his reign. It was built on mount Sion, on the place which David had prepared for it, on the top of mount Moriah. Mount Moriah was a high point of mount Sion, on the north-east side: it was on this mountain that Abraham had been commanded to offer up his son Isaac.

While the temple of the Lord was building, there was no sound of hammer, or axe, or any tool of iron, heard within it; for the stone and the timber were hewed and fitted before they were brought there, that they might be put together silently. And for seven years the house which Solomon prepared for the Lord God of Israel, to be dedicated to His service, rose up in silence on mount Sion, until all was completed, according to the pattern which he had received from David his father, and which David had received from the Lord.

1 Kings v. vi. 7. 37, 38. 2 Chronicles ii. 1 Chronicles xxviii. 12. 19.

To endue a person with wisdom and understanding, is to make him wise and prudent.

The foundation, is the part of a building which is laid deep and strong in the earth, on which the rest is built.

To renounce, is to give up.

Chapter CXLE.

THE TEMPLE OF THE LORD ON MOUNT SION.

THE temple which Solomon built on the hill of Sion for the God of Israel was "exceeding magnifical;" for it was built for God and not for man. Therefore it was made beautiful and very costly; and everything that was precious and valued by the children of Israel was used to adorn it, that it might be "of fame and glory among all nations."

The temple, or holy house, was sixty cubits, or one hundred and eight feet long; its breadth was thirty-six feet, and its height fifty-four feet; and in front towards the east there was a lofty porch or tower, which was of the same width as the temple, but much higher. It was built of stones of great size, hewn and polished with cost and care; and the walls within, were lined with cedar wood, which was carved into forms of palm trees, and fruits, and flowers.

The space within the temple was divided by

chains of gold stretched from wall to wall, from which was hung a veil woven of blue, and purple, and scarlet threads. Within the veil was the holy of holies, or oracle, where the ark of God was to be placed, and where the High-priest alone might enter. The walls, and ceiling, and floor of the oracle, or holy of holies, were overlaid with gold; and the holy place which was without the veil was also covered with gold; and the doors which opened towards the east were of olivewood overlaid with gold, with golden hinges.

Outside the temple, against the walls, there were built three rows of chambers on each side, which reached halfway up the walls. These chambers were for the treasures of the Lord's house, and for the garments which the priests used when they ministered before the Lord, and burnt incense in the temple. Above these chambers in the walls of the temple were narrow windows, made wider within, to give light to the holy place.

Around the temple on every side there was a large court, or open space, surrounded by a wall built of hewn stone, and lined with cedar wood.

This court was called the priests' court, into which the people might not enter. Beyond the court of the priests there was another court of great size for the people, surrounded by a high wall of stone, with a porch with gates of brass on every side. Against this wall on the inner side, were built chambers for the priests, with open galleries, or cloisters, underneath. The wall which separated the priests' court from the court of the people was low, that the priests might be seen by the people; and on the east, and west, and north, were gates which opened into the outer court.

Within the priests' court, in front of the temple, was placed the large altar of burnt offerings. The altar was of brass and of great size; its width was thirty-six feet, and its height was eighteen feet; and in front towards the east there was a long slope, by which the priest might ascend to the top of the altar to offer sacrifice. So when offerings were offered upon the great altar of sacrifice, the priest and the offering could be seen by all the people from the outer court. And at the entrance of the priests' court there was placed a vast bowl,

or vessel of brass, which the workmen of Tyre had formed for Solomon. This brasen bowl was very beautiful, and was placed on figures of twelve oxen made of molten brass. It was so large that it was called, "the brasen sea;" for its depth was nine feet, and its width across was eighteen feet. It was placed on the side of the gate of the priests' court opposite to the temple, that the priests might wash their hands and feet with the water that flowed from it, before they offered sacrifice or entered into the holy place. There were also ten other brasen lavers or vessels for water, of smaller size, placed within the court of the priests, from which they might draw water to wash the burnt offerings.

Within the temple in the holy place, on the outside of the veil, there were placed golden tables for the shewbread, and ten golden candlesticks with golden lamps, five on each side, and in front of the veil was a golden altar for incense with censers of gold. And within the oracle or holy of holies, at the end of the temple, were two large cherubim with wings outstretched,