서론
无标题
英文原文
Great and long preparation had been making for the building of the temple, and here, at length, comes an account of the building of it; a noble piece of work it was, one of the wonders of the world, and taking in its spiritual significancy, one of the glories of the church. Here is, I. The time when it was built (1Ki 6:1), and how long it was in the building, 1Ki 6:37,38. II. The silence with which it was build, 1Ki 6:7. III. The dimensions of it, 1Ki 6:2,3. IV. The message God sent to Solomon, when it was in the building, 1Ki 6:11-13. V. The particulars: windows (1Ki 6:4), chambers (1Ki 6:5,6,8-10), the walls and flooring (1Ki 6:15-18), the oracle (1Ki 6:19-22), the cherubim (1Ki 6:23-30), the doors (1Ki 6:31-35), and the inner court, 1Ki 6:36. Many learned men have well bestowed their pains in expounding the description here given of the temple according to the rules of architecture, and solving the difficulties which, upon search, they find in it; but in that matter, having nothing new to offer, we will not be particular or curious; it was then well understood, and every man's eyes that saw this glorious structure furnished him with the best critical exposition of this chapter.
1-38
The Building of the Temple (1011 BC)
圣殿的建造（公元前1011年）
¹ 以色列人出埃及地后四百八十年，就是所罗门作以色列王第四年西弗月，就是二月，他开工为耶和华建殿。 ² 所罗门王为耶和华所建的殿，长六十肘，宽二十肘，高三十肘。 ³ 殿前的廊子长二十肘，与殿的宽度相等；在殿前宽十肘。 ⁴ 又为殿作了严密的窗户。 ⁵ 靠着殿墙，围着殿的内墙和外殿，又在外殿四围建了厢房。 ⁶ 下层厢房宽五肘，中层宽六肘，第三层宽七肘；因为他在殿的外墙四围留出窄处，免得梁木插入殿墙。 ⁷ 建殿是用山中凿成的石头；建殿的时候，在殿里听不见锤子、斧子和任何铁器的声音。 ⁸ 中层厢房的门在殿的右边；人要以螺旋楼梯登入中层，由中层进入第三层。 ⁹ 这样，他建殿，把殿建完；又用香柏木的梁和板遮盖殿。 ¹⁰ 靠着殿他又建了厢房，高五肘；用香柏木的梁子安放其上。
