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Commentary on 1 Kings 7 verses 13–47
We have here an account of the brass-work about the temple. There was no iron about the temple, though we find David preparing for the temple iron for things of iron, Ch1 29:2. What those things were we are not told, but some of the things of brass are here described and the rest mentioned.
I. The brasier whom Solomon employed to preside in this part of the work was Hiram, or Huram (Ch2 4:11), who was by his mother's side an Israelite, of the tribe of Naphtali, by his father's side a man of Tyre, Kg1 7:14. If he had the ingenuity of a Tyrian, and the affection of an Israelite to the house of God (the head of a Tyrian and the heart of an Israelite), it was happy that the blood of the two nations mixed in him, for thereby he was qualified for the work to which he was designed. As the tabernacle was built with the wealth of Egypt, so the temple with the wit of Tyre. God will serve himself by the common gifts of the children of men.
II. The brass he made use of was the best he could get. All the brazen vessels were of bright brass (Kg1 7:45), good brass, so the Chaldee, that which was strongest and looked finest. God, who is the best, must be served and honoured with the best.
III. The place where all the brazen vessels were cast was the plain of Jordan, because the ground there was stiff and clayey, fit to make moulds of for the casting of the brass (Kg1 7:46), and Solomon would not have this dirty smoky work done in or near Jerusalem.
IV. The quantity was not accounted for. The vessels were unnumbered (so it may be read, Kg1 7:47, as well as unweighed), because they were exceedingly numerous, and it would have been an endless thing to keep the account of them; neither was the weight of the brass, when it was delivered to the workmen, searched or enquired into; so honest were the workmen, and such great plenty of brass they had, that there was no danger of wanting. We must ascribe it to Solomon's care that he provided so much, not to his carelessness that he kept no account of it.
V. Some particulars of the brass-work are described.
1.Two brazen pillars, which were set up in the porch of the temple (Kg1 7:21), whether under the cover of the porch or in the open air is not certain; it was between the temple and the court of the priests. These pillars were neither to hang gates upon nor to rest any building upon, but purely for ornament and significancy. (1.) What an ornament they were we may gather from the account here given of the curious work that was about them, chequer-work, chain-work, net-work, lily-work, and pomegranates in rows, and all of bright brass, and framed no doubt according to the best rules of proportion, to please the eye. (2.) Their significancy is intimated in the names given them (Kg1 7:21): Jachin - he will establish; and Boaz - in him is strength. Some think they were intended for memorials of the pillar of cloud and fire which led Israel through the wilderness: I rather think them designed for memorandums to the priests and others that came to worship at God's door, [1.] To depend upon God only, and not upon any sufficiency of their own, for strength and establishment in all their religious exercises. When we come to wait upon God, and find our hearts wandering and unfixed, then by faith let us fetch in help from heaven: Jachin - God will fix this roving mind. It is a good thing that the heart be established with grace. We find ourselves weak and unable for holy duties, but this is our encouragement: Boaz - in him is our strength, who works in us both to will and to do. I will go in the strength of the Lord God. Spiritual strength and stability are to be had at the door of God's temple, where we must wait for the gifts of grace in the use of the means of grace. [2.] It was a memorandum to them of the strength and establishment of the temple of God among them. Let them keep close to God and duty, and they should never lose their dignities and privileges, but the grant should be confirmed and perpetuated to them. The gospel church is what God will establish, what he will strengthen, and what the gates of hell can never prevail against. But, with respect to this temple, when it was destroyed particular notice was taken of the destroying of these pillars (Kg2 25:13, Kg2 25:17), which had been the tokens of its establishment, and would have been so if they had not forsaken God.
