The First Book of the Kings, commonly called the Third Book of the Kings
1 Kings 7
Chapter VII · Vol. II, pp. 729–731
1 The building of Solomon's house. 2 Of the house of Lebanon. 6 Of the porch of pillars. 7 Of the porch of judgment. 8 Of the house for Pharaoh's daughter. 13 Hiram's work of the two pillars. 23 Of the molten sea. 27 Of the ten bases. 38 Of the ten lavers, 40 and all the other vessels.
1 But Solomon was building ahis own house thirteenb years,1 and he finished all his house.2
a ch.9.10. Ec.2.4,5.
b ch.9.10; 10.17. Mat.6.33. Col.3.1.
1 Thirteen years more, see 2 Ch.8.1.—C.
2 This first verse is a superscription or heading to what is recorded in the following verses. Solomon spent thirteen years in the erection of his royal palace. Having made this general statement, the historian proceeds to describe in detail the several parts of the magnificent structure. These were classed under four heads: 1. The house or rather hall of the forest of Lebanon. 2. The porch or adytum connected with it. 3. The throne-room or judgment-hall. 4. The private dwelling, which would now be called in the East the harîm Connected with the latter was a separate house for his Egyptian wife.—P.
2 He built3 also the house of the forest of Lebanon;4 the length thereof was an hundred cubits[≈ 46 m · 150 ft], and the breadth thereof fifty cubits[≈ 23 m · 75 ft], and the height thereof thirty cubits[≈ 14 m · 45 ft], upon four rows of cedar-pillars, with cedar-beams upon the pillars.
3 B.C. 991.
4 Nothing is precisely known of the reason why this house was so called. That it was in or immediately adjoining to Jerusalem, seems evident from ver. 7, for we cannot imagine the supreme court of law removed to any considerable distance. Still, it may have been surrounded with such lofty trees, and erected on such a lofty position, as may have suggested the name both of the forest and the mountain.—C.
3 And it was covered with cedar above upon the beams,5 that lay on forty-five pillars, fifteen in a row.
5 Heb. ribs.
4 And there were windows in three rows, and light was against light6 in three ranks.
6 Heb. sight against sight.
5 And all the doors and posts were square with the windows:7 and light was against light in three ranks.
7 Or, spaces and pillars were square in prospect.
6 And he made a porch of pillars; the length thereof was fifty cubits[≈ 23 m · 75 ft], and the breadth thereof thirty cubits[≈ 14 m · 45 ft]: and the porch was before them;8 and the other pillars and the thick beam were before them.9
8 Or, according to them.
9 Or, according to them.
7 Then1 he made a porch for cthe throne where he might judge, even the porch dof judgment: and it was covered with cedar from one side of the floor to the other.2
8 And his house where he dwelt had anothere court within the porch, which was of the like work. Solomon made also an house for Pharaoh's daughter, fwhom he had taken to wife, like unto this porch.
9 All these3 were of gcostly stones, according to the measures of hewed stones, sawed with saws,4 within and without, even from the foundation unto the coping, and so on the outside toward the great court.
3 All these buildings, including the temple and palace.—P.
g ch.5.17.
4 A method of cutting valuable stone still practised, by means of a thin saw of iron, acting by means of sand and water.—C.
10 And the hfoundation was of costly stones, even great stones, stones of ten cubits[≈ 4.6 m · 15 ft], and stones of eight cubits[≈ 3.7 m · 12 ft].
11 And above were icostly stones (after the measures of hewed stones) and cedars.
i 1 Pe.2.5. Ep.2.20-22.
12 And the great court round about was withk three rows of hewed stones, and a row of cedar-beams, both for the inner court of the house of the LORD, and for the porch of the house.
k ch.6.36.
14 He was a widow's son7 of the tribe of Naphtali,8 and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass; and he was mfilled with wisdom and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass: and he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work.
7 Heb. the son of a widow woman.
8 How is this to be reconciled with 2 Ch. 2. 14, which says she was of the tribe of Dan? She may have been of the one tribe by the father, and of the other tribe by the mother; or a daughter of Naphtali married into the tribe of Dan; or the reverse, and, when a widow, married to a man of Tyre, by whom she had this son.—C.
15 For he ncast two pillars of brass, of eighteen cubits[≈ 8.2 m · 27 ft] high apiece;9 and a line of twelve cubits[≈ 5.5 m · 18 ft] did compass either of them about.1
n Heb. fashioned, Je.52.21. 2 Ch.3.15. 2 Ki.25.16,17.