此处，一、圣殿被称为「耶和华的殿」（王上6:1），因为它是：1. 由他指示、为他所规划的。无限的智慧是其建筑师，借圣灵把计划或样式赐给大卫——不仅口头传授，更为求确定和精确而见诸文字（代上28:11、12），正如他曾把会幕的图样口授给摩西。2. 奉献归给他、归于他的尊荣，用于他的事奉——如此属他，是任何别的房屋所未曾是的，因为他在其中（以一种从未在任何别处的方式）彰显他的荣耀，与那时代的方式相合；因为既有属肉体的条例，就有「属世界的圣幕」（来9:1、10）。这赋予它「圣洁的华美」——它是「耶和华的殿」，这一点远超它其余一切的美。
二、开始建造的时间被准确地记下。1. 这正是以色列人出埃及之后四百八十年。以摩西四十年、约书亚十七年、士师二百九十九年、以利四十年、撒母耳和扫罗四十年、大卫四十年、所罗门开始建殿之前四年计之，恰为四百八十年之数。这圣洁的国家成立之后，过了这么久才建造这圣洁的殿，而这殿在不到四百三十年间，就被尼布甲尼撒焚烧。它如此被耽延，是因为以色列因自己的罪使自己不配得这尊荣，也因为神要显明他多么不看重他事奉中的外在浮华：他并不急于有一座殿。大卫的帐幕既洁净又适用，虽不宏伟、不富丽，也未（据我们所见）行过奉献礼，却被称为「耶和华的殿」（撒下12:20），与所罗门的圣殿一样好用；然而，当神赐给所罗门极大财富之时，他把这心意放在他心里如此使用，并恩慈地悦纳他，主要因为这殿是「将来美事的影儿」（来9:9）。2. 这是在所罗门作王第四年，前三年用于安顿国事，免得在这工程上受其搅扰。为神的工作静默预备自己、摆脱一切可能使我们分心或偏离之事，所花的时间并非虚度。在此期间，他在他父亲所作的预备之外又有所增添（代上22:14），凿石、规整木料，把一切备妥，因此他拖延如此之久并不算怠惰。我们为神的事奉作预备、为自己装备以尽本分之时，正是真实地事奉神。
三、材料都备好，各就各位（王上6:7），备妥到如此地步，以至「建殿之时，殿里听不见锤子或斧子的声音」。所罗门在一切建造上都以之为审慎之则：「在外头预备好器械，然后建造」（箴24:27）。但此处看来，预备工作格外充足而精确，到了这样的程度——当各部分拼合之时，没有什么缺欠需要添加，没有什么差错需要修整。这是和平之神的殿，因此其中不可听见铁器的声音。安静和沉默既适合于、也有助于宗教的操练：神的工作当以尽可能的谨慎和尽可能小的喧嚷来作。圣殿是用斧子和锤子被拆毁的，那些拆毁的人「在会中吼叫」（诗74:4、6）；但它却是在沉默中被建造起来的。喧嚷和暴力常阻碍神的工作，却从不促进它。
四、尺寸被记下（王上6:2、3），按照比例之则。有人注意到，其长和宽正是会幕的两倍。如今以色列人数加增，他们聚会的场所也需要扩大（赛54:1、2），如今他们更富足，也更能扩大它。神在哪里丰厚地撒种，就期望在哪里如此收割。
五、关于窗户的记述（王上6:4）：「宽在内，窄在外」（旁注）。我们心智的眼目也当如此——比看别人更近地反照自己，多向内看以审判自己，少向外看以批评弟兄。窗的窄小暗示了那时代与福音之日相比的黑暗。
六、关于厢房的描述（王上6:5、6），它们作为更衣室之用，会幕的器具在其中被仔细存放，祭司在其中穿脱衣服，留下他们事奉时所穿的衣袍：也许他们就在这些厢房中的某一些里享用圣物。所罗门并不专注于殿的华美，以至忽略其中各项职事所必需的便利，使凡事都可以「规规矩矩地按着次序行」。也留意，不让梁木插入墙中以免削弱墙体，王上6:6。不要以增添教会的美观或便利为借口，而损害教会的力量。
¹¹ 耶和华的话临到所罗门说： ¹² 论到你所建的这殿，你若遵行我的律例，谨守我的典章，遵从我的一切诫命，我必借着我对你父亲大卫所说的话应验在你身上。 ¹³ 我必住在以色列人中间，必不撇弃我的民以色列。 ¹⁴ 所罗门建造殿宇，把它建完。
