1 Kings 7:9–12 gives a general statement concerning the construction of the entire palace complex that Solomon decreed to be built. In the previous verses of this section, there is an emphasis on cedar used in the construction of the palace complex, but in these verses our attention is directed to the use of costly stones
that were shaped with saws. The quantity of these stones is given in language that we can paraphrase thus: from the inside out and from the top to the bottom. The stones used in the foundation were of great size, 4 metres and 5 metres approximately.
Thus, even as brief as the description of the royal complex is, the writer is able clearly to demonstrate the magnificence it would have displayed.
In the last verse of this section the writer uses deftly to redirect our attention once again to the temple’s construction. He does this by suggesting that what is true of Solomon’s own house in building technique is also true of the temple.
9 All these were made of costly stones, cut according to measure, sawed with saws, back and front, even from the foundation to the coping, and from the outside to the great court.