1Ki 7 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Kgs 7:1-12: 7:1-12 Before describing the Temple’s furnishings, the writer mentions the construction of Solomon’s palace complex. The multiple buildings within this complex took nearly twice as long to build ( thirteen years ) as the Temple ( seven years , 6:38 ). The entire building project took twenty years (9:10 ). Although construction details are brief, archaeological discovery of two of Solomon’s buildings provides an idea of how this palace might have looked. Despite its grandeur, Solomon’s palace is not the author’s focus; his interest is in the Temple, God’s dwelling place.

Summary for 1Kgs 7:1-12: 7:1-12 ^a Before describing the Temple’s furnishings, the writer mentions the construction of Solomon’s palace complex. The multiple buildings within this complex took nearly twice as long to build (thirteen years) as the Temple (seven years, 6:38 ^b). The entire building project took twenty years (9:10 ^c). Although construction details are brief, archaeological discovery of two of Solomon’s buildings provides an idea of how this palace might have looked. Despite its grandeur, Solomon’s palace is not the author’s focus; his interest is in the Temple, God’s dwelling place.
Summary for 1Kgs 7:2-5: 7:2-5 ^d The Palace of the Forest of Lebanon was named for the abundant use of cedar in its construction. It would house 300 gold shields (10:16-17 ^e) and possibly served as both treasury and armory (see 12:25-28 ^f; Isa 22:8 ^g). The Egyptian pharaoh Shishak later carried away the shields as booty (1 Kgs 14:27 ^h).
Summary for 1Kgs 7:6-8: 7:6-8 ⁱ The Hall of Pillars was apparently a colonnaded entry to the Hall of Justice, where Solomon sat to hear legal matters (see also 10:18-20 ^j). Similar throne rooms have been found in Syria and Mesopotamia.

• Solomon erected separate living quarters for Pharaoh’s daughter (see 3:1 ^k; 9:24 ^l; 2 Chr 8:11 ^m).
Summary for 1Kgs 7:9-11: 7:9-11 ⁿ As with the Temple, the stones for Solomon’s palace complex were high-quality stone, cut ... and trimmed to exact specifications. Similar stonework has been found at Megiddo. Cedar beams between the courses of the wall provided better protection against earthquakes.
7:12 ^o The great courtyard that encircled the Temple and palace complex provided a gathering place for the people (see Jer 7:1-2 ^p; 36:10 ^q).
Summary for 1Kgs 7:13-14: 7:13-14 ^r Huram: Like his father, he was a master craftsman in bronze and other materials (2 Chr 2:12-14 ^s). His skillful metal work is detailed in the following verses (1 Kgs 7:15-50 ^t).

• skillful and talented (literally filled with wisdom and understanding and knowledge): The Israelites placed great emphasis on practical skills and considered them a form of wisdom (Prov 22:29 ^u).
Summary for 1Kgs 7:15-22: 7:15-22 ^v The two bronze pillars were probably free-standing since the narrator describes them here rather than in the earlier discussion of the Temple structure (6:3-6 ^w).
Summary for 1Kgs 7:23-26: 7:23-26 ^x The giant bronze basin called the Sea replaced the smaller bronze washbasin used in the Tabernacle service (see Exod 30:17-21 ^y). The Sea was cast as one solid piece, excluding the twelve bronze oxen on which it sat. The oxen were placed so that three faced each direction, perhaps to remind priests that they served God on behalf of all twelve tribes of Israel. Ahaz later replaced the oxen with a stone base (2 Kgs 16:17 ^z). The priests used the Sea, like the bronze washbasin before it, for ceremonial washing (2 Chr 4:6 ^aa) as they prepared to minister before God (see Exod 30:17-21 ^ab). The apparent discrepancy in the volume of water it could hold (see 2 Chr 4:5 ^ac) is probably due to standards of measurement that varied according to place and time.
Summary for 1Kgs 7:27-39: 7:27-39 ^ad The ten bronze water carts each held a basin for rinsing burnt offerings (2 Chr 4:6 ^ae). Five stood on either side of the Temple. Because they had wheels, they could be moved as needed.
Summary for 1Kgs 7:40-45: 7:40-45 ^af Huram had great skill in casting items of varying size and complexity. He also made the bronze altar for the inner court that was used for burnt offerings (2 Chr 4:1 ^ag).
Summary for 1Kgs 7:46-47: 7:46-47 ^ah between Succoth and Zarethan: This area east of the Jordan River (see Josh 3:16 ^ai; Judg 8:4-5 ^aj) was known for metallurgy. Abundant clay for molds, wood for fuel, and a prevailing north wind facilitated the casting process.
Summary for 1Kgs 7:48-49: 7:48-49 ^ak The gold altar replaced the altar for burning incense used in the Tabernacle (Exod 30:1-10 ^al). The one table and one lampstand used in the Tabernacle (Exod 25:23-40 ^am) were replaced by ten such sets in the Temple. Although the author lists a single gold table for the Bread of the Presence, the Chronicler reports ten tables, five on each side of the Temple’s main room (cp. 2 Chr 4:8 ^an), along with ten lampstands of solid gold. The bread represented God’s provision for his people, and the lampstand characterized God as the source of life and truth. Both symbols pointed to Christ, the bread of life (John 6:35 ^ao) and the light of the world (John 8:12 ^ap).
Summary for 1Kgs 7:50-51: 7:50-51 ^aq The writer emphasizes Solomon’s abundant use of gold in furnishing the Temple. David and the people had collected an enormous amount of gold to be used for the Temple (1 Chr 29:1-9 ^ar), and Solomon also amassed gold annually (1 Kgs 10:14 ^as), so he had a ready supply (see 10:21 ^at).