此处有，一、神在所罗门忙于建殿之时传给他的话。神让他知道，他注意到他所作的事——「你现在所建的这殿」（王上6:12）。凡为己为神忙碌的，没有逃过他的眼的。「我知道你的行为」——你的善行。他向他保证，他若在遵行神圣律法上前进、坚忍，守在当尽本分和真实敬拜神的道路上，神圣的慈爱必向他发出（「我必借着我对你所说的话应验在你身上」），也必向他的国度发出：「以色列必永远被认作我的民；我必『住在他们中间』，『不撇弃他们』。」这话大概借一位先知传给他，1. 借着应许使他在工作中得鼓励、得安慰。也许有时这工程的重担、耗费和劳乏使他巴不得从未开始；但这话能帮助他度过其中的难处——所应许的他家室和国度的坚立，必丰丰富富地报偿他一切的劳苦。着眼应许能带我们欢然走过工作；那些愿公众得益的人，只要能为公众确保并永远存留神同在的记号，便以为没有什么是他们作不出的。2. 借着所附的条件，唤醒他思想：纵然他把殿建得再坚固，其中的荣耀也必速速离去，除非他和他的百姓继续「遵行神的律例」。神明明地让他知道，他和他的百姓在建这殿上所费的一切心力，既不能使他们免于遵行神的律法，也不能在悖逆之时庇护他们免受他的审判。遵守神的诫命，比建造教堂更美好，更讨他喜悦。
二、所罗门为神所作的工：「他建造了殿」（王上6:14），如此被神所传的信息所激励，如此被提醒——不要期望除非他顺从神的律法，神才会认他所建的：「主啊，我就在这些条件上进行，决意遵行你的律例。」神治理的严格，从不驱走好人离开他的事奉，反而激发他们在其中奋发。所罗门建造并建完，他继续这工程，神也与他同行，直到完工。这话既归荣耀给神，也归给他：他没有对工作生厌，没有遭遇什么阻碍（如拉4:24），没有超出自己的财力，也没有作一半，而是既已开始建造，便既能也愿完工；因为他是个有智慧的建造者。
¹⁵ 他用香柏木板建殿内的墙，从殿的地面到墙顶，都用香柏木遮蔽；又用松木板铺殿的地面。 ¹⁶ 他在殿的后部二十肘之地，用香柏木板从地面到墙顶遮蔽；他为殿在内里建了内殿，就是至圣所。 ¹⁷ 殿的前部，就是圣所，长四十肘。 ¹⁸ 殿内的香柏木上刻着野瓜和初开的花；全殿都包着香柏木，看不见石头。 ¹⁹ 他在殿内预备了内殿，为要安放耶和华的约柜。 ²⁰ 内殿在殿的前部，长二十肘，宽二十肘，高二十肘；他用纯金包裹；又把香柏木作的坛遮盖在内。 ²¹ 所罗门用纯金包裹殿的内里；又在内殿前用金链子作隔开；他也用金包裹。 ²² 他用金包裹全殿，直到把全殿都建完；又把内殿旁的整座坛都用金包裹。 ²³ 他在内殿用橄榄木作两个基路伯，各高十肘。 ²⁴ 这基路伯的一个翅膀长五肘，那个翅膀也长五肘；从这翅膀尖到那翅膀尖共有十肘。 ²⁵ 那第二个基路伯也是十肘；两个基路伯的尺寸、大小都是一样。 ²⁶ 这一个基路伯高十肘，那一个也是如此。 ²⁷ 他把基路伯安在内殿之中；基路伯的翅膀展开，这一个基路伯的翅膀挨着这边的墙，那一个基路伯的翅膀挨着那边的墙；里边的两个翅膀在殿中间彼此相接。 ²⁸ 他又用金包裹两个基路伯。 ²⁹ 殿内四围的墙上都刻着基路伯、棕树和初开的花的图案，里外都是如此。 ³⁰ 殿的地板，他里外都用金铺贴。 ³¹ 至于内殿的入口，他用橄榄木作了门扇；门楣和门框占墙的五分之一。 ³² 两扇门都是橄榄木的；他在上面刻着基路伯、棕树和初开的花的雕刻，又用金包裹，把金铺在基路伯和棕树上。 ³³ 殿的门他也照样用橄榄木作了门框，占墙的四分之一。 ³⁴ 两扇门是用松木作的；这门的两扇摺门可以转动，那门的两扇摺门也可以转动。 ³⁵ 上面刻着基路伯、棕树和初开的花；又用金子贴在雕刻之上。 ³⁶ 他又建内院，用三层凿成的石头和一层香柏木梁。 ³⁷ 王下立耶和华殿的根基，是在第四年西弗月。 ³⁸ 到了第十一年布勒月，就是第八月，殿的各部分都按着一切的样式完工了。他建殿共用了七年。
此处，一、我们对建筑的细节有了具体的记述。
1. 圣殿的护墙板。那是用香柏木作的（王上6:15），坚固耐久，气味极为芳香。护墙板上精巧地雕刻着圆饰（如同蛋或苹果）和花朵，无疑照当时的风尚（王上6:18）。
2. 镀金。那不像我们的镀金，是镀上一层，而是「全殿」，圣殿内的一切（王上6:22），连地面（王上6:30），他都「用金包裹」，至圣所用「纯金」（王上6:21）。所罗门不惜任何必要的费用，使它各方面都富丽堂皇。在那里金子就在脚下，正如在一切活的殿中所当如此的：它的丰富使它贬值。
