1 Kings 7:3 kjv
And it was covered with cedar above upon the beams, that lay on forty five pillars, fifteen in a row.
1 Kings 7:3 nkjv
And it was paneled with cedar above the beams that were on forty-five pillars, fifteen to a row.
1 Kings 7:3 niv
It was roofed with cedar above the beams that rested on the columns?forty-five beams, fifteen to a row.
1 Kings 7:3 esv
And it was covered with cedar above the chambers that were on the forty-five pillars, fifteen in each row.
1 Kings 7:3 nlt
The hall had a cedar roof. Above the beams on the pillars were forty-five side rooms, arranged in three tiers of fifteen each.
1 Kings 7 3 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ki 3:9 | "Give your servant therefore an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern... " | Solomon's prayer for wisdom to judge. |
| 1 Ki 3:16-28 | "Then two prostitutes came to the king... King Solomon answered... So the king said..." | Example of Solomon's judgment. |
| 1 Ki 4:29-30 | "And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure... for he was wiser than all other men." | Divine source of Solomon's capacity to judge. |
| 2 Sam 8:15 | "So David reigned over all Israel. And David administered justice and equity to all his people." | Precedent for king's role in justice. |
| Ps 72:1-4 | "Give the king your justice, O God, and your righteousness to the royal son! May he judge your..." | Prayer for the king's righteous judgment. |
| Ps 9:7-8 | "But the LORD sits enthroned forever; he has established his throne for judgment, and he judges..." | God as the ultimate Judge. |
| Prov 8:15 | "By me kings reign, and rulers decree what is just." | Wisdom's role in just rule. |
| Isa 9:6-7 | "Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and..." | Prophecy of Christ's righteous rule/judgment. |
| Jer 23:5 | "Behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch..." | Messiah's just and righteous reign. |
| Amos 5:24 | "But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." | Emphasis on divine justice. |
| Mic 6:8 | "He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the LORD require of you but to do justice..." | God's requirement for His people's actions. |
| Deut 16:18 | "You shall appoint judges and officers in all your towns... and they shall judge the people with..." | Requirement for righteous judges. |
| Ezra 7:25 | "...appoint magistrates and judges who may judge all the people in the province Beyond the River..." | Continued importance of legal judgment. |
| Zec 8:16 | "These are the things that you shall do: Speak the truth to one another; render in your gates..." | Justice in daily community life. |
| Rev 20:11-12 | "Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it... And the dead were judged..." | God's final judgment. |
| 1 Ki 6:9 | "He finished the house and covered the house with rafters of cedar and planks of cedar." | Temple also roofed/paneled with cedar. |
| Song 1:17 | "The beams of our house are cedar, our rafters are fir." | Cedar associated with majesty/security. |
| 2 Sam 7:7 | "Wherever I have moved with all the people of Israel, did I speak a word to any of the tribes of..." | Contrast God's preference for simple dwelling. |
| Ps 104:16 | "The trees of the LORD are watered abundantly, the cedars of Lebanon that he planted." | God's creation, including cedars. |
| Eze 31:3-6 | "Behold, Assyria was a cedar in Lebanon, with beautiful branches and forest shade..." | Cedar as symbol of power, sometimes of pride. |
| Exod 25:8 | "And let them make me a sanctuary, that I may dwell in their midst." | God's dwelling as central place for His presence. |
| Neh 13:7 | "And I came to Jerusalem, and I ascertained the evil that Eliashib had done for Tobiah, preparing..." | Rooms related to public/temple use. |
| Matt 27:19 | "Besides, while he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent word to him, 'Have nothing to do..." | Judgment seat (throne) of rulers. |
| John 18:28 | "Then they led Jesus from the house of Caiaphas to the governor’s headquarters. It was early..." | Jesus brought before a judgment seat. |
| Heb 4:12-13 | "For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword... discerning the..." | God's comprehensive judgment. |
1 Kings 7 verses
1 Kings 7 3 Meaning
This verse describes Solomon's construction of a significant part of his palace complex, specifically "the Porch of the Throne" (also known as the Porch of Judgment). Its explicit purpose was for him to pronounce judgment, highlighting the king's primary role as dispenser of justice. The interior of this hall was lavishly adorned, being entirely paneled with cedar wood from floor to ceiling, signifying its importance, the king's grandeur, and the weighty nature of the decisions made within its walls.
1 Kings 7 3 Context
This verse is situated within a detailed account of King Solomon's construction projects, specifically after the completion of the Temple of the LORD and his own personal dwelling (1 Kings 7:1-2). While the Temple took seven years to build, Solomon's palace complex, including the "Porch of the Throne," took thirteen years. The passage delineates various parts of his royal residence, showcasing its grandeur, scale, and function. The Porch of the Throne, distinct from the House of the Forest of Lebanon (1 Ki 7:2) and the Porch of Pillars (1 Ki 7:6), was specifically designed as a space for the king to fulfill his essential judicial duties. This context highlights Solomon's wealth, the high regard for justice in his reign, and the significant resources dedicated to establishing his royal authority. In the ancient Near East, kings were expected to be supreme arbiters of justice, and a designated, opulent space for this purpose underscored the king's power and responsibility.
