Solomon made his colonnade fifty cubits long and thirty cubits wideThe colonnade, or porch, was a significant architectural feature in ancient Near Eastern palaces and temples, often used for public gatherings or as a place of judgment. The dimensions given, fifty cubits long and thirty cubits wide, reflect the grandeur and scale typical of Solomon's building projects, emphasizing the wealth and resources available during his reign. A cubit is generally considered to be about 18 inches, making this structure approximately 75 feet long and 45 feet wide. This size indicates a substantial and impressive construction, suitable for a king known for his wisdom and prosperity. The use of precise measurements also reflects the biblical emphasis on order and design, reminiscent of the detailed instructions given for the construction of the Tabernacle and later the Temple.
with a portico in front of it
The portico, or porch, served as an entrance or transitional space leading into the main structure. In ancient architecture, porticos were often used to provide shelter and a welcoming area for visitors. This feature would have added to the aesthetic appeal and functionality of the colonnade, offering a shaded area for gatherings or official functions. The presence of a portico also suggests a connection to other significant biblical structures, such as the Temple, which also featured a prominent porch. This architectural element highlights the importance of hospitality and accessibility in Solomon's court.
and a canopy with pillars in front of the portico
The canopy, supported by pillars, would have provided additional shelter and decoration, enhancing the visual impact of the colonnade. Pillars are a common motif in biblical architecture, symbolizing strength and stability. They are often associated with significant structures, such as the two pillars, Jachin and Boaz, that stood at the entrance of Solomon's Temple. The use of a canopy and pillars in this context underscores the majesty and authority of Solomon's reign, as well as the influence of surrounding cultures, which often employed similar architectural features. This design choice reflects the blending of artistic and cultural elements in Solomon's building projects, demonstrating his ability to incorporate diverse influences while maintaining a distinct identity for Israel.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
SolomonThe king of Israel who commissioned the construction of the temple and his royal palace, including the Hall of Pillars.
2.
Hall of PillarsA significant architectural feature in Solomon's palace, noted for its grandeur and the use of pillars.
3.
JerusalemThe city where Solomon's palace and the temple were constructed, serving as the political and spiritual center of Israel.
4.
PillarsArchitectural elements that symbolize strength and stability, often used in ancient structures for both functional and decorative purposes.
5.
PorticoA covered entrance or porch, adding to the grandeur and functionality of the Hall of Pillars.
Teaching Points
Symbolism of PillarsPillars in biblical architecture often symbolize strength, stability, and support. In our spiritual lives, we are called to be pillars of faith, upholding truth and righteousness.
God's Order and BeautyThe detailed description of Solomon's constructions reflects God's appreciation for order and beauty. As believers, we should strive to reflect God's order in our lives, valuing beauty and excellence in our work and worship.
Legacy of FaithSolomon's building projects were not just for his time but left a legacy for future generations. We are encouraged to consider the spiritual legacy we are building for those who come after us.
Stewardship of ResourcesSolomon used vast resources to build the temple and his palace. This reminds us of the importance of wise stewardship of the resources God has entrusted to us, using them for His glory.
Spiritual FoundationsJust as the Hall of Pillars was foundational to Solomon's palace, our spiritual lives require strong foundations built on God's Word and prayer.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Kings 7:6?
2.How does 1 Kings 7:6 reflect Solomon's wisdom in architectural design?
3.What can we learn about God's order from Solomon's construction in 1 Kings 7:6?
4.How does Solomon's building project connect to God's temple instructions in Exodus?
5.How can we apply Solomon's attention to detail in our spiritual lives today?
6.What does Solomon's use of "pillars" symbolize in our Christian walk?
7.What is the significance of the Hall of Pillars in 1 Kings 7:6?
8.How does 1 Kings 7:6 reflect Solomon's priorities in his building projects?
9.What does the architectural style in 1 Kings 7:6 reveal about ancient Israelite culture?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 7?
