Definition: And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the house, both the floor and the walls with boards of cedar: he even built [them] for it within, [even] for the oracle, [even] for the most holy [place].
Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from 1 Kings 6:16. It’s a pretty fascinating and symbolic passage! Here's what it means in simpler terms: The Basic Idea: This verse describes King David building a temple – a special place for worship – within a large house. He wasn’t just building a regular room; he was creating a dedicated space, almost like a shrine or altar. Let’s unpack the details: “And he built twenty cubits on the sides of the house…” : "Cubits" were units of measurement back then – roughly about 16 feet long and 8 feet wide. So, David built a wall that was 20 cubits wide and 8 cubits deep on each side of the house. This is a significant size! “…both the floor and the walls with boards of cedar…” : He used cedar wood – a very expensive and strong type of wood – to build the walls. This suggests a high level of craftsmanship and importance. “He even built them for it within, [even] for the oracle, [even] for the most holy place.” This is where it gets really interesting. David wasn’t just building a temple for himself . He was creating this space specifically to be used as an altar or a place of worship. He wanted to dedicate it to God and make a special offering. It's also described as "the most holy place," meaning it would be reserved for the most important religious activities. So, what’s the big takeaway? 1 Kings 6:16 shows that David was incredibly focused on establishing a sacred space dedicated to God – a temple where he could worship and offer sacrifices. It highlights his dedication to religious practice and his desire to make a significant presence of God in his kingdom. In short, it’s about creating a special, holy place for worship. --- Do you want me to: Explain another Bible verse? Discuss the historical context of this passage? Explore why this story is important in biblical history?