3. 内殿，即「发言之处」（原文如此）——「至圣所」之所以如此称呼，是因为神在那里向摩西，也许也向大祭司——当他借审判的胸牌求问之时——说话。在这个地方「要安放约柜」（王上6:19）。所罗门把一切都更新了，比从前更加宏伟，唯有约柜除外——约柜仍是摩西所造的那一个，连同其施恩座和基路伯；那是神同在的记号，无论他的百姓在帐幕中或圣殿中聚会，这同在总是一样，不随他们的处境而改变。
4. 基路伯。除了约柜施恩座两端那遮掩约柜的之外，（1）所罗门又立了两个很大的，是少年人的形象（如有人所想），翅膀用橄榄木制造，全用金包裹，王上6:23-28等。这至圣所比会幕中的大得多，因此约柜在其中会显得失落，光秃的墙壁也不雅观，若非如此装饰的话。（2）他在殿的一切墙上都雕刻了基路伯，王上6:29。外邦人立他们神祇的像来敬拜；但这些是为要代表以色列之神的仆人和侍从——圣天使，不是要被人敬拜的（「千万不可」），而是要显明我们所当敬拜的那位是何等伟大。
5. 门扇。通入内殿的摺门只占墙的五分之一（王上6:31），通入圣所的占四分之一（王上6:33）；但两者都饰以其上雕刻的基路伯，王上6:32、35。
6. 内院，祭司事奉的铜祭坛就在其中。这院与百姓所在的院子之间，由一道矮墙隔开，三行凿成的石头上端有一道香柏木的飞檐（王上6:36），使百姓可以在其上看见所作的，听见祭司对他们所说的；因为即使在那时代，他们也没有完全被留在黑暗中，或被远远隔开。
7. 建造这殿所花的时间。从奠基到完工不过七年半，王上6:38。考虑到建筑的浩大和华美，以及使其合用所必需的许多附属物，这工程算是快的。所罗门对此十分认真，经费充足，没有什么能使他分心，许多手使工作快速。他把殿连同「一切的附属物，一切的条例」（旁注如此）建完，不仅建了地方，也推进了为之而建的事工。
二、现在让我们看看这殿所预表的。1. 基督就是真正的圣殿；他自己曾论到「他身体的殿」（约2:21）。神自己为他预备了身体（来10:5）。「神本性一切的丰盛都有形有体地居住在他里面」，如同舍金纳（Shechinah）在圣殿中。在他里面，神一切属灵的以色列人都会合。借着他，我们得以坦然无惧地进到神面前。神一切的使者——那些蒙福的基路伯——都受命敬拜他。2. 每一个信徒都是活的殿，神的灵住在其中（林前3:16）。甚至身体因与灵魂联合也是如此（林前6:19）。我们不仅借神圣的护理奇妙地被造，更借神圣的恩典奇妙地被重造。这活的殿建在基督这根基上，到了时候必得以完全。3. 福音的教会是奥秘的圣殿；它「渐渐成为主里的圣殿」（弗2:21），被圣灵的恩赐和恩典丰富而华美地装饰，正如所罗门的殿用金子和宝石装饰。会幕只是犹太人建造的，但建殿时外邦人也与他们一同。甚至外人和寄居的也被建作「神的居所」（弗2:19、22）。圣殿分为圣所和至圣所，其院子分为外院和内院；照样，有有形的教会和无形的教会。通入圣所的门比通入内殿的门宽。许多人进入信仰的宣认，却达不到救恩。这殿建得稳固，在磐石上，不像旧约的会幕那样被拆下。圣殿预备了很久，但终究建成。福音之殿的房角石终必带着欢呼声被安放，可惜在建殿之中竟有斧子和锤子的碰撞之声。天使是事奉的灵，从四面护卫着教会和它一切的肢体。4. 天堂是永远的殿。在那里教会必被坚固，不再移动。新耶路撒冷的街道，为与圣殿的地面呼应，据说「是纯金的」（启21:21）。那里的基路伯永远事奉荣耀的宝座。圣殿是统一的，天堂有完全的美丽与和谐。所罗门的殿中没有斧子和锤子的声音。在天堂里一切都是安静、宁静的；凡要作那殿中之石的人，在现今这试炼和预备的状态中，必须被装备、被备妥，必须借神圣的恩典被凿成、被规整，如此才配在其中有一席之地。
英文原文
The Building of the Temple (1011 BC)
¹ 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, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD.
