The interpretation timeline

1Kgs 6:36

How this passage has been read — the sources, oldest to newest.

From the early Church Fathers to now.

1 Patristic · 1 Medieval

1Kgs 6:36 · Douay-Rheims
“And he built the inner court with three rows of polished stones, and one row of beams of cedar.”
Patristic before A.D. 750
735
A.D.
Bede Patristic
A.D. 673–735
“Hence it is aptly noted that the priests' court was constructed of three courses of polished stones and one course of cedar beams. For the three courses of polished stones are faith, hope and charity, and the expression "of polished stones" is appropriate because each one needs a certain amount of intelligence to discern how he ought to believe and what he ought to hope for as well as love. But the one course of cedar beams is good works performed without being vitiated by outward show, since, if this condition is lacking, faith, hope and charity cannot be genuine. For it has often been said that on account of their pleasant fragrance and naturally incorruptible quality, cedar beams symbolize the enduring character and good repute of works of piety. All the elect who aim at pleasing God by faith, hope, love and action get as far as this court. Beyond it climb the perfect by the exalted grace of their merits since they reach such a peak of virtue that they can say to their hearers, "Be imitators of us as we also are of Christ," and boast and say, "Do you not know that we shall judge the angels? How much more the things of this world?"”
Source
539 years pass — nothing from this stretch is hosted yet
Scholastic c. 1100 – 1500
1274
A.D.
Bonaventure Medieval
c. A.D. 1221–1274
“There is yet another distinction based upon the elevation and the different levels of ecclesiastics. Now, it is fitting that this distinction be ordained "with three rows of polished stones." Indeed, among the levels, some are cleansing, others enlightening, and others again uniting.”
Modern · 1953 →

The in-app commentary runs from the Fathers to the early-modern record, then stops — that's where the public-domain sources end, not where the reading does. For the modern reading, follow the sources directly.