11.Why do biblical descriptions of Solomon's temple differ from contemporary architectural styles?
12.2 Kings 20:7: Why was a simple poultice of figs sufficient to cure a fatal illness if it was truly life-threatening?
13.2 Kings 7:1 -- How can a city under severe famine suddenly have an abundance of food within 24 hours?
14.What is the publication date of Ezra?What Does 1 Kings 7:6 Mean
Solomon made his colonnade• Solomon’s hand in this project shows his commitment to honor God not only with the temple (1 Kings 6) but also with the surrounding royal complex. By directing the construction himself, he fulfills the wisdom God gave him (1 Kings 4:29-34) and follows through on the earlier promise to build structures that “bear My Name” (1 Kings 9:3).
• A colonnade—literally a hall of pillars—provided a dignified venue for counsel, justice, and royal audiences. Like the “Forest of Lebanon” hall next door (1 Kings 7:2-5), it displayed stability and order, mirroring God’s own attributes (Psalm 93:1).
Fifty cubits long and thirty cubits wide• At roughly 75 × 45 feet (23 × 14 m), the colonnade was spacious yet intentionally smaller than the temple (1 Kings 6:2). This sizing kept the palace complex subordinate to the house of the Lord, reinforcing that the king’s authority operates under divine authority.
• The precise measurements echo the care God required in the tabernacle (Exodus 25:9) and later in Ezekiel’s visionary temple (Ezekiel 40:5). God values precision because every detail proclaims His order and glory (1 Corinthians 14:33).
With a portico in front of it• The portico (an open porch) formed a gracious threshold. Just as the temple had its own portico (1 Kings 6:3), this one invited people from the courtyard into the king’s presence.
• Such an entrance pictures the welcome God extends to His people: “Blessed are those You choose and bring near to dwell in Your courts” (Psalm 65:4). It emphasizes accessibility—yet always through a proper, God-given way (John 14:6).
And a canopy with pillars in front of the portico• The canopy (or overhanging roof) sheltered visitors from the harsh sun, symbolizing the Lord’s protective covering: “He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty” (Psalm 91:1).
• Additional pillars reinforced both the roof and the visual theme begun by Jachin and Boaz at the temple entrance (1 Kings 7:15-22). Pillars speak of strength and permanence (Revelation 3:12), reminding onlookers that God establishes kingdoms and sustains them when they rest on His statutes.
summary1 Kings 7:6 records a literal architectural feature of Solomon’s palace complex, crafted with God-given wisdom. Each component—the colonnade, its measured size, the welcoming portico, and the sheltering, pillar-supported canopy—proclaims order, accessibility, protection, and strength under the Lord’s reign. The verse invites us to see that when human authority and workmanship stand beneath God’s precise design, they reflect His glory and extend His gracious welcome to all who come under His shelter.
(6)
A porch of pillars, although by some authorities it is held to be a separate building, seems by the exact agreement of dimensions--its "length" being just the breadth of the hall--to have been a propylaeon, or entrance vestibule, to the hall of state (like the porch, or vestibule, of the Temple), probably corresponding in the general arrangement of its pillars, and perhaps also in height. It had also a porch of its own, with a threshold (for the last clause of the verse should be rendered, "and a porch before it with pillars, and a threshold before them,") forming a kind of plinth, or, possibly, a flight of steps.
Verse 6. -
And he made a porch of pillars [Heb.
the porch of pillars. This was no doubt a covered colonnade,
i.e., it had a roof but no sides. The pillars were its only walls. But here the question presents itself, Was this porch the vestibule of the house of the forest of Lebanon, just described? From the correspondence between its width and that of this palace, Rawlinson infers that it was (cf.
