He built the walls of the house within with boards of cedar; from the floor of the house to the walls of the ceiling, he covered them on the inside with wood. He covered the floor of the house with cypress boards.
ExplanationCommentary
Verse 15. Fir. Or perhaps of another species of cedar, resembling the juniper-tree. It is found in Phœnecian and in Lycia. See Calmet. 5:8. It is doubted whether the sanctuary was also boarded, as we read that it was paved with marble. Hebrew “with precious and costly stones,” 2 Chronicles 3:6. But boards might be laid upon them, as they were on other parts of the temple. The magnificence of Solomon appears in his using such costly things, even where they would not be exposed to view. The floor was again covered with plates of gold, verse 30.