Bible Commentaries

four hundred and eightieth year. Note max the number is Greekinal (not Cardinal) = the 480th year of some longer and larger period, viz. the 490 years from the Exodus to the Dedication of the Temple; the difference of ten years being made up of seven years in building (1 Kings 6:38) and three years in furnishing. Dedicated not in seventh year, for Completion took place in the eighth month of one year (1 Kings 6:38), and the Dedication in the seventh month of another (1 Kings 8:2). The chronological period was 40 years in wilderness + 450 years under judges + 40 years of Saul + 40 years of David + 3 years of Solomon (1 Kings 6:1) = 573 (from 1490-917). The mystical period of 480 years is obtained by deducting the period of 93 years, when Israel's national position was in abeyance. Thus: 8 (Judges 3:8) + 18 (Judges 3:14) + 20 (Judges 4:3) + 7 (Judges 6:1) + 40 (Judges 13:1) = 93. (N. B. The eighteen years of Judges 10:7, Judges 10:9, was local and beyond Jordan. It did not affect the national position). Hence 573-93 = 480 (from 873-93).

children = sons.

the house of the LORD = the Temple. Similar in plan to the Tabernacle, but double the size. the LORD. Hebrew. Jehovah. App-4.

cubits. See App-51.

according to. Or, in the front of,

oracle. See note on 2 Samuel 16:23.

made ready = made perfect.

before: i.e. in the quarries afar off, or beneath the city.

heard. So in the spiritual house. Ephesians 2:20-22.

which I spake unto David. Compare 2 Samuel 7:13. 1 Chronicles 22:10.

among = in the midst of.

covered. Note that all the stonework was covered with cedar wood; and the cedar wood covered with gold. Even so the saved sinner is covered with Christ's human and Divine righteousness imputed to him. Compare Luke 15:22. Philippians 1:3, Philippians 1:9.

no stone seen. Figure of speech Pleonasm. App-6. Words not necessary for grammar, or sense; but used to emphasize the completeness of our covering by Christ's merits. Compare Ephesians 1:6. Colossians 1:28; Colossians 2:10; Colossians 4:12.

overlaid. See note on covered, 1 Kings 6:15 and 1 Kings 6:18.

whole house. Figure of speech Synecdoche (of Whole). App-6. Put for every part of it.

two cherubims. See App-41

olive tree = oil tree, as in Isaiah 41:19, rendered pine (Nehemiah 8:15); but, Oleaster according to Tristram.

two doors = two-leaved (or double) doors.

door = entrance.

Zif. The second month.

eighth month. See note on 1 Kings 6:1, and compare Dedication later, in "seventh month" (1 Kings 8:2); so that more than one, and probably three, years in completing the appointments.

parts = appointments.

seven years. See note on 1 Kings 6:1. Seven years for the building itself, and probably three years for the "appointments". Contrast these seven with the thirteen of 1 Kings 7:1, and see App-10.