² And the house which king Solomon built for the LORD, the length thereof was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits.
³ And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house; and ten cubits was the breadth thereof before the house.
⁴ And for the house he made windows of narrow lights.
⁵ And against the wall of the house he built chambers round about, against the walls of the house round about, both of the temple and of the oracle: and he made chambers round about:
⁶ The nethermost chamber was five cubits broad, and the middle was six cubits broad, and the third was seven cubits broad: for without in the wall of the house he made narrowed rests round about, that the beams should not be fastened in the walls of the house.
⁷ And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.
⁸ The door for the middle chamber was in the right side of the house: and they went up with winding stairs into the middle chamber, and out of the middle into the third.
⁹ So he built the house, and finished it; and covered the house with beams and boards of cedar.
¹⁰ And then he built chambers against all the house, five cubits high: and they rested on the house with timber of cedar.
Here, I. The temple is called the house of the Lord (1Ki 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 (1Ch 28:11,12), 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 9:1,10. 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 (2Sa 12:20), and served as well as Solomon's temple; yet, when God gave Solomon great wealth, he put it into his heart thus to employ it, and graciously accepted him, chiefly because it was to be a shadow of good things to come, Heb 9:9. 2. It was in the fourth year of Solomon's reign, the first three years being taken up in settling the affairs of his kingdom, that he might not find any embarrassment from them in this work. It is not time lost which is spent in composing ourselves for the work of God, and disentangling ourselves from every thing which might distract or divert us. During this time he was adding to the preparations which his father had made (1Ch 22:14), hewing the stone, squaring the timber, and getting every thing ready, so that he is not to be blamed for slackness in deferring it so long. We are truly serving God when we are preparing for his service and furnishing ourselves for it.
III. The materials are brought in, ready for their place (1Ki 6:7), so ready that there was neither hammer nor ax heard in the house while it was in building. In all building Solomon prescribes it as a rule of prudence to prepare the work in the field, and afterwards build, Pr 24:27. But here, it seems, the preparation was more than ordinarily full and exact, to such a degree that, when the several parts came to be put together, there was nothing defective to be added, nothing amiss to be amended. It was to be the temple of God of peace, and therefore no iron tool must be heard in it. Quietness and silence both become and befriend religious exercises: God's work should be done with as much care and as little noise as may be. The temple was thrown down with axes and hammers, and those that threw it down roared in the midst of the congregation (Ps 74:4,6); but it was built up in silence. Clamour and violence often hinder the work of God, but never further it.
IV. The dimensions are laid down (1Ki 6:2,3) according to the rules of proportion. Some observe that the length and breadth were just double to that of the tabernacle. Now that Israel had grown more numerous the place of their meeting needed to be enlarged (Isa 54:1,2), and now that they had grown richer they were the better able to enlarge it. Where God sows plentifully he expects to reap so.
V. An account of the windows (1Ki 6:4): They were broad within, and narrow without, Marg. Such should the eyes of our mind be, reflecting nearer on ourselves than on other people, looking much within, to judge ourselves, but little without, to censure our brethren. The narrowness of the lights intimated the darkness of that dispensation, in comparison with the gospel day.
VI. The chambers are described (1Ki 6:5,6), which served as vestries, in which the utensils of the tabernacle were carefully laid up, and where the priests dressed and undressed themselves and left the clothes in which they ministered: probably in some of these chambers they feasted upon the holy things. Solomon was not so intent upon the magnificence of the house as to neglect the conveniences that were requisite for the offices thereof, that every thing might be done decently and in order. Care was taken that the beams should not be fastened in the walls to weaken them, 1Ki 6:6. Let not the church's strength be impaired under pretence of adding to its beauty or convenience.
¹¹ And the word of the LORD came to Solomon, saying,
¹² Concerning this house which thou art in building, if thou wilt walk in my statutes, and execute my judgments, and keep all my commandments to walk in them; then will I perform my word with thee, which I spake unto David thy father:
¹³ And I will dwell among the children of Israel, and will not forsake my people Israel.
¹⁴ So Solomon built the house, and finished it.
