1 Kings 6:27
And he placed the cherubim inside the innermost room of the temple. Since their wings were spread out, the wing of the first cherub touched one wall, while the wing of the second cherub touched the other wall, and in the middle of the room their wingtips touched.
And he placed the cherubim inside the innermost room of the temple.
The innermost room of the temple, also known as the Holy of Holies, was the most sacred part of Solomon's Temple, where the presence of God was believed to dwell. The placement of the cherubim here signifies their role as guardians of divine holiness, reminiscent of the cherubim placed at the entrance of the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24). The cherubim in the temple were large, sculpted figures, symbolizing the heavenly beings that surround God's throne (Ezekiel 10:1-22). This reflects the temple's purpose as a microcosm of the heavenly realm, where God meets with His people.

Since their wings were spread out,
The spreading of the cherubim's wings signifies protection and the covering of God's glory. In biblical symbolism, wings often represent swiftness and divine protection (Psalm 91:4). The imagery of wings spread out over the Ark of the Covenant, which was placed beneath the cherubim, emphasizes the sacredness of the space and the divine presence that dwells there.

the wing of the first cherub touched one wall,
The touching of the wall by the cherub's wing indicates the vastness and grandeur of the cherubim, which were each ten cubits high and ten cubits wide (1 Kings 6:23-26). This detail underscores the meticulous design and craftsmanship involved in the temple's construction, reflecting the glory and majesty of God. The cherubim's wings touching the walls also symbolize the encompassing presence of God, who fills the entire space.

while the wing of the second cherub touched the other wall,
This symmetry in the design of the cherubim highlights the order and harmony inherent in God's creation and His dwelling place. The cherubim's wings touching opposite walls create a sense of balance and completeness, mirroring the perfection of God's heavenly throne room. This design also serves as a reminder of God's omnipresence, as His glory fills the temple from wall to wall.

and in the middle of the room their wingtips touched.
The touching of the wingtips in the center of the room symbolizes unity and the meeting point of heaven and earth. This central point, directly above the Ark of the Covenant, represents the focal point of God's presence and His covenant with Israel. The cherubim's wingtips touching in the middle signifies the completeness of God's protection and the centrality of His presence in the life of His people. This imagery foreshadows the ultimate meeting of heaven and earth in the person of Jesus Christ, who is the true temple and the mediator between God and humanity (John 1:14, Colossians 1:19-20).

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
The king of Israel who built the temple in Jerusalem, fulfilling his father David's desire to create a permanent dwelling place for the Ark of the Covenant.

2. Cherubim
Angelic beings placed in the inner sanctuary of the temple. Their wings spread across the room, symbolizing God's presence and protection.

3. Inner Sanctuary (Holy of Holies)
The most sacred part of the temple where the Ark of the Covenant was kept. It represented the dwelling place of God among His people.

4. Temple in Jerusalem
The central place of worship for the Israelites, signifying God's covenant with Israel and His presence among them.

5. Ark of the Covenant
A sacred chest that held the tablets of the Ten Commandments, representing God's covenant with Israel.
Teaching Points
Symbolism of the Cherubim
The cherubim represent God's holiness and His presence among His people. Their placement in the inner sanctuary signifies the importance of reverence and worship in the presence of God.

God's Dwelling Among His People
The temple, and specifically the inner sanctuary, is a powerful reminder of God's desire to dwell among His people. This foreshadows the coming of Christ, who is Emmanuel, "God with us."

The Importance of Obedience
Solomon's adherence to God's specific instructions for the temple construction reflects the importance of obedience in our relationship with God. It serves as a reminder that our worship should align with God's commands.

The Role of Sacred Spaces
The inner sanctuary as a sacred space emphasizes the need for dedicated times and places for worship in our lives, where we can focus on God's presence and glory.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does the presence of the cherubim in the inner sanctuary enhance our understanding of God's holiness and presence?

2. In what ways does the construction of the temple reflect the importance of obedience to God's instructions in our own lives?

3. How can the symbolism of the cherubim's wings touching the walls and each other inspire us to seek God's protection and presence in our daily lives?

4. What parallels can we draw between the inner sanctuary of the temple and our personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ?

5. How can we create "sacred spaces" in our own lives to ensure we are regularly focusing on worship and communion with God?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 25:18-22
Describes the original instructions for the construction of the cherubim on the Ark of the Covenant, highlighting the continuity of God's design from the tabernacle to the temple.

Hebrews 9:3-5
Discusses the layout of the tabernacle, including the Holy of Holies and the cherubim, drawing parallels to the heavenly sanctuary.

Psalm 91:4
Uses the imagery of wings to describe God's protection, similar to the protective symbolism of the cherubim's wings in the temple.
The Mystery of the CherubimA. Rowland
People
David, Israelites, Solomon
Places
Egypt, Jerusalem, Most Holy Place
Topics
Center, Cherub, Cherubim, Cherubs, Forth, Inner, Innermost, Inside, Middle, Midst, Outstretched, Placed, Room, Setteth, Spread, Stretched, Temple, Touched, Touching, Wall, Walls, Wing, Wings, Within
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Kings 6:27

     5604   walls
     7467   temple, Solomon's

1 Kings 6:1-37

     7236   Israel, united kingdom

1 Kings 6:14-35

     5399   luxury

1 Kings 6:14-36

     5531   skill

1 Kings 6:15-38

     5207   architecture

1 Kings 6:22-28

     7396   Most Holy Place

1 Kings 6:23-28

     4492   olive

1 Kings 6:23-29

     4114   angels, and praise

1 Kings 6:27-35

     4303   metals

Library
Great Preparations for a Great Work
'And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David. 2. And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying, 3. Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the Lord his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the Lord put them under the soles of his feet. 4. But now the Lord my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

"When Solomon was Old. "
"It came to pass when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other Gods." 1 KINGS xi. 4. Who could have predicted that this would come to pass? And yet it is often so, for it is still true that NO AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE WILL SAVE FROM BACKSLIDING THOSE WHO REFUSE TO LISTEN TO GOD. We learn from verse 10 that God had taken pains to save Solomon from idolatry, (see 1 Kings vi. 12, and xi. 6). But what good is it for even God to try to save a man who will have his own way? And
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread

A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

The First Part
Of the Apocalyptical Commentaries, according to the Rule of the Apocalyptical Key, on the First Prophecy which is contained in the Seals and Trumpets; with an Introduction concerning the Scene of the Apocalypse. As it is my design to investigate the meaning of the Apocalyptical visions, it is requisite for me to treat, in the first place, of that celestial theatre to which John was called, in order to behold them, exhibited as on a stage, and afterwards of the prophecies in succession, examined by
Joseph Mede—A Key to the Apocalypse

The Historical Books.
1. In the Pentateuch we have the establishment of the Theocracy, with the preparatory and accompanying history pertaining to it. The province of the historical books is to unfold its practiced working, and to show how, under the divine superintendence and guidance, it accomplished the end for which it was given. They contain, therefore, primarily, a history of God's dealings with the covenant people under the economy which he had imposed upon them. They look at the course of human events on the
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.),
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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