Having built a “house of cedars” for himself, David realized that the Ark of the Covenant was “under curtains,” meaning it was housed not in the tabernacle but merely “a tent” which he had pitched for it (2 Chron. 1:4). Seeing the need, he was prompted to take action.
Do our things have priority over the house of God? Who has the first consideration, ourselves or Christ? Children are quick to sense whether their parents have their values right and will set their lives on the same course.
“David gave to Solomon his son the pattern” of the proposed house of the Lord, which he had received “by the Spirit.” In his brief description, he starts outside with the courts and the porch and ends inside with the place of the mercy seat. “All this,” said David, “the Lord made me understand in writing by His hand upon me, even all the works of this pattern” (1 Chron. 28:11, 19).
“In writing,” the Lord has also provided in the New Testament the pattern for a local assembly, the spiritual counterpart of the temple, and by the Spirit we need to understand “the workings of this pattern.”
The plan of the temple was given by God. The materials were prepared by David, and the building was erected by Solomon. All this is not without significance in respect to the Church, the spiritual counterpart.
David told Solomon, his son, “It was in my mind to build an house unto the name of the Lord…” (1 Chron. 22:7). In eternity, the Church was conceived in the mind and counsels of God. Then, in the fullness of time, Christ came and, like “David who prepared abundantly before his death” for the Temple (1 Chron. 22:5), He made preparation not only before but also by His death for the Church. Now, in this day of grace, the risen and glorified Christ, of whom Solomon is a type, is building the spiritual temple of God.
Solomon, during his reign of peace, was fitted by God to build the temple, but David carried out the preparatory work. Reflecting upon it, David said, “In my trouble, (or low estate, R.V.) I have prepared for the house of the Lord…” (1 Chron. 22:14): Our Lord’s life on earth was one of trouble and “in His humiliation,” or “in His low estate” (lit.), He was denied justice (Acts 8: 33), culminating in death on a Roman gibbet. But in His death He gave Himself for the Church (Eph. 5:25).
Noting the alternative rendering in the margin, we continue, “In my poverty,” said David, “I have prepared…100,000 talents of gold, 1,000,000 talents of silver, and of brass and of iron without weight, for it is in abundance…” Apparently, the weight of brass (actually, copper) and iron was great, but that of gold and silver was enormous. Note that one talent is the equivalent of 114 pounds, and so David prepared 5,090 tons of gold, which at today’s value approaches US $47,000,000,000 (almost half the total US reserves), besides 50,900 tons of silver (more than a billion ounces) worth today US $5,704,872,000 (as of March, 1995). All this, David gave for the house of the Lord. Surely, it prefigures how Christ gave His all for the Church. It was “in my poverty,” said David, when he gave such riches for the temple, and, says Paul, “our Lord Jesus Christ, though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty might be rich” (2 Cor. 8:9).
Two words are translated “poor,” one of which means “to be in need” (penichros), that is “to have only a few pence,” and the other means “to be destitute” (ptocheuo), that is, “to be literally penniless.” The latter is here used of Christ, who “became destitute” and withheld nothing so that we “might be rich.” What are these riches? The enormous quantities of gold and silver accumulated by David were but a shadow of “the unsearchable riches of Christ.” With the inexhaustible riches of Christ, the spiritual temple is now clad. Gold–“the riches of His glory”! We now share His moral glory and we shall yet partake of His physical glory. Silver–“the riches of His grace”! The grace of God by which we are saved is immeasurable. (See Eph. 1:7, 18; 2:7; 3:8, 16, for the five occurrences of “riches” in that epistle.)
Later, David said, “I have prepared with all my might for the house…, and I have set my affections to the house of my God…” (1 Chron. 29:2f). Christ set His affection on the spiritual temple for He “loved the Church” and, with all His might “gave Himself for it ” (Eph. 5:25).
David’s mighty preparation was a “work of faith,” for he never saw the temple built but he believed it would be. His enormous gifts of materials were a “labor of love,” having set his heart’s affection on the proposed house of God. A living faith works with all its might for the Lord, and an expressive love gives everything to Him.
Solomon, the builder
David died. Solomon ascended to the throne, and “the Lord…magnified him exceedingly” and gave him “wisdom and knowledge,” followed by unprecedented “riches, and wealth and honor” (2 Chron. 1:1, 12). Christ was exalted far above all. In Him “are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge,” and He is acclaimed “to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory and blessing” (Col. 2:3; Rev. 5:12).
There is not only a striking comparison in the respective characters and positions of Solomon and Christ but also in the conditions prevailing when each of them started to build. Solomon said, “Now the Lord my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent…I purpose to build an house unto the name of the Lord” (1 Ki. 5:4). When no adversary or evil confronted him and peace prevailed, Solomon began building the Temple. When Christ had “spoiled principalities and powers” and with “all things under His feet,” He began to build His spiritual Temple, the Church, of which the process of building is still in progress, and it will be finished when He comes again. (See Col. 2:15; Eph. 1:20-22.)
The Workmen
Having in mind presumably to utilize all available labor in his enormous building project, Solomon took a census of all the aliens in Israel; they numbered 153,600. He then assigned 70,000 of them to be burden-bearers, 80,000 to work in the quarries, and the remaining 3,600 to oversee and direct the work (2 Chron. 2:17f). Therefore, surprisingly both Jews and Gentiles were engaged in building the temple! It was under Solomon that we see this amazing union of Jewish and Gentile workers, and so today the risen and glorified Christ is calling out those from both Jews and Gentiles to perform His work, for under grace there is no national, social, or other barrier (Gal. 3:28). Turning to a local assembly, we are “laborers together,” working in unison, but let us remember that discord among fellow-workers will break this harmony and hinder the Lord’s work, often causing irreparable damage.
