1 Kings 7

1 Kings 7:1

3. The Construction of Other Buildings (7:1-12)7:1 The narrative now turns to the construction of Solomon’s own house and other royal buildings included in the great court. Solomon’s house, or the royal palace, took thirteen years to build. It was located slightly southeast of the temple and just outside the wall of the inner court. Some think that the fact that it took six years longer to build the palace than the temple indicates a greater concern for Solomon’s ego than for God’s glory. On the other hand, perhaps the temple took only seven years because of Solomon’s zeal for God to be given a place, and his thousands of laborers built a “holy temple” (for the LORD) at a greater speed. 7:2-12 The House of the Forest of Lebanon (vv. 2-5) was at the southern portion of the great court. Its outstanding feature was the large number of cedar pillars in it. Perhaps this accounted for its name. We do not know definitely the function of this building, but we surmise from 1Ki_10:17 that it was an armory. Immediately north of the House of the Forest of Lebanon was the Hall (or Porch) of Pillars (v. 6). It was probably the entrance to the Hall of Judgment and the throne room (v. 7). Adjoining the royal palace was the House of Pharaoh’s daughter, where it is likely that the royal harem lived (v. 8). All the buildings were made of costly stone blocks cut to exact measurements. Also, the wall around the great court was made of three rows of stone blocks covered by cedar beams. Another perspective of these verses sees the House of the Forest of Lebanon, the Hall of Pillars, and the Hall of the Throne (the Hall of Judgment) as all part of the palace. The hall made for Pharaoh’s daughter adjoined the royal residence.

1 Kings 7:13

4. Furnishings of the Temple (7:13-51)7:13, 14 Huram (spelled Hiram in Heb. and KJV) was not the same as the king of Tyre. He was a master workman of Jewish lineage who lived in Tyre. 7:15-22 Next two huge pillars of bronze which stood at the entrance of the temple are described. One was named Jachin (He shall establish) and the other Boaz (in Him is strength). At the top of each pillar was a bowl-like capital, highly ornamental. Although the physical details of these pillars are given, we are not told the spiritual significance behind them. Someone has well observed that the pillars of God’s living temple today are believers of holy character (Gal_2:9). Rev_3:12 is God’s promise that those who overcome will be made pillars in His heavenly temple for all eternity. 7:23-26 The Sea of cast bronze was the huge laver which stood in the inner court. It was a large basin, supported by twelve bronze oxen and placed between the temple and the altar, but to the south (2Ch_4:10). It supplied water for the priests to wash their hands and feet. 7:27-39 In addition to the large laver, there were ten smaller lavers resting on four-wheeled carts or stands. No mention is made of the bronze altar until 1Ki_8:64, although it too was in the inner court. 7:40-47 Huram supervised the construction of all the burnished bronze work in connection with the temple area, including the pots, the shovels, and the bowls of the temple itself. The bronze articles were cast in clay, in much the same manner as is done today (v. 46). 7:48-50 The furnishings of the holy place included the golden altar of incense, the table of gold, ten golden tables of showbread (2Ch_4:8), ten golden lampstands of pure gold, and the golden utensils. 7:51 David had made elaborate preparations for the temple that he was not allowed to build. Solomon brought these treasures into the temple for use and safekeeping. Differences between this chapter and 2 Chronicles 24 are discussed in the notes on 2 Chronicles.