The foundation of the house of the LORD was laid in the fourth year of Solomon’s reign, in the month of Ziv.
Here, I. We have a particular account of the details of the building. 1. The wainscot of the temple. It was of cedar (Kg1 6:15), which was strong and durable, and of a very sweet smell. The wainscot was curiously carved with knops (like eggs or apples) and flowers, no doubt as the fashion then was, Kg1 6:18. 2. The gilding.
Commenting on 1 Kings 6:15-38
THE TIME TAKEN TO BUILD IT. (Kg1 6:37-38) In the fourth year was the foundation laid--The building was begun in the second month of the fourth year and completed in the eighth month of the eleventh year of Solomon's reign, comprising a period of seven and a half years, which is reckoned here in round numbers.
1Ki 6:37-38 The time consumed in building. - The foundation was laid in the fourth year in the month Ziv (see 1Ki 6:1), and it was finished in the eleventh year in the month Bul, i.e., the eighth month, so that it was built in seven years, or, more precisely, seven years and a half, “according to all its matters and all its due.” בּוּל...
Commenting on 1 Kings 6:37-38