The Temple
This great edifice was located so that entry directly from outside was impossible but access was through the courts which meant passing by the Brazen Altar. This reminds us of the words of Christ that “if any man enter in, he shall be saved,” by which He meant not the step but the state of salvation (Jn. 10:9). It is important to ensure that all in assembly fellowship are saved.
Facing east, the temple comprised “the porch,” 10 cubits in depth and 20 cubits wide (1 Ki. 6:3), from which the entrant passed through a pair of doors into the great edifice itself; first, “the Holy Place,” which measured 40 cubits long and 20 cubits wide (1 Ki. 6:17) and then, passing through the veil and a pair of doors, “the Most Holy Place” or “the Oracle,” measuring 20 cubits long and 20 cubits wide (1 Ki. 6: 20, 2 Chron. 3:8). These are inside measurements, and so the temple inside, without the porch, measured 60 cubits in length and 20 cubits in width (1 Ki. 6:2; 2 Chron. 3:3), and that is approximately 120 ft. x 40 ft. inside.
We shall now examine the finishing materials that were used for making this building of exceptional magnificence.
Silver Lined Walls: According to 1 Chronicles 29:4, David accumulated “refined silver to overlay the walls of the houses.” Both inside and out, the walls of the entire building were ‘plastered’ with “silver,” which is a type of Christ’s redemptive work. As “living stones” in a “spiritual house” we were redeemed not with silver but “with the precious blood of Christ” (1 Pet. 1:18f).
The Wood Lining of the Walls: Having overlaid the white marble with silver, “he built (or, lined, RSV) the walls of the house within with boards of cedar” (1 Ki. 6:15).
Of Him who is “the Chiefest among ten thousand,” Solomon says, “His countenance is excellent…as the cedars; (Song of Sol. 5:10, 15). Here, the majestic cedar describes emblematically the excellence of Christ, who, having “a more excellent name,” has ascended into “the excellent glory,” where He has obtained and now exercises “a more excellent ministry” (Heb. 1:4; 2 Pet. 1:17; Heb. 8:6).
Of the temple walls, the inspired writer adds, “all was cedar; there was no stone seen” (1 Ki. 6:18), and so the white marble stones were concealed both inside and out with boards of cedar! It illustrates Colossians 3:3, “Your life is hid with Christ in God.” Only the excellence of the Risen Lord is seen! Our lives should be a manifestation of Christ, that is, “not I, but Christ” (Gal. 2:20)! Can it be said of us, “all is Christ; there is no ‘living stone’ seen?”
For a moment, let us think of Herod’s Temple when, as Jesus went out of this temple, one of His disciples with national pride said to Him, “Master, see what manner of stones and what buildings are here! (Mk. 13:1). This disciple drew the attention of Jesus to the massive size of the stones and the splendor of the masonry, for no cedar wood hid the stonework. It illustrates how it is possible in a spiritual temple to set aside Christ, who is here prefigured by the cedar wood lining, so that the “living stones” are seen. When this occurs, then we are living “after the flesh, minding the things of the flesh” (Rom. 8:5). This is carnality, and it robs Christ of His rightful place and glory, resulting in strife and divisions (1 Cor. 3:3). Let it not be said of a spiritual temple: “See what manner of stones…are here!” but let it be said “No stone was seen!”
The Carvings of the cedar wood: Both inside and outside, the temple walls were lined with cedar wood, which was carved with figures of “cherubim” and “palm trees” with “knops and open flowers” (1 Ki. 6:18, 29, cp. 2 Chron. 3:7).
Overlaid with gold: Neither the fir of the roof and floor nor the cedar wood of the ceiling and walls was the final cladding, for “the whole house, he overlaid with gold” (1 Ki. 6:22). Outside, the roof and walls, besides the porch and the chambers, were overlaid with gold! Inside, the ceiling, walls and doors, and even the floor were overlaid with gold! (1 Ki. 6:20-22, 30; 2 Chron. 3:4f, 7-9). Outside, the worshippers beheld the gold glistening in the sunshine. Inside, the priests walked on gold as the golden ceiling and walls reflected the light from the ten lampstands!
In a vision of a “city of pure gold,” John foresees the saints after the Rapture “having the glory of God” (Rev. 21:11, 18). At present, “the glory of God” is our hope, but at the Lord’s return it will be no longer a prospect but a possession! Then, each of us will be “a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed” (1 Pet. 5:1).
The gold would not have obliterated the carvings of the cherubim and palm trees on the cedar wood but rather emphasized their splendor, and so Christ, not humbled but glorified, will exercise His judicial authority in a coming day when we too, having been clothed with garments of His glory, will reign with Him. Until that day dawns, we all should be “reflecting as a mirror the glory of the Lord” and glorifying God in our body (2 Cor. 3:18, RV, and 1 Cor. 6:20).
Garnishing with precious stones: As a final embellishment of this great building, Solomon “garnished the house with precious stones for beauty” (2 Chron. 3:6). David prepared not only vast quantities of gold, silver, brass, iron and wood, but also “onyx stones, and stones to be set, glistening stones and of divers colors, and all manner of precious stones” (1 Chron. 29:2), and later Solomon embellished the Temple with these “precious stones.”
As Peter, in his first epistle, says, “Unto you therefore which believe, He is precious” (2:7). For Christ to be precious to us, He must increase and we must decrease.