2 One of Solomon's buildings was called the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon. It was 150Â feet long, 75Â feet wide, and 45Â feet high. There were four rows of cedar pillars, and great cedar beams rested on the pillars. 3 The hall had a cedar roof. Above the beams on the pillars were forty-five side rooms, arranged in three tiers of fifteen each. 4 On each end of the long hall were three rows of windows facing each other. 5 All the doorways and doorposts had rectangular frames and were arranged in sets of three, facing each other. 6 Solomon also built the Hall of Pillars, which was 75Â feet long and 45Â feet wide. There was a porch in front, along with a canopy supported by pillars. 7 Solomon also built the throne room, known as the Hall of Justice, where he sat to hear legal matters. It was paneled with cedar from floor to ceiling.
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.