1 Kings 6:2, 3). Bahr believes it to have been the porch or entrance to the hall of judgment mentioned in the next verse, while Fergusson again assigns it an independent position, separate from either. The
term porch (
אוּלָם), the meaning of which is surely determined by its use in ch. 6, almost implies that it must have served as the entrance or vestibule to some building. But the size, and the fact that it had itself a porch (see below), favour the idea that it was an independent structure, though Rawlinson shows that "most of the Persepolitan porches had small pillared chambers at some little distance in front of them," and refers to the Egyptian
propylaea. Keil argues that this
pillar hall, as he calls it, stood between the house of the forest of Lebanon and the judgment hall. Bahr, as remarked above, sees in it the anterior part of the judgment hall, which latter, he adds, bore to it the same relation that the oracle did to the temple house. He observes that as the ark was in the oracle, so the throne (
1 Kings 10:18) found a place in the hall of judgment. This structure, therefore, with its porch, mentioned presently, would reproduce the main features of the temple arrangement. We see, consequently, that both the house of the forest of Lebanon and the porch of pillars followed in their outline the ground plan of the temple. Nor is this at all surprising, considering that all these edifices probably had the same architect or designer];
the length thereof was fifty cubits [the length,
i.e., according to the view last advanced of the two divisions of the building, viz., the porch of pillars and the porch of judgment. But the correspondence of the length (or width - the same word is used of the width of the
temple porch
1 Kings 6:3) of this porch with the width of the house of the forest of Lebanon is, to say the least, remarkable, and suggests that after all it may have been the porch of that building. If so, the resemblance to the temple would be still more striking],
and the breadth [depth?]
thereof thirty cubits: andthe porch [Heb. a porch]
was before them [
i.e., the pillars. The words can only mean that a smaller porch stood before the porch of pillars, or colonnade]:
andthe other [omit]
pillars [
i.e., the pillars of the minor vestibule or fore porch]
and the thick beam [Heb.
threshold]
were before them. [The broad threshold, approached by steps, and the pillars which it supported, together with the roof which covered them, formed the front part and approach to the larger porch or colonnade.]
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
[Solomon] madeעָשָׂ֔ה(‘ā·śāh)Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 6213:To do, makehis colonnadeאוּלָ֤ם(’ū·lām)Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 197:A vestibulefiftyחֲמִשִּׁ֤ים(ḥă·miš·šîm)Number - common plural
Strong's 2572:Fiftycubitsאַמָּה֙(’am·māh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 520:A mother, a cubit, a door-baselongאָרְכּ֔וֹ(’ā·rə·kōw)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 753:Lengthand thirtyוּשְׁלֹשִׁ֥ים(ū·šə·lō·šîm)Conjunctive waw | Number - common plural
Strong's 7970:Thirty, thirtiethcubitsאַמָּ֖ה(’am·māh)Noun - feminine singular
Strong's 520:A mother, a cubit, a door-basewide,רָחְבּ֑וֹ(rā·ḥə·bōw)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 7341:Breadth, widthwith a porticoוְאוּלָם֙(wə·’ū·lām)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 197:A vestibulein front of itעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, againstand a canopyוְעָ֖ב(wə·‘āḇ)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 5646:Perhaps a landingwith pillarsוְעַמֻּדִ֥ים(wə·‘am·mu·ḏîm)Conjunctive waw | Noun - masculine plural
Strong's 5982:A column, a stand, platformin front ofעַל־(‘al-)Preposition
Strong's 5921:Above, over, upon, against[the portico].פְּנֵיהֶֽם׃(pə·nê·hem)Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine plural
Strong's 6440:The face
Links
1 Kings 7:6 NIV1 Kings 7:6 NLT1 Kings 7:6 ESV1 Kings 7:6 NASB1 Kings 7:6 KJV
1 Kings 7:6 BibleApps.com1 Kings 7:6 Biblia Paralela1 Kings 7:6 Chinese Bible1 Kings 7:6 French Bible1 Kings 7:6 Catholic Bible
OT History: 1 Kings 7:6 He made the porch of pillars (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) 
