1 Kings 7

CHAPTER 7

Solomon Builds His Palace (7:1–12)

1–12 In this section, the writer describes the building of Solomon’s palace. He took thirteen years to build it, almost twice the time he took to build the temple (1 Kings 6:38). However, the palace complex was at least twice as large as the temple and consisted of at least three buildings: first, Solomon’s main palace, the Palace of the Forest of Lebanon, so named because of all the cedar columns around it (verse 2); second, the throne hall, called the Hall of Justice (verse 7); and third, the palace. . . for Pharaoh’s daughter (verse 8), the daughter he had married earlier (1 Kings 3:1). So it is not unreasonable that the palace complex took longer to build.

Furthermore, Solomon did build God’s temple before he built his own palace; he had put God’s interests before his own. David, on the other hand, had built his own palace first, and was later distressed that he was living in a palace while the ark of God remained in a tent (2 Samuel 7:2).

The Temple’s Furnishings (7:13–51)

(2 Chronicles 4:1–22)

13–22 Prior to completing the temple and before building his palace, Solomon hired a skilled craftsman, Huram,to make all the bronze furnishings for the temple (verses 13–14). The first project Huram undertook was the casting of two bronze pillars³³ (verses 15–22).

23–26 The next item to be made (omitted here in 1 Kings) was the bronze altar (2 Chronicles 4:1). This corresponded to the “altar of burnt offering” in the original tabernacle (see Exodus 27:1–8 and comment). As in the tabernacle, this altar was the first major object one encountered upon entering the temple. It demonstrated the spiritual truth that God can only be approached through an atoning sacrifice—in the Old Testament through the sacrifice of animals, and in the New Testament through the once-for-all sacrifice of Jesus Christ (see Hebrews 10:1–14).

The next item was the Sea of cast metal (verses 23–26), a huge basin measuring five meters in diameter. This corresponded to the much smaller “basin for washing” in the original tabernacle (Exodus 30:1721). The basin was used by the priests to ceremonially wash themselves. This washing demonstrated the spiritual truth that only those who are cleansed from sin can approach God and be accepted by Him (1 Corinthians 6:11; Titus 3:5; Hebrews 10:22).

27–40 Huram next made ten movable stands (verses 27–37) and ten bronze basins to fit inside the stands (verses 38–39). These basins were used to wash various parts of the sacrificed animals (2 Chronicles 4:6).

41–47 In these verses the writer lists all the bronze furnishings that Huram made for the temple.

48–50 In these final verses, the writer lists the golden furnishings of the temple. They included the golden altar (verse 48)—that is, the “altar of incense” (Exodus 30:1–10)—and the golden table, on which was placed the bread of the Presence (Exodus 25:23–30). In Solomon’s temple there were actually ten golden tables (2 Chronicles 4:8) taking the place of the single table in the original tabernacle. The bread of the Presence,” set out fresh each Sabbath, symbolized continued communion and fellowship with God—life in His presence.

In verse 49, ten golden lampstands are mentioned; these took the place of the single lampstand in the original tabernacle (Exodus 25:31–40). The lampstands represented God’s glory.

51 Here the writer mentions the things . . . David had dedicated and which Solomon placed in the treasuries of the temple. These “things"—the silver and gold and the furnishings—were valuable articles that David had obtained as plunder in battle or as tribute from neighboring kings seeking his favor. All these items David had “dedicated"—handed over—to the Lord. These items were in addition to the things David had already provided for the temple (see 1 Chronicles 29:1–5). David joyfully thanked God for the privilege of contributing to His work (see 1 Chronicles 29:10–20) and he inspired others to do likewise. In this, David has provided for us an example of godly giving and godly leadership.