ot been so long
beforehand gotten ready, nor had been so zealously prepared, and on
account that this was only a habitation for kings, and not for God,
it was longer in finishing. However, this building was raised so
magnificently, as suited the happy state of the Hebrews, and of the king
thereof. But it is necessary that I describe the entire structure and
disposition of the parts, that so those that light upon this book may
thereby make a conjecture, and, as it were, have a prospect of its
magnitude.

2. This house was a large and curious building, and was supported by
many pillars, which Solomon built to contain a multitnde for hearing
causes, and taking cognizance of suits. It was sufficiently capacious
to contain a great body of men, who would come together to have their
causes determined. It was a hundred cubits long, and fifty broad, and
thirty high, supported by quadrangular pillars, which were all of cedar;
but its roof was according to the Corinthian order, [14] with folding
doors, and their adjoining pillars of equal magnitude, each fluted with
three cavities; which building as at once firm, and very ornamental.
There was also another house so ordered, that its entire breadth was
placed in the middle; it was quadrangular, and its breadth was thirty
cubits, having a temple over against it, raised upon massy pillars; in
which temple there was a large and very glorious room, wherein the king
sat in judgment. To this was joined another house that was built for his
queen. There were other smaller edifices for diet, and for sleep, after
public matters were over; and these were all floored with boards of
cedar. Some of these Solomon built with stones of ten cubits, and
wainscoted the walls with other stones that were sawed, and were of
great value, such as are dug out of the earth for the ornaments of
temples, and to make fine prospects in royal palaces, and which make
the mines whence they are dug famous. Now the contexture of the curious
workmanship of these stones was in three rows, but the fourth row would
make one admire its sculptures, whereby were represented trees, and all
sorts of plants; with the shades that arose from their branches, and
leaves that hung down from them. Those trees anti plants covered the
stone that was beneath them, and their leaves were wrought so prodigious
thin and subtile, that you would think they were in motion; but
the other part up to the roof, was plastered over, and, as it were