1 Kings 7 3 Word analysis
- He: Refers to King Solomon, established in the preceding verses (1 Ki 7:1-2), emphasizing his personal responsibility for this monumental construction.
- also built: Signifies this structure as another significant addition to Solomon's expansive building projects, following his own house and the Temple. It underscores a period of immense prosperity and architectural activity under his reign.
- the Porch of the Throne: (Hebrew: 'ulam hakisse') - 'Ulam means a portico, hall, or porch, typically the vestibule of a public building. Kisse' means a seat or throne, specifically denoting royal authority or judicial power. This term immediately defines the building's central function, not merely as a lavish hall, but as a dedicated seat of authority for rule and adjudication. It is frequently identified by scholars as the "Porch of Judgment" due to its stated purpose.
- where he was to pronounce judgment: (Hebrew: sha'ar mishpat) - Sha'ar (here in verbal form lishpot) means "to judge" or "to govern," directly stating the purpose for which this porch was constructed. This was the public court where Solomon would hear cases, mediate disputes, and render his authoritative decisions, demonstrating the practical exercise of his divinely given wisdom (1 Ki 3:9-28). The king's primary duty, as often emphasized in biblical kingship, included the administration of justice for his people.
- and it was paneled: (Hebrew: saphan) - This verb means to cover, overlay, or wainscot. It describes the complete interior finishing of the structure, emphasizing its sophisticated and complete appearance rather than merely being walled.
- with cedar: (Hebrew: 'erez) - Cedar, specifically from Lebanon, was a highly prized and expensive wood in the ancient world. It was known for its durability, aroma, and grand appearance. Its use throughout Solomon's palace and the Temple (1 Ki 6:9-10) signifies immense wealth, prestige, and permanence. In biblical symbolism, cedar often represents majesty, strength, and resilience, suitable for a place of lasting royal authority and weighty judgment.
- from floor to ceiling: This phrase emphasizes the complete and comprehensive nature of the cedar paneling, covering the entire interior surface. It denotes luxury and thoroughness, signifying that no expense was spared in making this space impressive and fitting for the king's solemn judicial functions. The entire ambiance would have conveyed grandeur and the gravity of the royal decisions made there.
Words-group analysis:
- "the Porch of the Throne, where he was to pronounce judgment": This phrase directly links the physical structure to its divinely mandated function. It highlights that this wasn't just a place of opulence but a functional center of governance and law. It underlines the expectation for kings to exercise justice, echoing God's own attribute as a righteous judge (Ps 9:7-8).
- "paneled with cedar from floor to ceiling": This vivid description emphasizes the luxurious and majestic nature of the hall. The costly and extensive use of cedar symbolizes not only Solomon's immense wealth but also the enduring and weighty significance of justice and royal authority. It communicates permanence and high status, reinforcing the solemnity of the judicial processes that took place there.
1 Kings 7 3 Bonus section
The specific dimensions for the "Porch of the Throne" (or Porch of Judgment) are noted in 1 Kings 7:7 as 50 cubits long and 30 cubits wide. This made it a substantial hall, designed to accommodate those involved in the judicial proceedings. Its position within the broader palace complex (separate from the domestic quarters) indicates its public-facing nature and role in governance. The emphasis on cedar and grand construction in royal buildings and the Temple complex underscores a distinct ancient Near Eastern cultural value of permanence and splendor in architectural achievements, often perceived as a reflection of a ruler's or deity's greatness. Solomon's focus on building a prominent judicial space was crucial for his public image as a wise and just king, fulfilling the ideal of kingship under God's covenant. This building served as a visible representation of the biblical call for righteousness and equity from those in authority, reflecting God's own perfect justice.
1 Kings 7 3 Commentary
1 Kings 7:3 provides insight into the architectural and functional aspects of King Solomon's reign, specifically the dedication of resources to justice. The "Porch of the Throne," explicitly a place of judgment, underscored the king's central responsibility as God's representative to administer justice. Its lavish cedar paneling from "floor to ceiling" not only reflected Solomon's unprecedented wealth and glory (1 Ki 10:23) but also imbued the space with a sense of dignity, solemnity, and permanence, befitting the weighty matters of life and law debated within. This structure served as a visible manifestation of divine order and the pursuit of righteousness within the kingdom. While many kings used opulence to showcase power, Solomon's judicial hall focused his splendor on a primary God-given mandate: to judge the people righteously (1 Ki 3:9).