We move in 1 Kings 7:6 from the consideration of the Palace of the Forrest of Lebanon to the description of another building called the Hall of Pillars. This may be a bit confusing because of the many pillars that were used in the building of the previous edifice. The use of many pillars would be in stark contrast to the construction of the average house in Israel. Moreover, even in the temple there were only two free-standing pillars outside the entrance into the Holy Place.
It is said that a picture is worth a thousand words. But the writer gives neither at this point, so we are left to make the best sense that we can out of his description. There seem to have been two additions to the hall of pillars. The first is called a porch, and we have met this term in the description of the building of the temple. The second addition is called a canopy. The porch was immediately in front of the main hall, and the threshold was in front of the porch. Once again, these features set Solomon’s house in distinction from the houses of the Israelites in general.
The use of the Hall of Pillars is unknown to us. Speculation at this point would be without warrant from anything contained in the Scriptures other than being another example of Solomon’s wealth and splendour.
6 And he made the Hall of Pillars; its length was fifty cubits, and its breadth thirty cubits. There was a porch in front with pillars, and a canopy in front of them.