1 Kings 6:23

“And within the oracle he made two cherubim [of] olive tree, etc.] Or of the oil tree, as in (<234119>Isaiah 41:19); (see <160815>Nehemiah 8:15); for there are other trees besides olives, out of which oil is pressed, as pine trees, cypress trees, etc. and which some think are here meant; though the Targum interprets it of the olive tree: these cherubim are different from those made by Moses, and were besides them; these were larger than they; these were made of olive wood, they of gold; these stood on the floor of the house, they at the two ends of the mercy seat, and were made out of it, and were with it in this holy place in Solomon’s temple: these two cherubim may be emblems of the angels…”

“Two cherubims - The pattern of the tabernacle was followed (marginal reference), but without servile imitation. The original cherubs were entirely of gold. These, being so much larger, were of wood, merely overlaid with a golden plating. The arrangement of the wings, and the direction of the faces, seem also to have been different. Moses’ cherubim “covered with their wings over the mercy seat;” Solomon’s stretched out theirs to the full 1 Kings 6:27, so that the four wings, each five cubits long 1 Kings 6:24, extended across the whole sanctuary, the width of which was twenty cubits 1 Kings 6:20. The former looked toward one another, and were bent downward toward the mercy-seat; the latter…”

“Cherubim - Besides those two made by Moses, Exo 25:18, which were of gold, and far less than these. The Heathens set up images of their gods, and worshipped them. These were designed to represent the servants and attendants of the God of Israel, the holy angels, not to be worshipped themselves, but to shew how great he is whom we worship. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 6:29”

“6:23-28 In the inner sanctuary were two cherubim (see study note on 1 Chr 28:18) made of olive wood and overlaid . . . with gold. Standing like sentries facing the door (2 Chr 3:13), their combined wingspan reached from wall to wall. Along with the two smaller cherubim facing each other atop the Ark (Exod 25:17-21), they symbolized the awesome presence of the Most Holy God.”

“two cherubims: These were distinct from, and much larger than those which covered the mercy-seat. Gen 3:24; Exo 25:18-22, Exo 37:7-9; Ch2 3:10-13; Psa 18:10, Psa 80:1; Isa 37:16; Ezek. 10:2-22; Heb 1:14; Pe1 1:12 olive tree: or, oily trees, Heb. trees of oil 3 Kings (1 Kings) 6:27”