The Temple is built and Solomon has been (twice) reminded of the importance of his obedience. Now we learn about his palace and the furnishings in the Temple.
I Kings 7
Solomon's Palace (v 1-12)
Solomon took 13 years to build his own "house" (palace).
- It first describes his "house of the forest of Lebanon. My Ryrie Study Bible footnote says this is apparently an armory based on verses 10:16-17.
- fancy windows
- big hall/throne room
- his own living chambers
- a house for his Egyptian wife
- all of costly stone
- lots of cedar
In and Around the Temple (v 13-51
The Bronze Pillars
First, specific details about the two bronze pillars. Lots of pomegranates and lilies. Lots of fine chain work. All done by Hiram, the craftsman from Tyre. (Not the King, but his master craftsman.)
The pillars were topped with intecate "capitals".
Jachin and Boaz
The right pillar was named Jachin, meaning "He establishes".
The left pillar was named Boaz, meaning "in Him is strength".
The Laver
Next Hiram the craftman made the giant "sea of metal" cleansing pool for the priests to ceremonially clean themselves.
- 52" around, it contained over 11,000 gallons of water! (according to Ryrie)
- It was set on a stand of 12 bronze oxen, three facing out in each direction.
- Plus 10 movable basins an wheels, each from an intricately, single-cast piece of bronze.
- decorations were lions, oxen, and cherubs
- he also made shovels and bowls
Inside the Temple
Starting in verse 48, Solomon made all of the implements for inside the Temple.
- golden altar
- golden table for the bread
- gold lampstands
- gold tongs
- cups, snuffers, bowls, spoons, firepans
- even the hinges were gold
This completed the work on the Temple.
Then it said he brought in the stuff his father had dedicated and placed it in the treasury of the house of the Lord.
II Chronicles 4
The Temple
- Huram (the craftsman) made a bronze altar, the same as described in Exodus 27.
- Then the author describes the laver (cleansing pool) and the decorations and stand around it.
- Then the lampstands, tables, and bowls.
- Then the court and the doors to the court.
- Then the courtly instruments.
- Then the Capitals (spheres on top of the pillars)
- Solomon also had made for God for the holy of holies: the golden altar and table for the bread of the Presence. As well as the gold lampstands and instruments
Wiersbe Commentary
- Everything seemed to "mirror" what was designed for the Tabernacle; but larger- since they were no longer traveling and the number of people has grown.
- The bronze altar was for the burnt sacrifices.
- The cleansing pools and its surrounding cleansing pools were much larger than the Tabernacle version. Please highly decorated with heavy bronze (huge single pieces), which could not have been carried around the wilderness.
- According to Wiersbe, in scripture:
- water for drinking is a symbol of the Spirit of God
- water for cleansing is a picture of the Word of God.
Wiersbe also points out that Solomon was simultaneously building the Temple for the Lord, using incalculable riches and precious resources; meanwhile being lulled by sin (married to many foreign wives who led his astray) that would cause the downfall and loss of all of those riches to the foreign invaders.
So What?
God will have His will done. And sometimes He'll even use us and prosper us to get that plan done. But that doesn't mean sin isn't still taking a toll.
It's so important to fight sin on every front; give it no quarter.
Of course, that is only possible through the Holy Spirit. Drawing close to the Lord and choosing each day to pursue obedience and love for the Lord and my neighbor. Amen.