And the oracle Or, rather, the most holy place. He prepared That is, he adorned and fitted it for the reception of the ark. Solomon made every thing new but the ark: that, with its mercy-seat, was still the same that Moses made. This was the token of God's presence, which is with his people, whether they meet in tent or temple, and changes not with their condition. And the oracle in the forepart That is, in the innermost part, before mentioned, which is called the forepart, because it was before him that entered into the house. And he overlaid it with pure gold Not merely gilded it, but covered it with plates of gold. For the gold amounted to six hundred talents, as is said 2 Chronicles 3:8. And so covered the altar That is, the altar of incense, with gold, chap. 1 Kings 7:48; 1 Chronicles 28:18.
Related Commentaries of 1 Kings 6:19
1 Kings 6:19-20
19 And the oracle he prepared in the house within, to set there the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
20 And the oracle in the forepart was twenty cubits in length, and twenty cubits in breadth, and twenty cubits in the height thereof: and he overlaid it with pured gold; and so covered the altar which was of cedar.