9 This statement is reconciled with 2 Ch.3.15. where they are said to be 35 cubits, by recollecting that as modern ounces, pounds, perches, acres, &c., differ from one another, so Jewish weights and measures of the same name differed. The common cubit, accordingly, was but one-half the cubit of the sanctuary, so that 18 of the one would give 36 of the other, which, deducting a foot for the plinth, would give 35 for the shaft of the pillar.—C.
1 B.C. 1004.
16 And he made two chapiters of molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars: the height of the one chapiter2 was ofive cubits[≈ 2.3 m · 7 ft 6 in], and the height of the other chapiter was five cubits[≈ 2.3 m · 7 ft 6 in]:
2 The part commonly called the capital, differing in modern architecture in height and form, according to the orders derived from the ancients, or the varieties occasionally adopted by modern architects.—C.
o 2 Ki.25.17. These pillars might denote Christ, his prophets, and apostles, as ornamental and supporting pillars in the church.
17 And nets of checker-work, and wreaths of chain-work, for the chapiters which were upon the top of the pillars; seven for the one chapiter, and seven for the other chapiter.
18 And he made the pillars, and two rows round about upon the one net-work, to cover the chapiters that were upon the top with pomegranates: and so did he for the other chapiter.3
3 The words 'pillars' and 'pomegranates,' as appears from some ancient manuscripts, have been transposed in this verse. It may be rendered as follows: 'And he made the pomegranates, even two rows all round upon one network, to cover the chapiters which were upon the top of the pillars; and so did he for the other chapiter.'—P.
19 And the chapiters that were upon the top of the pillars were of lily-work4 in the porch, four cubits[≈ 1.8 m · 6 ft].
20 And the chapiters upon the two pillars had pomegranates also above, over against the belly which was by the net-work: and the pomegranates were ptwo hundred, in rows round about upon the other chapiter.
p Je.52.22,23. 2 Ch.3.16; 4.13. 2 Ki.25.17.
21 Andq he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple: and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof rJachin:5 and he set up the left pillar, and called the name thereof sBoaz.
q 2 Ch.3.17. Re.3.12. Ca.3.10. Ga.2.9.
r That is, He shall establish, Is.9.7. 2 Sa.7.12.
5 We are not told that these pillars bore any part of the building. Taken together, and according to the best interpreters, their names form a prophecy—'It shall stand in strength.' Are they not the emblems of these conquering believers (1 Jn. 5. 4) addressed by our Lord (Re. 3. 12), who do not bear up the house by their own strength, but are borne themselves by Christ the only foundation and strength? Ps.75.3. 1 Co.3.11.—C.
A.M. 3000. B.C. 1004.
s That is, In it is strength, Mat.16.18. Ze.10.12. Is.45.24.
22 And upon the top of the pillars was lily-work: so was the work of the pillars finished.
23 And he made a tmolten sea,6 ten cubits[≈ 4.6 m · 15 ft] from the one brim to the other: it was round all about, and his height was five cubits[≈ 2.3 m · 7 ft 6 in]: and a line of thirty cubits[≈ 14 m · 45 ft]7 did compass it round about.
t 2 Ch.4.2. Je.52.17. Ex.30.19,20. Zec.13.1. 1 Jn.1.7.
6 The Hebrews called any large collection of water a sea—as the Sea of Tiberias, which was a mere fresh-water lake. This vessel was called a sea, from its size, being computed to contain about 16,000 gallons.—C.
7 64¾ feet.
24 And under the brim of it round about there were knops compassing it, ten in a cubit[≈ 46 cm · 1 ft 6 in], ucompassing the sea round about: the knops were cast in two rows, when it was cast.
u 2 Ch.4.3.
25 Itx stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea was set above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward.
x 2 Ch.4.3,4. Je.52.20. Ac.9.15. Re.21.14. These were figures of the twelve apostles preaching Christ.
26 And it was an yhandbreadth[≈ 7.6 cm · 3 in] thick, and the brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies: it contained two thousand baths[≈ 44,000 litres · 1,200 bushels].8
y 2 Ch.4.5. Je.52.21. 1 Jn.1.7. It had ordinarily but 2000 in it; but would hold 3000 when quite filled; or it and its undersetters held 3000, 2 Ch. 4. 5, i.e. 15,140 corn, or 22,210 English wine gallons.
8 This may easily be reconciled with the 3000 baths stated as its contents, 2 Ch. 4.5, for here it is said to have contained 2000 baths, the actual quantity put in for use; in Ch. it is said to have received and held 3000 baths, that is, when filled to the brim. The one estimation is by the actual contents, the other by absolute capacity.—C.
27 And he made ten bases of brass: four cubits[≈ 1.8 m · 6 ft] was the length of one base, and four cubits[≈ 1.8 m · 6 ft] the breadth thereof, and three cubits[≈ 1.4 m · 4 ft 6 in] the height of it.
