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eighteen cubits high (1 Kings 6:10), and allow a height of two cubits for the roof of the
Temple, whose walls were thirty cubits high (the total height, including roof, thirty-two
cubits), this would leave an elevation of twelve to fourteen cubits (eighteen to twenty-
one feet) for the wall of the Temple above the roof of "the chambers." Within this
space of twelve to fourteen cubits we suppose the "windows" to have been inserted -
south and north, the back of the Most Holy Place (west) having no windows, and the
front (east) being covered by the "porch." The use of the "chambers" is not mentioned
in the sacred text, but it seems more probable that they served for the deposit of relics
of the ancient Tabernacle, and for the storage of sacred vessels, than that they were the
sleeping apartments of the ministering priesthood. Access to these "chambers" was
gained by a door in the middle of the southern facade, whence also a winding stair led
to the upper tiers (1 Kings 6:8). The windows of the Temple itself, which we have
supposed to have been above the roof of the "chambers," were with "fixed lattices"^106
(1 Kings 6:4), which could not be opened, as in private dwellings, and were probably
constructed, like the windows of old castles and churches, broad within, but mere slits
externally.
While these protracted works were progressing, the LORD in His mercy gave special
encouragement alike to Solomon and to the people. The word of the LORD, which on
this occasion came to the king (1 Kings 6:11-13) - no doubt through a prophet, not
only fully confirmed the promise made to David (2 Samuel 7:12, etc.), but also
connected the "house" that was being built to the LORD with the ancient promise
(Exodus 25:8; 29:45) that God would dwell in Israel as among His people. Thus it
pointed king and people beyond that outward building which, rising in such
magnificence, might have excited only national pride, to its spiritual meaning, and to
the conditions under which alone it would fulfill its great purpose.^107
Thus far we have given a description of the exterior of the Temple.^108 It still remains to
convey some idea of its internal arrangements. If we may judge by the description of
Ezekiel's Temple (Ezekiel 40:49), and by what we know of the Temple of Herod, some
steps would lead up to the porch, which, as we imagine, presented the appearance of an
open colonnade of cedar, set in a pavement of hewn stones, and supporting a cedar-
roof covered with marble.
The most prominent objects here were the two great pillars, Jachin and Boaz, which
Hiram cast by order of Solomon (1 Kings 7:15-22). These pillars stood, as we are
expressly told, within "the porch" (1 Kings 7:21), and must have served alike
architectural, artistic, and symbolical purposes. Added after the completion of the
"House," perhaps for the better support of the roof of the "porch," their singular beauty
must have attracted the eye, while their symbolical meaning appeared in their names.
Jachin ("He supports"), Boaz ("in Him is strength"), pointed beyond the outward
support and strength which these pillars gave, to Him on Whom not only the Sanctuary
(^)