1 Kings 7 Study Notes

7:13-14 For a devout follower of the Lord, importing the Phoenician craftsman named Hiram (not to be confused with King Hiram) was more acceptable since his mother was Hebrew. Importing Phoenician artists was a regular practice in the ancient world.

7:15-22 The pillars were 27 feet high, with capitals over 7 feet high, for a total of more than 34 feet. Latticework and ovoid art covered the structure of the capitals and their ornaments. The shape of the capitals, both for these pillars and for the pillars of the portico, was like an open lily blossom. Some have given these pillars a cosmic significance by translating their names as “he established/will establish/establishes [from Jachin] in strength [from Boaz].” This could be more significant if one analyzes the Lord’s house itself as a cosmic symbol of the universe, as some have done (John H. Walton, The Lost World of Genesis One). On the other hand, the “pillar” mentioned in 2Kg 11:14 and 23:3 could indicate that the Davidic dynasty, rather than the Lord’s house or universe, was established in strength.

7:23-26 A huge bronze vessel, containing about eleven thousand gallons, served as the main basin for water used for cleansing. Second Ch 4:6 indicates that this larger reservoir was allotted to priestly cleansing, which might imply that the bronze water carts (1Kg 7:27) were allotted to the Levites. We are not sure what shape the ornamental gourds represented since gourds come in many shapes. Since a cylindrical shape, in contrast to a conical shape, is needed for the stated capacity of the reservoir, the description, fashioned like . . . a lily blossom, could refer to only the rim of the reservoir.

7:27-29 The following is one possible understanding of the structure of the bronze water carts: They were essentially boxes on wheels for mobility. Each of the four sides had two square panels (frames) with carvings. There were carved cross-pieces both above and below the panels/frames. Above the top crosspieces were attached supports (pedestal), presumably for the basin.

7:30 There were axles with two wheels under each end of each cart.

7:31-37 The simplest understanding of v. 31 is that it describes an internal circular structure that, together with the pedestals and the four corner supports, supported a bronze basin (v. 38) and held it in place. Real chariot wheels were made of wood.

7:38 Then the bronze basins were set into the water carts. If their shape were more like a cylinder, a depth of slightly more than one foot would give a capacity of roughly 220 gallons. A more conical lily shape would demand a greater depth, possibly as much as three feet. Either could still fit into the cart with the water level about four and one-half feet above the ground.

7:39 The right side in descriptions of the Lord’s temple use is to the south, as if one is standing in the door looking out to the east.

7:40-46 These were generally the new items that had to be made anew for a new context.

7:47 Since bronze was a valuable commodity, it is an indication of Solomon’s wealth that he did not have to keep track of the amount of bronze used.

7:48-51 When these implements were moved into the Lord’s temple, the operation was finished.