Useful Bible Studies > 1 Kings Commentary > chapter 6
Solomon’s workmen used various designs in order to make the temple, God’s house even more beautiful. They included designs in the shape of chains (2 Chronicles 3:5) and the large round fruit called gourds (6:18). However, there was one set of designs that Solomon told them to use more than any other. It showed the angels called cherubim, and palm trees, and open flowers.
Ezekiel 41:17-20 describes that design, not in Solomon’s temple but in a vision (dream) that God showed to Ezekiel. He saw that the palm trees and the cherubim were in a row. There was one palm tree, then one of the cherubim, then another palm tree, and so on. The cherubim were carefully watching the palm trees, probably to guard them.
The cherubim are special angels, servants of God and the guards of all that belongs to him. Psalm 92 says that truly good people, in other words God’s people, are like palm trees. It adds that their proper place is in God’s house. There, they (God’s people) develop and they become strong (Psalm 92:12-14). The previous Psalm, Psalm 91, explains how this happens. Psalm 91 says that God sends his angels to guard them from the devil and his wicked plans.
We can think of few things as beautiful as an open flower, the other part of this design. It seems so sad that their beauty lasts for such a short time - and human life, in this world, is like that too (Psalm 103:15-16). However the true goodness of God’s people is beautiful and it will last always (Psalm 103:17-18). Their lives are like Aaron’s rod (stick), which God caused to produce flowers and leaves and fruit all together (Numbers 17:8). In other words, the best and most beautiful things can come constantly from the lives of God’s loyal people. God brings this about by his work in their lives (see Galatians 5:22-23).
Next part: The inner court (1 Kings 6:36)
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