Here is, I. The word God sent to Solomon, when he was engaged in building the temple. God let him know that he took notice of what he was doing, the house he was now building, 1Ki 6:12. None employ themselves for God without having his eye upon them. "I know thy works, thy good works." He assured him that if he would proceed and persevere in obedience to the divine law, and keep in the way of duty and the true worship of God, the divine loving-kindness should be drawn out both to himself (I will perform my word with thee) and to his kingdom: "Israel shall be ever owned as my people; I will dwell among them, and not forsake them." This word God sent him probably by a prophet, 1. That by the promise he might be encouraged and comforted in his work. Perhaps sometimes the great care, expense, and fatigue of it, made him ready to wish he had never begun it; but this would help him through the difficulties of it, that the promised establishment of his family and kingdom would abundantly recompense all his pains. An eye to the promise will carry us cheerfully through our work; and those who wish well to the public will think nothing too much that they can do to secure and perpetuate to it the tokens of God's presence. 2. That, by the condition annexed, he might be awakened to consider that though he built the temple ever so strong the glory of it would soon depart, unless he and his people continued to walk in God's statutes. God plainly let him know that all this charge which he and his people were at, in erecting this temple, would neither excuse them from obedience to the law of God nor shelter them from his judgments in case of disobedience. Keeping God's commandments is better, and more pleasing to him, than building churches.
II. The work Solomon did for God: So he built the house (1Ki 6:14), so animated by the message God had sent him, so admonished not to expect that God should own his building unless he were obedient to his laws: "Lord, I proceed upon these terms, being firmly resolved to walk in thy statutes." The strictness of God's government will never drive a good man from his service, but quicken him in it. Solomon built and finished, he went on with the work, and God went along with him till it was completed. It is spoken both to God's praise and his: he grew not weary of the work, met not with any obstructions (as Ezr 4:24), did not out-build his property, nor do it by halves, but, having begun to build, was both able and willing to finish; for he was a wise builder.
¹⁵ And he built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar, both the floor of the house, and the walls of the ceiling: and he covered them on the inside with wood, and covered the floor of the house with planks of fir.
¹⁶ And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the house, both the floor and the walls with boards of cedar: he even built them for it within, even for the oracle, even for the most holy place.
¹⁷ And the house, that is, the temple before it, was forty cubits long.
¹⁸ And the cedar of the house within was carved with knops and open flowers: all was cedar; there was no stone seen.
¹⁹ And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
²⁰ And the oracle in the forepart was twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits in the height thereof: and he overlaid it with pure gold; and so covered the altar which was of cedar.
²¹ So Solomon overlaid the house within with pure gold: and he made a partition by the chains of gold before the oracle; and he overlaid it with gold.
²² And the whole house he overlaid with gold, until he had finished all the house: also the whole altar that was by the oracle he overlaid with gold.
²³ And within the oracle he made two cherubims of olive tree, each ten cubits high.
²⁴ And five cubits was the one wing of the cherub, and five cubits the other wing of the cherub: from the uttermost part of the one wing unto the uttermost part of the other were ten cubits.
²⁵ And the other cherub was ten cubits: both the cherubims were of one measure and one size.
²⁶ The height of the one cherub was ten cubits, and so was it of the other cherub.
²⁷ And he set the cherubims within the inner house: and they stretched forth the wings of the cherubims, so that the wing of the one touched the one wall, and the wing of the other cherub touched the other wall; and their wings touched one another in the midst of the house.
²⁸ And he overlaid the cherubims with gold.
²⁹ And he carved all the walls of the house round about with carved figures of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, within and without.
³⁰ And the floor of the house he overlaid with gold, within and without.
³¹ And for the entering of the oracle he made doors of olive tree: the lintel and side posts were a fifth part of the wall.
³² The two doors also were of olive tree; and he carved upon them carvings of cherubims and palm trees and open flowers, and overlaid them with gold, and spread gold upon the cherubims, and upon the palm trees.
³³ So also made he for the door of the temple posts of olive tree, a fourth part of the wall.
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.
³⁵ And he carved thereon cherubims and palm 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.
Here, I. We have a particular account of the details of the building.
