The Temple was also surrounded by three sto ries of chambers, each of which stories was five cubits high, so that there remained above ample space for introducing the windows, which served chiefly for ventilation. as the light within the Temple was obtained from the sacred candlesticks. The windows which are mentioned in r Kings vi : 4, consisted probably of lattice work. It seems from the descriptions of the Ternpleto be certain that the oracle, or 'holy of holies,' was an adytuni without windows. To this fact Solomon seems to refer when he spake. 'The Lord said that he would dwell in the thick darkness' (1 Kings viii :12).
(5) Material and Ornamentation. From Kings vii:to. we learn that the private dwellings of Solomon were built of massive stone. We hence infer that the framework of the Temple also consisted of the same material. The Temple was, however, wainscoted with cedar wood, which was covered with gold. The boards within the Temple were ornamented by beautiful carvings represent ing cherubim, palms, and flowers. The ceiling of the Temple was supported by beams of cedar wood (comp. ERES; Pliny, Hist. Nat. xvi. 69). The wall which separated the holy from the 'holy of holies,' probably consisted not of stone, but of beams of cedar. It seems, further, that the parti tions partly consisted of an opus so that the incense could spread from the holy to the most holy.
The floor of the Temple was throughout of cedar, but boarded over with planks of fir (1 Kings vi :15). The doors of the oracle were composed of olive tree; but the doors of the outer temple had posts of olive tree, and leaves of fir (r Kings vi :3i, sq.). Both doors, as well that which led into the Temple as that which led from the 'holy' to the 'holy of holies,' had fold ing leaves, which, however, seem to have been (6) The Courts. The Temple was surrounded by an inner court, which in Chronicles is called the Court of the Priests, and in Jeremiah the Upper Court. This again was surrounded by a wall consisting of cedar beams placed on a stone foundation (1 Kings vi :3b). Besides this inner court, there is mentioned a Great Court (2 Chron. iv:9). This court was also more especially called the court of the Lord's house (Jer. xix:14; xxvi: 2). These courts were surrounded by spacious buildings, which, however, according to Josephus De Bell. Jud. v. 5. r), seem to have been partly added at a period later than that of Solomon. From these descriptions we learn that the Temple of Solomon was not distinguished by magnitude, but by good architectural proportions, beauty of workmanship, and costliness of materials. Many
English churches have an external form not un like that of the Temple of Solomon.
(7) Treasury. There was a treasury in the Temple, in which much precious metal was col lected for the maintenance of public worship. The gold and silver of the Temple was, however, fre quently applied to political purposes (1 Kings xv: r8, sq.; z Kings xii :18; xvi :8; xviii:15). The treasury of the Temple was repeatedly plundered by foreign invaders. For :nstance. by Shishak (1 Kings xiv :26) ; by Jelloash, king of Israel (2 Kings xiv :14) ; by Nebuchadnezzar (2 Kings xxiv:r3) ; and lastly, again by Nebuchadnezzar, who, having removed the valuable contents caused the Temple to be burned down (2 Kings xxv :9, sq.), (B. C. 588). The building had stood since its completion four hundred and seventeen or four hundred and eighteen years. (Josephus has four hundred and seventy,and Ruffinus three hun dred and seventy years). Thus terminated what the later Jews called the first house.
usually kept open, the aperture being closed by , a suspended curtain.
Within the 'holy of holies,' stood only the ark of the covenant ; but within the 'holy' were ten holden candlesticks, and the altar of incense (comp. the separate articles).
2. She Second Temple. In the year B. C. 536 the 'Jews obtained permission from Cyrus to colonize their native land. Cyrus commanded also that the sacred utensils which had Leen pillaged from the first Temple should he restored, and that for the restoration of the Temple assist ance should be granted (Ezra i. and vi.; 2 Chron. xxxvi:22, sq.). The first colony which returned under Zerubbabel and Joshua having collected the necessary means, and having also obtained the assistance of Phcenician workmen, commenced in the second year after their return (B. C. 534) the rebuilding of the Temple. The Sidonians brought rafts of cedar trees from Lebanon to Joppa. The Jews refused the co-operation of the Samaritans, who being thereby offended, induced the king Artasashta (probably Smerdis) to pro hibit the building. And it was only in the second year of Darius Hystaspis (B. C. 52o) that the building was resumed. It was completed in the sixth year of this king (B. C. 516). (comp. Ezra v. and vi.; and Haggai According to Jo sephus (Antic). xi. 4. 7) the Temple was com pleted in the ninth year of the reign of Darius.