- 63-
CHAPTER 8 : The surroundings of the temple — description of
Jerusalem at the time of solomon — the palace of solomon — Solomon’s
fortified cities — external relations of the kingdom — internal state —
trade — wealth — luxury — the visit of the queen of Sheba. 1 KINGS 9,
10.; 2 CHRONICLES 7:11-9:28
WE have now reached the period of Solomon's greatest worldly splendor, which, as
alas! so often, marks also that of spiritual decay. The building of the Temple was not
the first, nor yet the last, of his architectural undertakings. Mount Moriah was too small
to hold on its summit the Temple itself, even without its courts and other buildings.
Accordingly, as we learn from Josephus (Ant. 15. 11, 3), extensive substructures had to
be reared. Thus, the level of the Temple-mount was enlarged both east and west, in
order to obtain a sufficient area for the extensive buildings upon it. These rose terrace
upon terrace -each court higher than the other, and the Sanctuary itself higher than its
courts. We are probably correct in the supposition that the modern Mosque of Omar
occupies the very site of the ancient Temple of Solomon, and that over the celebrated
rock in it - according to Jewish tradition, the very spot where Abraham offered up Isaac
- the great altar of burnt-offering had risen. Before the building of the Sanctuary itself
could have been commenced, the massive substructures of the Temple must have been
at least partially completed, although these and the outbuildings were probably
continued during many years, perhaps many reigns, after the completion of the
Temple.
The same remarks apply to another structure connected with the Temple, called
"Parbar" (1 Chronicles 26:18). As already explained, the outer court of the Temple had
four massive gates (1 Chronicles 26:13-16), of which the western-most opened upon
"Parbar" or "Parvarim" (perhaps "colonnade"). This seems to have been an annex to the
western side of the Temple, fitted up as chambers, stables for sacrificial animals, etc. (2
Kings 23:11, where our Authorized Version wrongly renders "Parvarim" by
"suburbs"). From Parbar steps led down to the Tyropoeon, or deep valley which
intersected the city east and west.
Although anything like an attempt at detailed description would here be out of place, it
seems desirable, in order to realize the whole circumstances, to give at least a brief
sketch of Jerusalem, as Solomon found, and as he left it. Speaking generally, Jerusalem
was built on the two opposite hills (east and west), between which the Tyropoeon runs
south-east and then south. The eastern hill is about 100 feet lower than the western. Its
northern summit is Mount Moriah, which slopes down into Ophel (about 50 feet
lower), afterwards the suburb of the priests. Some modem writers have regarded this as
the ancient fort of the Jebusites, and as the site of the "City of David," the original
Mount Zion. Although this is opposed to the common traditional view, which regards
(^)