ, H4551) — a missile (spear or arrow); also a quarry (whence stones are, as it were, ejected) מַקָּבָה (maqqâbâh, H4717) — properly, a perforatrix, i.e. a hammer (as piercing) גַּרְזֶן (garzen, H1631) — an axe כְּלִי (kᵉlîy, H3627) — something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon) בַּרְזֶל (barzel, H1270) — iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement שָׁמַע (shâmaʻ, H8085) — to hear intelligently (often with implication of attention, obedience, etc.; causatively,…
Open source ↗פֶּתַח (pethach, H6607) — an opening (literally), i.e. door (gate) or entrance way תִּיכוֹן (tîykôwn, H8484) — central צֵלָע (tsêlâʻ, H6763) — a rib (as curved), literally (of the body) or figuratively (of a door, i.e. leaf); hence,… יְמָנִי (yᵉmânîy, H3233) — right (i.e. at the right hand) כָּתֵף (kâthêph, H3802) — the shoulder (proper, i.e. upper end of the arm; as being the spot where the garments… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) עָלָה (ʻâlâh, H5927) — to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of… לוּל (lûwl, H3883) — a spiral step שְׁלִישִׁי (shᵉlîyshîy, H7992) — third; feminine athird (part); by extension, a third (day, year or time); specifically, a…
Open source ↗בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3615) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete,… סָפַן (çâphan, H5603) — to hide by covering; specifically, to roof (passive participle as noun, a roof) or… גֵּב (gêb, H1356) — a log (as cut out); also well or cistern (as dug) שְׂדֵרָה (sᵉdêrâh, H7713) — a row, i.e. rank (of soldiers), story (of rooms) אֶרֶז (ʼerez, H730) — a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)
Open source ↗בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) יָצוּעַ (yâtsûwaʻ, H3326) — spread, i.e. a bed; (architecture) an extension, i.e. wing or lean-to (a single story or… בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) חָמֵשׁ (châmêsh, H2568) — five אַמָּה (ʼammâh, H520) — properly, a mother (i.e. unit of measure, or the fore-arm (below the elbow), i.e. a… קוֹמָה (qôwmâh, H6967) — height אָחַז (ʼâchaz, H270) — to seize (often with the accessory idea of holding in possession) עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) אֶרֶז (ʼerez, H730) — a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)
Open source ↗דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude)
Open source ↗בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) יָלַךְ (yâlak, H3212) — to walk (literally or figuratively); causatively, to carry (in various senses) חֻקָּה (chuqqâh, H2708) — {an enactment; hence, an appointment (of time, space, quantity, labor or usage)} עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application מִשְׁפָּט (mishpâṭ, H4941) — properly, a verdict (favorable or unfavorable) pronounced judicially, especially a… שָׁמַר (shâmar, H8104) — properly, to hedge about (as with thorns), i.e. guard; generally, to protect, attend to,… מִצְוָה (mitsvâh, H4687) — a command, whether human or divine (collectively, the Law) קוּם (qûwm, H6965) — to rise (in various applications, literal, figurative, intensive and causative) דָּבָר (dâbâr, H1697) — a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause דָבַר (dâbar, H1696) — perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a… דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Open source ↗שָׁכַן (shâkan, H7931) — to reside or permanently stay (literally or figuratively) תָּוֶךְ (tâvek, H8432) — a bisection, i.e. (by implication) the centre בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עָזַב (ʻâzab, H5800) — to loosen, i.e. relinquish, permit, etc. עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence…
Open source ↗שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) כָּלָה (kâlâh, H3615) — to end, whether intransitive (to cease, be finished, perish) or transitived (to complete,…
Open source ↗Cross-references
Other passages the community most often connects to this one. Tap to read.
But it was Solomon who built the house for Him.
The foundation of the house of the LORD was laid in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign, in the month of Ziv.
you also, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
And give my son Solomon a whole heart to keep and carry out all Your commandments, decrees, and statutes, and to build Your palace for which I have made provision.”
rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.
On the first day of the second month of the second year after the Israelites had come out of the land of Egypt, the LORD spoke to Moses in the Tent of Meeting in the Wilderness of Sinai. He said:
For three hundred years Israel has lived in Heshbon, Aroer, and their villages, as well as all the cities along the banks of the Arnon. Why did you not take them back during that time?
But when Christ came as high priest of the good things that have come, He went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not made by hands and is not a part of this creation.
What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”
For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God.