1 Kings 6:38
ESV
And in the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished in all its parts, and according to all its specifications. He was seven years in building it.
NIV
In the eleventh year in the month of Bul, the eighth month, the temple was finished in all its details according to its specifications. He had spent seven years building it.
NASB
And in the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, that is, the eighth month, the house was finished in all its parts and in accordance with all its plans. So he was seven years in building it.
CSB
In his eleventh year in the month of Bul, which is the eighth month, the temple was completed in every detail and according to every specification. So he built it in seven years.
NLT
The entire building was completed in every detail by midautumn, in the month of Bul, during the eleventh year of his reign. So it took seven years to build the Temple.
KJV
And in the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, was the house finished throughout all the parts thereof, and according to all the fashion of it. So was he seven years in building it.
NKJV
And in the eleventh year, in the month of Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished in all its details and according to all its plans. So he was seven years in building it.
What does 1 Kings 6:38 mean?
It's October or November in 959 BC, seven-and-a-half years after workers laid the foundation for the temple. The building and the courtyard are finished. The temple is 90 feet / 27.4 meters long, 30 feet / 9 meters wide, and 45 feet / 13.7 meters high. In the front is a 15-foot / 4.6-meter-deep covered porch. The other three sides are a 3-story structure. The buildings are made of stone with cedar roofs. The stone was quarried and formed there before being transported to the temple site. The interior of the temple is covered with carved cedar and overlaid with gold. Around the temple is a stone and cedar wall that forms the inner courtyard (1 Kings 6:2–36).Next, Solomon will build his palace complex (1 Kings 7:1–12). It will take thirteen years. Only then will he dedicate the temple.
Many Bible commentators criticize Solomon for waiting so long to dedicate the temple. However, there are a couple of things to consider. First, he held the temple site so sacred that he made the stoneworkers dress the stones at the quarry so the mountaintop would be quiet (1 Kings 6:7). Second, the temple building is finished, but not the furnishings.
Currently, the temple only has the altar of incense and two giant cherubim. The vestibule still needs the two great pillars, and the courtyard needs the cast-metal sea, the water stands and basins, and the tools for the altar (1 Kings 7:13–47). In addition, the priests need the table for the bread of Presence, the lampstands, and all the related accessories (1 Kings 7:48–50).
Once all those things are finished, Solomon will bring the ark of the covenant into its permanent home, and the glory of the Lord will fill the temple (1 Kings 8:1–11).