1. The wainscot of the temple. It was of cedar (1Ki 6:15), which was strong and durable, and of a very sweet smell. The wainscot was curiously carved with knops (like eggs or apples) and flowers, no doubt as the fashion then was, 1Ki 6:18.
2. The gilding. It was not like ours, washed over, but the whole house, all the inside of the temple (1Ki 6:22), even the floor (1Ki 6:30), he overlaid with gold, and the most holy place with pure gold, 1Ki 6:21. Solomon would spare no expense necessary to make it every way sumptuous. Gold was under foot there, as it should be in all the living temples: the abundance of it lessened its worth.
3. The oracle, or speaking-place (for so the word signifies), the holy of holies, so called because thence God spoke to Moses, and perhaps to the high priest, when he consulted with the breast-plate of judgment. In this place the ark of the covenant was to be set, 1Ki 6:19. Solomon made every thing new, and more magnificent than it had been, except the ark, which was still the same that Moses made, with its mercy-seat and cherubim; that was the token of God's presence, which is always the same with his people whether they meet in tent or temple, and changes not with their condition.
4. The cherubim. Besides those at the ends of the mercy-seat, which covered the ark, (1.) Solomon set up two more, very large ones, images of young men (as some think), with wings made of olive-wood, and all overlaid with gold, 1Ki 6:23-28, etc. This most holy place was much larger than that in the tabernacle, and therefore the ark would have seemed lost in it, and the dead wall would have been unsightly, if it had not been thus adorned. (2.) He carved cherubim upon all the walls of the house, 1Ki 6:29. The heathen set up images of their gods and worshipped them; but these were designed to represent the servants and attendants of the God of Israel, the holy angels, not to be themselves worshipped (see thou do it not), but to show how great he is whom we are to worship.
5. The doors. The folding doors that led into the oracle were but a fifth part of the wall (1Ki 6:31), those into the temple were a fourth part (1Ki 6:33); but both were beautified with cherubim engraven on them, 1Ki 6:32,35.
6. The inner court, in which the brazen altar was at which the priests ministered. This was separated from the court where the people were by a low wall, three rows of hewn stone tipped with a cornice of cedar (1Ki 6:36), that over it the people might see what was done and hear what the priests said to them; for, even under that dispensation, they were not kept wholly either in the dark or at a distance.
7. The time spent in this building. It was but seven years and a half from the founding to the finishing of it, 1Ki 6:38. 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 for which it was built.
II. Let us now see what was typified by this temple. 1. Christ is the true temple; he himself spoke of the temple of his body, Joh 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 angels of God, those blessed cherubim, have a charge to worship him. 2. Every believer is a living temple, in whom the Spirit of God dwells, 1Co 3:16. Even the body is such by virtue of its union with the soul, 1Co 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 perfected 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 joined with them in building the temple. Even strangers 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 are the visible and the invisible church. The door into the temple was wider than that into the oracle. Many enter into profession 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 it. Angels are ministering spirits, attending the church on all sides and all the members of it. 4. Heaven is the everlasting temple. There the church will be fixed, and no longer movable. The streets of the new Jerusalem, in allusion to the flooring of the temple, are said to be of pure gold, Re 21:21. The cherubim 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 sate 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.
建造圣殿的预备工程既大且久，本章终于记述圣殿的建造。这是一项宏伟的工程，堪称世界奇观之一；若论其属灵的寓意，更是教会的荣耀之一。本章记载如下：I. 建殿的时间（王上6:1），以及建造所费的时日，王上6:37-38。II. 建造时的静默无声，王上6:7。III. 圣殿的尺度，王上6:2-3。IV. 建殿期间神差遣给所罗门的信息，王上6:11-13。V. 各项细节：窗户（王上6:4），旁屋（王上6:5-6、8-10），墙壁与地面（王上6:15-18），内殿即至圣所（王上6:19-22），基路伯（王上6:23-30），门扇（王上6:31-35），以及内院，王上6:36。许多学者曾根据建筑学的原理，费力阐释此处对圣殿的描述，并解答他们在研读中发现的疑难；但在这一方面，我们既无新的见解可献，就不必过于细致或好奇地探究；当时的人对此了然于胸，每一个亲眼目睹这荣耀建筑的，他自己的双眼便为这一章提供了最好的注解。