28 And the work of the bases was on this manner: they had zborders, and the borders were between the ledges:
z Heb. shootings, ver.29,36.
29 And on the borders that were between the ledges awere lions, oxen, and cherubims: and upon the ledges there was a base above: and beneath the lions and oxen were certain additions made of thin work.
30 And every base had four brazen wheels, and plates of brass: and the four corners thereof had undersetters: under the laver were undersetters molten, at the side of every addition.
31 And the mouth of it within the chapiter and above was a cubit[≈ 46 cm · 1 ft 6 in]: but the mouth thereof was round, after the work of the base, a cubit[≈ 46 cm · 1 ft 6 in] and an half: and also upon the mouth of it were gravings with their borders, four-square, not round.9
9 The rabbins conceive that the vessel was round for the two upper cubits of its height, and square below. This seems to have been devised for the purpose of giving a greater capacity to the sea, and also is somewhat sanctioned by the statement that the twelve oxen faced by threes the cardinal points of the compass. Josephus says that the vessel was hemispherical, its bottom resting on a pillar a cubit in diameter, and on the hinder parts of the twelve oxen. The present text says (ver. 26) that it contained 2000 baths, which is about 16,000 gallons; but in 2 Ch.4.5, which is followed by Josephus, 3000 is the number given. Some suppose one of these texts corrupted; while others endeavour to account for the discrepancy by a difference of measures, or by relative explanations. Calmet concludes that the cup held 2000, and the base or foot 1000 more.—Kitto.
32 And under the borders were four wheels; and the axle-trees of the wheels were joined to the base:1 and the height of a wheel was a cubit[≈ 46 cm · 1 ft 6 in] and half a cubit[≈ 23 cm · 9 in].
1 Heb. in the base. These wheels represented the gospel ministrations, as unfixed, accessible to any comer, and bringing Christ near to men.
33 And the work of the wheels was like the work of a chariot-wheel: their axle-trees, and their naves, and their felloes, and their spokes, were all molten.
34 And there were four undersetters to the four corners of one base: and the undersetters were of the very base itself.2
A.M. 3000. B.C. 1004.
2 The wheels being intended for motion, the undersetters seem to have been intended for rest, so that when the laver was brought to its proper place the weight might not rest altogether upon the axle. If shorter than the wheels they could have been of no use in bearing up the weight. But if equal, 'and of the very base itself,' how could the wheels move? The whole is evidently the emblem of motion and stability—apparent contradictions, yet reconciled by Solomon. On the smooth floor of the temple the wheel must revolve, the undersetter slide—they must move, yet be steadfast.—C.
35 And in the top of the base was there a round compass of a half cubit high: and on the top of the base the ledges thereof and the borders thereof were of the same.
36 For on the plates of the ledges3 thereof, and on the borders thereof, he graved bcherubims, lions, and palm-trees, according to the proportion4 of every one, and additions round about.
37 After this manner he made the ten bases: all of them had one casting, one measure, and one size.
38 Then made he ten clavers of brass: one laver contained forty baths[≈ 880 litres · 24 bushels];5 and every laver was four cubits[≈ 1.8 m · 6 ft]: and upon every one of the ten bases one laver.
c 2 Ch.4.6. Ex.30.17-21. 1 Jn.1.7. Tit.3.5.
5 302 wine gallons.
39 And he put five bases on the right side6 of the house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea on the right side of the house eastward, over against the south.
6 Heb. shoulder.
40 And dHiram made the lavers,7 and the shovels, and the basons. So Hiram made an end of doing all the work that he made king Solomon for the house of the LORD:
d Heb. Hirem, ver.13. 2 Ch.4.8,11-18. Je.52.17-23.
7 Not the ten lavers mentioned ver. 38, but the same with the pots, ver. 45, and are so called 2 Ch. 4. 11, the use of which was to hold and carry away the ashes of the altar.—C.
41 The etwo pillars, and the two bowls of the chapiters that were on the top of the two pillars; and the two net-works to cover the two bowls of the chapiters which were upon the top of the pillars;
e ver.15-22. 2 Ch.4.12.
42 And four hundred pomegranates for the two net-works, even two rows of pomegranates for one net-work, to cover the two bowls of the chapiters that were upon the pillars;8
8 Heb. upon the face of the pillars.
43 And the ften bases, and ten lavers on the bases;
f ver.27-39. 2 Ch.4.14,15.
45 And the hpots, and the shovels, and the basons: and all these vessels, which Hiram made to king Solomon for the house of the LORD, were of bright9 brass.
h Ex.27.3. Le.2.7; 8.31. 1 Sa.2.13. 2 Ch.4.16,17.
