1 Kings 6:7

“And the house, when it was in building, etc.] And all the while it was building: was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither; being hewn or squared by the builders and stonesquarers of Solomon and Hiram, (<110518>1 Kings 5:18); wherefore the builders had nothing more to do than to lay them in their proper places in the building; it was built with these stones quite up to the ceiling, as Josephus says f95; and these so admirably polished, and so artificially joined together, that not the least sign of an axe, or of any working tool, could be discerned in them: so that there was neither hammer, nor axe, [nor] any tool of iron, heard in the house while it was in building; the…”

“there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house while it was in building--A subterranean quarry has been very recently discovered near Jerusalem, where the temple stones are supposed to have been hewn. There is unequivocal evidence in this quarry that the stones were dressed there; for there are blocks very similar in size, as well as of the same kind of stone, as those found in the ancient remains. Thence, probably, they would be moved on rollers down the Tyropean valley to the very side of the temple [PORTER, Tent and Kahn].”

“The spirit of the command (marginal references), was followed. Thus the fabric rose without noise. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Made ready - Hewed, and squared, and fitted exactly according to the direction of the architect. Neither hammer, &c. - So it was ordered, partly for the ease and conveniency of carriage: partly, for the magnificence of the work, and commendation of the workmen's skill and diligence: and partly, for mystical signification. And as this temple was a manifest type both of Christ's church upon earth, and of the heavenly Jerusalem: so this circumstance signified as to the former, that it is the duty of the builders and members of the church, as far as in them lies, to take care that all things be transacted there with perfect peace and quietness; and that no noise of contention, or division, or…”

“built of stone: Kg1 5:17, Kg1 5:18; Deu 27:5, Deu 27:6; Pro 24:27; Rom 9:23; Co2 5:5; Col 1:12; Pe1 2:5 neither hammer: Isa 42:2; Act 9:31; Jam 1:20, Jam 3:17, Jam 3:18 3 Kings (1 Kings) 6:8”