2.A brazen sea, a very large vessel, above five yards in diameter, and which contained above 500 barrels of water for the priests' use, in washing themselves and the sacrifices, and keeping the courts of the temple clean, Kg1 7:23, etc. It stood raised upon the figures of twelve oxen in brass, so high that either they must have stairs to climb up to it or cocks at the bottom to draw water from it. The Gibeonites, or Nethinim, who were to draw water for the house of God, had the care of filling it. Some think Solomon made the images of oxen to support this great cistern in contempt of the golden calf which Israel had worshipped, that (as bishop Patrick expresses it) the people might see there was nothing worthy of adoration in those figures; they were fitter to make posts of than to make gods of. Yet this prevailed not to prevent Jerusalem's setting up the calves for deities. In the court of the tabernacle there was only a laver of brass provided to wash in, but in the court of the temple a sea of brass, intimating that by the gospel of Christ much fuller preparation is made for our cleansing than was by the law of Moses. That had a laver, this has a sea, a fountain opened, Zac 13:1.
3.Ten bases, or stands, or settles, of brass, on which were put ten lavers, to be filled with water for the service of the temple, because there would not be room at the molten sea for all that had occasion to wash there. The bases on which the lavers were fixed are very largely described here, Kg1 7:27, etc. They were curiously adorned and set upon wheels, that the lavers might be removed as there was occasion; but ordinarily they stood in two rows, five on one side of the court and five on the other, Kg1 7:39. Each laver contained forty baths, that is, about ten barrels, Kg1 7:38. Those must be very clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. Spiritual priests and spiritual sacrifices must be washed in the laver of Christ's blood and of regeneration. We must wash often, for we daily contract pollution, must cleanse our hands and purify our hearts. Plentiful provision is made for our cleansing; so that if we have our lot for ever among the unclean it will be our own fault.
4.Besides these, there was a vast number of brass pots made to boil the flesh of the peace-offerings in, which the priests and offerers were to feast upon before the Lord (see Sa1 2:14); also shovels, wherewith they took out the ashes of the altar. Some think the word signifies flesh-hooks, with which they took meat out of the pot. The basins also were made of brass, to receive the blood of the sacrifices. These are put for all the utensils of the brazen altar, Exo 38:3. While they were about it they made abundance of them, that they might have a good stock by them when those that were first in use wore out and went to decay. Thus Solomon, having wherewithal to do so, provided for posterity.
And this was done on account of the mystery. For the Tyrian craftsman whom Solomon employed to help in his work stands for the ministers of the word chosen from the Gentiles. The allusion to this man as a craftsman is a beautiful touch because he was the son of a widow of Israel, a person who is sometimes wont to be taken as prefiguring the church of the present day from whom her husband, namely, Christ, after having tasted death, rose and ascended into heaven, leaving her meanwhile to sojourn on the earth. However, there is no need to labor the explanation of how the sons of this widow are preachers since all the elect individually profess themselves children of the church. Also since in regard to these preachers of the New Testament a special promise is made in the words of the prophet: “Instead of your fathers, sons are born to you; you shall make them princes over all the earth.” Now Hiram did all Solomon’s work, that is to say, because the holy teachers, while they devote themselves faithfully to the ministry of the word, do indeed do the work of God, since by speaking outwardly they open the way of truth to those whom he himself has predestined to eternal life by enlightening them inwardly. “I,” he says, “planted, Apollo watered; but God gave the increase.” Moreover, he made the work of bronze because the energetic teacher seeks to entrust the word to those who … desire to receive it with reverence and keep it to the end, and who also by preaching to others do their utmost to spread more widely whatever right doctrine they have learned themselves; for it is common knowledge that bronze is a metal which is very durable and produces all kinds of sounds.