9 Heb. made bright or scoured.
46 In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, iin the clay-ground1 between Succoth and Zarthan.
i Heb. in the thickness of the ground, 2 Ch.4.17. Ge.33.17. Jos.13.27; 3.16. ch.4.12.
1 The clay was not used in the ordinary sense of moulds for the castings, such moulds being made of a species of fine sand, rendered adhesive by pressure. But such moulds can be formed only when there are metallic or wooden models. The clay in this case was used, as in bronze castings, to form first the model of the interior of the vessel or figure, then to be covered by a layer of wax, of the proper thickness, and finished in form of the exterior. This being again covered with clay, the clay being dried, the wax is melted, thus leaving between the two surfaces a perfect mould for the vessel or figure required. In ruder castings of this description the wax is not required, but the internal and external moulds formed separately, and placed the one over the other. But in such a work as that of Hiram, with so many complicated figures, the clay and wax most probably were used as described.—C.
47 And Solomon left all the vessels unweighed, kbecause they were exceeding many:2 neither was the weight of the brass found3 out.4
k Heb. for the exceeding multitude, 1 Ch.22.12.
2 The emblem of that glorious company of the vessels of mercy prepared unto glory, which no man could number, Ro.9.23. Re.7.9.—C.
3 Heb. searched.
4 Christ came not to judge and condemn, but to save. But he will come, and every soul shall be judged as if weighed in the balance of the sanctuary.—C.
48 And Solomon lmade all the vessels that pertained unto the house of the LORD: the altar of gold, and the table of gold, whereupon the show-bread was;
l 2 Ch.4.19-22. Ex.7.10,11,26. Le.24.6.
49 And the mcandlesticks of pure gold, five on the right side, and five on the left, before the oracle, with the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, of gold;
A.M. 3000. B.C. 1004.
m Ex.35.27-31; 37.17.
50 And the bowls, and the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers,5 of pure gold; and the hinges of gold, both for the doors of the inner-house, the most holy place, and for the doors of the house, to wit, of the temple.
5 Heb. ash-pans.
51 So was ended all the nwork that king Solomon made for the house of the LORD.6 And Solomon brought in the things7 which oDavid his father had dedicated: even the silver, and the gold, and the vessels, did he put among the treasures of the house of the LORD.
Notes
[Ver. 8. Like unto this porch. It is difficult, perhaps impossible, for those accustomed to European ideas of architecture to form any very accurate conception of Solomon's building. According to the still subsisting arrangements of eastern palaces, it seems to have consisted of three principal departments: a court of justice, with the necessary public offices, ver. 7; a court for Solomon and his male attendants, including officers of state and servants, ver. 8; and a court for Pharaoh's daughter and her ladies and servants. The whole is an emblem of the church, the true Solomon's house, with its 'thrones of judgment' for the consciences of men, and its residence for the Gentiles whom he has espoused. C.]
Ver. 12. [In speaking of the 'courts' and 'foundations' it would appear that the substructions of the temple courts are specially meant. The summit of Mount Moriah in its natural state was barely sufficient for the temple itself and the great altar. The steepness of the mountain side would have prevented the great body of the people from seeing the sacrifices or joining in the daily worship. To remedy this Solomon planned and commenced a work of gigantic magnitude and boldness of design. He erected massive walls round the hill, filling up the space inclosed partly with earth and partly with enormous piers and arches. The south-east angle of the rampart, impending over the Kidron, has still an elevation of 133 feet, and the lower part is built of stones measuring from 10 to 30 feet in length; each course being 5 feet high. The south-western angle is no less than 190 feet high; and one of its stones which I measured, and which is placed 110 feet above the foundation, is 34 feet long, and weighs above 100 tons. P.]
Reflections.—Great men may lodge and live in a manner becoming their station. But great builders had need to beware of neglecting to build up their own souls in their most holy faith, and of forgetting the building not made with hands, the house eternal in the heavens. If therefore we wish to be honoured let our great and earliest care be to honour God. It is an agreeable thing to have instruments employed in the church who are at once active, honest, and faithful. But great is our mercy, that instead of these material utensils we have the blessed Jesus as our pillar of stability and strength. We have him as the great propitiation—and full of grace and truth—to be our sea, our laver, for washing our hearts and hands in our approaches to, and dealings with, God.—We have him to be our altar of incense, our light, and our true bread, which cometh down from heaven.
Measures in square brackets are modern equivalents added for this edition. They are not in the King James text or in Brown’s notes. They use common scholarly estimates: a cubit is about 45.7 cm (18 in), a shekel about 11.4 g (0.4 oz), an ephah about 22 litres. Money values give the worth of the silver or gold at spot prices on 28 October 2026, not what the sum would buy in the ancient world.