Bible Commentaries
1 Kings 7

Verse 5

doors = entrances.

Verse 9

sawed with saws. Figure of speech Ployptoton . App-6 .

Verse 14

a widow's. One of nine widows specially mentioned. See note on Genesis 38:19 .

Naphtali: by marriage. By birth, of Dan (2 Chronicles 2:14 ). Dan furnished Aholiab, one of the builders of the Tabernacle (Exodus 31:6 ).

cunning = knowing, or skilful. Compare 1 Samuel 16:18 . 1 Chronicles 22:15 .

works in brass = castings in bronze. These were the subjects of later prophecy (Jeremiah 27:19 ), fulfilled in 2 Kings 25:13-17 .

Verse 15

cast. Hebrew fashioned.

two pillars = the two pillars: i.e. the two notable pillars, for ornament, not for support, and hollow (Jeremiah 52:21 ).

eighteen cubits high apiece. So 2 Kings 25:17 and Jeremiah 52:21 . But 2 Chronicles 3:15 (margin) says thirty-five cubits long: i.e. together, the top of "each" being reckoned separately. Therefore the height here was 17 + cubit being taken up in the joining on of the capital.

apiece. This is the reckoning here. In 2 Chronicles 3:15 they are reckoned together. See margin.

Verse 16

chapiters. Old French chapiteau, from Latin. capitu-lum = capitals, or crowns.

five cubits. So 2 Chronicles 3:15 . But 2 Kings 25:17 says three cubits, not including the "wreathen" or lattice work, which is described separately, and must have been two cubits.

Verse 17

nets = frames, or net- or lattice-work. These are included in the five cubits here and in 2 Chronicles 3:15 , but not in 2 Kings 25:17 .

Verse 20

belly = swell, or protuberance.

Verse 21

in the porch = for the porch.

Jachin = He (God) will establish. Referring to His

Boaz = In Him (God) is strength, People Israel.

Verse 23

molten sea = brazen laver. "Sea" put by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Adjunct) for what contained it.

a line of thirty cubits. Here the proportion of the diameter to the circumference (1 Kings 1:3 ) was revealed, while human wisdom was still searching it out.

Verse 26

two thousand. 2 Chronicles 4:5 says three thousand. But 1 Kings 7:26 speaks of what it did (usually) contain; while 2 Chronicles 4:5 speaks of what it could " receive and hold". No bath in use is filled to its full capacity.

baths. See App-51 .

Verse 28

borders = panels, or enclosures.

Verse 29

additions = connections. Probably wreaths. Occurs only here and 1 Kings 7:29 , 1Ki 7:30 , 1 Kings 7:36 .

Verse 30

wheels : showing that these lavers were movable; and indicating that when "that which is perfect should come (viz. the washing with spirit, Acts 1:5 ), the type (water) was to be wheeled away".

plates = axletrees.

undersetters = projections, or supports.

at the side of = opposite.

Verse 31

borders = panels. Removed by Ahaz (2 Kings 16:17 ). Replaced by Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 29:19 ). Existed at taking of Temple (Jeremiah 52:17 , Jeremiah 52:20 ).

Verse 33

naves = felloes.

felloes = spokes.

spokes = naves.

Verse 36

proportion : i.e. on a reduced scale, as the plates required.

Verse 40

lavers = cauldrons (for boiling the peace offerings). Some codices, with three early printed editions, Septuagint, and Vulgate, read "pans". Compare 1 Kings 7:45 and 2 Chronicles 4:11 .

made = made for.

Verse 41

networks = lattices.

Verse 42

upon = upon the face of. Figure of speech Pleonasm. App-6 .

Verse 47

found out = sought out. 4

Verse 48

vessels = furniture.

altar : i.e. the altar of incense. Compare 1 Kings 6:22 .

Verse 49

candlesticks. Compare 2 Chronicles 4:20 . Solomon exceeded the pattern in number but followed the design in shape. Size not stated.

pure gold. In Palestine, gold has the least possible alloy, and is exceedingly malleable.

Verse 50

the most holy place = the holy of holies.

Verse 51

the things which David his father had dedicated = the holy things of David. Hebrew. kodesh . See note on Exodus 3:5