Before the end of 1 Kings 6:2 the narrative moves from an exclusive interest in the inner sanctuary to other parts of the temple as well. We are told of an altar of cedar wood that was overlaid with gold. This was the altar of incense that was located in the outer sanctuary.
This theme of gold covering continues in the narrative at this point, and it will continue also in many of the verses that follow. The prevalence of the mention of gold argues strongly for its importance. It is hard to imagine a better reason than the idea of the symbol of divinity in the permanence of gold.
Yet why was there an altar of incense? In Scripture, incense is symbolic of prayer. If God was going to be approached, he must be approached prayerfully. The purpose was not to create a sweet-smelling atmosphere for the worshippers, for this altar was in the place that only the priests and the Levites could go. The sweet smell or pleasing aroma, as the Bible sometimes refers to this, was only pleasing to God, as it was symbolic of the praise and adoration of the peoples’ prayer.
20 The inner sanctuary was twenty cubits long, twenty cubits wide, and twenty cubits high, and he overlaid it with pure gold. He also overlaid an altar of cedar.