And for the altar of incense refined gold by weight; and gold for the pattern of the chariot of the cherubims, that spread out their wings, and covered the ark of the covenant of the LORD.
The chariot of the cherubim. The expanded wings of the cherubim formed what was figuratively called the throne of God; and so they were emblematical of rapid motion, the throne or seat was spoken of as a chariot (Psalms 18:10; Psalms 99:1). It is quite clear that in all these directions David was not guided by his own taste, but solely by a regard to the express revelation of the divine will. In a vision, or trance, the whole edifice, with its appurtenances, had been placed before his eyes so vividly and permanently that he had been able to take a sketch of them in the models delivered to Solomon.