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SUMMARY
1 Kings 7:13 marks a pivotal moment in the construction of Solomon's Temple and his royal palace, signifying a transition from foundational building to the intricate interior and decorative elements. This verse highlights King Solomon's decisive and authoritative action to recruit Hiram of Tyre, a master craftsman renowned for his unparalleled skill in bronze work, underscoring the king's wisdom in seeking specialized expertise to ensure the supreme excellence and divine glory of the sacred dwelling.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several subtle but significant literary devices. Conciseness is evident, as a pivotal moment—the recruitment of the chief artisan—is conveyed in a single, direct sentence, allowing the subsequent verses to elaborate on Hiram's extensive work. There is an element of Anticipation, as the introduction of Hiram immediately foreshadows the detailed descriptions of the magnificent bronze work and other elaborate furnishings that will follow in 1 Kings 7:15-47. The phrase "sent and fetched" also utilizes Royal Command, emphasizing Solomon's authority and the importance of the task, portraying him as a discerning king who knows how to acquire the best resources for God's house. Finally, the mention of "Tyre" serves as a form of Metonymy, where the city stands in for its renowned reputation for superior craftsmanship and artistic excellence, immediately signaling the caliber of the individual being recruited.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The recruitment of Hiram, a master craftsman from Tyre, for the sacred task of adorning God's Temple carries profound theological implications. It illustrates God's sovereignty in orchestrating human events and His willingness to use diverse individuals, even those from outside the covenant community, to accomplish His divine purposes. Just as God endowed Bezalel and Oholiab with divine skill for the Tabernacle (Exodus 31:1-6), He providentially brings Hiram to Solomon, demonstrating that human excellence, when consecrated to God, becomes a vehicle for divine glory. This act underscores that the pursuit of excellence in service to God is not merely an aesthetic preference but a theological imperative, reflecting the majesty and worthiness of the One being worshipped. It also highlights the universal scope of God's redemptive plan, hinting that His dwelling place and His glory are not confined to one nation but have implications for all peoples.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Solomon sending for Hiram offers timeless lessons for believers today. It reminds us that God values skill, talent, and expertise, and that these gifts, whether spiritual or natural, are meant to be cultivated and utilized for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom. Just as Solomon sought the best for the physical Temple, we are called to offer our best—our time, talents, and resources—in service to God and humanity. This verse encourages us to recognize and affirm the diverse gifts within the body of Christ, understanding that the collective work of God's people often requires the collaborative efforts of individuals with unique strengths, each contributing to the greater whole. It challenges us to strive for excellence in all our endeavors, not for personal recognition, but as an act of worship, reflecting the magnitude and majesty of the God we serve. Even in seemingly mundane or logistical details, we can discern God's hand at work, orchestrating circumstances and providing the right people and resources to fulfill His grand purposes.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Was this Hiram the same person as King Hiram of Tyre?
Answer: No, this Hiram, the master craftsman, is a different individual from King Hiram of Tyre. King Hiram was a long-standing ally of King David and later King Solomon, providing timber, gold, and laborers for the Temple and palace construction, as detailed in 1 Kings 5:1-12 and 2 Chronicles 2:3-10. The Hiram introduced in 1 Kings 7:13 is a skilled artisan, specifically mentioned as being "the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in bronze" (1 Kings 7:14). This distinction is crucial for understanding the specific roles each played in the monumental building projects.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Solomon's Temple, and particularly the meticulous effort to secure the finest craftsman like Hiram, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ. While Solomon's Temple was a magnificent physical structure designed to house God's presence, it was always a shadow of a greater reality. Jesus himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring to the temple of his body (John 2:19-21). Christ is the true and ultimate Temple, the perfect dwelling place of God, where God's glory resides in its fullness (Colossians 2:9). The pursuit of excellence in the earthly Temple foreshadows the perfection and unparalleled beauty of Christ's person and work, who is both the cornerstone and the chief builder of the spiritual temple—the Church (Ephesians 2:19-22). Just as Hiram brought diverse skills to complete the physical structure, Christ, through the Holy Spirit, gifts His followers with diverse spiritual gifts to build up the body of believers, making it a living temple where God truly dwells (1 Corinthians 12:4-11; 1 Peter 2:5). Thus, the historical account of Hiram's recruitment points beyond itself to the divine artistry of Christ, who perfectly builds His Church and is the ultimate manifestation of God's presence among humanity.