9 All these were of costly stones , of stone cut according to measure , sawed with saws , inside e and outside e ; even from the foundation to the coping , and so on the outside to the great court . 10 The foundation was of costly stones , even large stones , stones of ten cubits and stones of eight cubits . 11 And above e were costly stones , stone cut according to measure , and cedar . 12 So the great court all around had three rows of cut stone and a row of cedar beams even as the inner court of the house of the Lord , and the porch of the house .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 7:9-12
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.