71 And his own house hath Solomon built thirteen years, and he finisheth all his house. 2 And he buildeth the house of the forest of Lebanon; a hundred cubits 'is' its length, and fifty cubits its breadth, and thirty cubits its height, on four rows of cedar pillars, and cedar-beams on the pillars; 3 and 'it is' covered with cedar above, on the sides that 'are' on the forty and five pillars, fifteen in the row. 4 And windows 'are' in three rows, and sight 'is' over-against sight three times. 5 And all the openings and the side-posts 'are' square—windows; and sight 'is' over-against sight three times. 6 And the porch of the pillars he hath made; fifty cubits its length, and thirty cubits its breadth, and the porch 'is' before them, and pillars and a thick place 'are' before them. 7 And the porch of the throne where he judgeth—the porch of judgment—he hath made, and 'it is' covered with cedar from the floor unto the floor. 8 As to his house where he dwelleth, the other court 'is' within the porch—as this work it hath been; and a house he maketh for the daughter of Pharaoh—whom Solomon hath taken—like this porch.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 7:1-8
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.