2 He built the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon a hundred and fifty feet long, seventy-five feet wide, and forty-five feet high. 3 There were four rows of cedar columns supporting forty-five cedar beams, fifteen in each row, and then roofed with cedar. 4 Windows in groupings of three were set high in the walls on either side. 5 All the doors were rectangular and arranged symmetrically. 6 He built a colonnaded courtyard seventy-five feet long and forty-five wide. It had a roofed porch at the front with ample eaves. 7 He built a court room, the Hall of Justice, where he would decide judicial matters, and paneled it with cedar.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 7:2-7
Commentary on 1 Kings 7:1-12
(Read 1 Kings 7:1-12)
All Solomon's buildings, though beautiful, were intended for use. Solomon began with the temple; he built for God first, and then his other buildings. The surest foundations of lasting prosperity are laid in early piety. He was thirteen years building his house, yet he built the temple in little more than seven years; not that he was more exact, but less eager in building his own house, than in building God's. We ought to prefer God's honour before our own ease and satisfaction.