1 Kings 7:12
The great courtyard was surrounded by three rows of dressed stone and a row of trimmed cedar beams, as were the inner courtyard and portico of the house of the LORD.
The great courtyard
The great courtyard refers to the outer court of Solomon's Temple, a significant area for public worship and gatherings. This courtyard was a place where the Israelites could come to offer sacrifices and participate in religious festivals. It reflects the grandeur and importance of the Temple as a central place of worship in Israel.

was surrounded by three rows of dressed stone
The use of dressed stone indicates the high quality and craftsmanship involved in the construction. Dressed stones were carefully cut and smoothed, signifying the importance and sacredness of the Temple. This construction method is consistent with other ancient Near Eastern temples, emphasizing durability and beauty.

and a row of trimmed cedar beams
Cedar was a valuable and durable wood, often associated with strength and longevity. The use of cedar beams in the Temple's construction highlights the opulence and divine favor bestowed upon Solomon. Cedar was imported from Lebanon, indicating the extensive trade networks and alliances Solomon maintained.

as were the inner courtyard and portico of the house of the LORD
The inner courtyard and portico were also constructed with the same materials, ensuring uniformity and continuity in the Temple's design. The inner courtyard was more exclusive, reserved for priests and Levites, symbolizing a closer proximity to God's presence. The portico, or porch, served as an entrance to the Temple, representing a transition from the secular to the sacred. This design reflects the layered approach to holiness, with increasing sanctity as one moves closer to the Holy of Holies.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
The king of Israel who commissioned the building of the temple and his own palace. His reign is marked by wisdom and prosperity.

2. The Great Courtyard
Part of Solomon's palace complex, showcasing the grandeur and meticulous craftsmanship of the era.

3. Cut Stone and Cedar Beams
Materials used in the construction, symbolizing strength, durability, and the wealth of Solomon's kingdom.

4. The House of the LORD
Refers to the temple Solomon built, a central place of worship for the Israelites.

5. The Portico
An architectural feature of the temple, indicating the attention to detail and the importance of aesthetics in worship spaces.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Excellence in Worship
The use of high-quality materials and skilled craftsmanship in the temple and palace construction reflects the value of offering our best to God in worship.

Symbolism of Materials
The cut stone and cedar beams symbolize strength and beauty, reminding us of the enduring and majestic nature of God's presence.

Continuity of Worship
The design of the temple and palace courtyards reflects a continuity of worship practices from the tabernacle, emphasizing the importance of tradition in faith.

God's Provision and Blessing
The wealth and resources available to Solomon for these projects illustrate God's provision and blessing, encouraging us to trust in His provision for our needs.

Spiritual Foundations
Just as the physical structures were built on strong foundations, our spiritual lives should be grounded in the truth of God's Word.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the use of high-quality materials in Solomon's construction projects reflect our approach to worship and service today?

2. In what ways can the symbolism of cut stone and cedar beams be applied to our spiritual lives and the building of our faith?

3. How does the continuity of worship practices from the tabernacle to the temple inform our understanding of tradition in the church?

4. What can we learn from Solomon's reliance on God's provision for his building projects about trusting God in our own lives?

5. How can we ensure that our spiritual foundations are as strong and enduring as the physical foundations of Solomon's temple and palace?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Kings 6
Describes the construction of the temple, providing context for the materials and methods used in Solomon's building projects.

2 Chronicles 3-4
Offers a parallel account of the temple's construction, emphasizing the significance of the temple in Israel's religious life.

Exodus 27
Details the construction of the tabernacle, the precursor to the temple, highlighting continuity in worship practices.

Psalm 84
Expresses the psalmist's longing for the courts of the LORD, underscoring the spiritual significance of these sacred spaces.
Building God's House and One's OwnJ. Parker, D. D.1 Kings 7:1-12
The Satisfaction of Completing a Work1 Kings 7:1-12
People
Boaz, David, Hiram, Huram, Jachin, Naphtali, Pharaoh, Solomon
Places
Hall of Judgment, Hall of Pillars, Hall of the Throne, House of the Forest of Lebanon, Jordan River, Most Holy Place, Succoth, Tyre, Zarethan
Topics
Beams, Boards, Cedar, Cedar-beams, Cedar-wood, Course, Courses, Court, Courtyard, Covered, Cut, Dressed, Hewed, Hewn, Inner, Inside, King's, Line, Lines, Open, Outer, Porch, Portico, Room, Round, Row, Rows, Square, Squared, Stone, Stones, Surrounded, Temple, Trimmed, Vestibule, Wall, Walled
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Kings 7:12

     5271   courtyard
     5604   walls

1 Kings 7:1-12

     5207   architecture
     5437   palaces
     5776   achievement

1 Kings 7:9-12

     4366   stones
     5340   house

1 Kings 7:9-14

     5212   arts and crafts

1 Kings 7:11-12

     4424   cedar

Library
Gadara
There was a double Gadara. One at the shore of the Mediterranean sea: that was first called Gezer, 1 Kings 9:15. In Josephus, "Simon destroyed the city Gazara, and Joppe, and Jamnia."--And in the Book of the Maccabees, "And he fortified Joppe, which is on the sea, and Gazara, which is on the borders of Azotus." At length, according to the idiom of the Syrian dialect, Zain passed into Daleth; and instead of Gazara, it was called Gadara. Hence Strabo, after the mention of Jamnia, saith, "and there
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Hiram, the Inspired Artificer
BY REV. W. J. TOWNSEND, D.D. The Temple of Solomon was the crown of art in the old world. There were temples on a larger scale, and of more massive construction, but the enormous masses of masonry of the oldest nations were not comparable with the artistic grace, the luxurious adornments, and the harmonious proportions of this glorious House of God. David had laid up money and material for the great work, but he was not permitted to carry it out. He was a man of war, and blood-stained hands were
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known

Whether any Preparation and Disposition for Grace is Required on Man's Part?
Objection 1: It would seem that no preparation or disposition for grace is required on man's part, since, as the Apostle says (Rom. 4:4), "To him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned according to grace, but according to debt." Now a man's preparation by free-will can only be through some operation. Hence it would do away with the notion of grace. Objection 2: Further, whoever is going on sinning, is not preparing himself to have grace. But to some who are going on sinning grace is given, as is
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Adam and Zaretan, Joshua 3
I suspect a double error in some maps, while they place these two towns in Perea; much more, while they place them at so little a distance. We do not deny, indeed, that the city Adam was in Perea; but Zaretan was not so. Of Adam is mention, Joshua 3:16; where discourse is had of the cutting-off, or cutting in two, the waters of Jordan, that they might afford a passage to Israel; The waters rose up upon a heap afar off in Adam. For the textual reading "In Adam," the marginal hath "From Adam." You
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

That the Ruler Should be a Near Neighbour to Every one in Compassion, and Exalted Above all in Contemplation.
The ruler should be a near neighbour to every one in sympathy, and exalted above all in contemplation, so that through the bowels of loving-kindness he may transfer the infirmities of others to himself, and by loftiness of speculation transcend even himself in his aspiration after the invisible; lest either in seeking high things he despise the weak things of his neighbours, or in suiting himself to the weak things of his neighbours he relinquish his aspiration after high things. For hence it is
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.),
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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