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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.
The tops of the pillars, that is, their highest part, are the hearts of faithful teachers whose God-centered thoughts guide all their actions and words as the head guides the members of the body. On the other hand, the two capitals that were placed on these pillar tops are the two Testaments, which holy teachers are totally bound both in mind and body to meditate and observe. It is appropriate, then, that both capitals were five cubits high because the Scripture of the Mosaic law comprises five books, and furthermore the entire collection of Old Testament writings embraces the five ages of the world. But the New Testament does not proclaim to us something different from what Moses and the prophets had said should be proclaimed: “If you believed Moses you would believe me, for he wrote of me.” For Moses wrote much about the Lord not only in figure but also quite plainly as when he relates what had been promised to Abraham in the Lord’s words: “In your seed shall the families of the earth bless themselves,” and when in his own words he says to the Israelites, “The Lord will raise up for you among your brothers a prophet like me; him you shall hear according to all things whatsoever he shall speak to you.” Of this prophecy the voice of the Father from heaven reminded the disciples when, as the Lord appeared to them in glory between Moses himself and Elijah on the holy mountain, it rang out, saying, “This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased; listen to him.” Therefore, with the admirable harmony of divine activity, the grace of the New Testament was hidden under the veil of the Old at first, but now the mysteries of the Old Testament are revealed by the light of the New, as if the reason why the capital of each of the two pillars was five cubits high was that it is manifest that the grace of the perfection of the gospel too is innate in the Old Testament whose mysteries are noted beforehand in the five books of the Law or are all comprised more fully in the five ages of the world; and so it happens that each eminent preacher, whether destined to be sent to the Jews or to the Gentiles, fortified with the harmonious testimony of the word of God, keeps the sure and correct rule of faith and conduct free from error, and in the course of his teaching he knows how to draw forth “out of his treasure house new things and old.” Not only do the Testaments harmonize with each other in their account of the divine mysteries, but also all the elect who are written about in the books of these Testaments are endowed with the one faith and are bound to each other by the same charity.
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SUMMARY
1 Kings 7:16 provides a precise architectural detail of Solomon's Temple, describing the creation of the two magnificent bronze capitals, known as "chapiters," designed to crown the monumental pillars at the Temple's entrance. These chapiters, meticulously cast from molten brass, each stood an impressive five cubits high, emphasizing the immense scale, exquisite craftsmanship, and profound reverence invested in every component of the sacred edifice. This verse highlights the advanced metallurgical skills of the era and the deliberate grandeur intended for God's dwelling place, where even decorative elements were fashioned with precision to reflect the majesty of the Lord.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse primarily employs Precise Description and Repetition to convey its message and emphasize key aspects of the Temple's construction. The precise description, detailing "two chapiters," their composition of "molten brass," and the specific dimension of "five cubits," provides a vivid and concrete image of these architectural elements. This meticulous enumeration is characteristic of the Temple construction narrative throughout 1 Kings 6-7, underscoring the exact adherence to the divine design and the substantial resources invested. The repetition of "the height of the one chapiter [was] five cubits, and the height of the other chapiter [was] five cubits" serves to underscore the identical nature and impressive scale of these two capitals, reinforcing their symmetry and monumental presence at the Temple's entrance. This literary technique not only provides clarity and a sense of exactitude but also subtly highlights the perfection, balance, and divine order intended for God's dwelling place.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 7:16, while seemingly a technical architectural detail, contributes significantly to the broader theological narrative of God's presence among His people. The meticulous craftsmanship and the sheer scale of these decorative elements underscore the theological principle that God is worthy of the absolute best, and that His dwelling place should reflect His matchless glory. The Temple was not merely a building; it was the designated earthly dwelling place for the Name of the Lord, a tangible symbol of the covenant relationship between God and Israel. The beauty and grandeur of its components, including these massive bronze chapiters, were designed to evoke awe and reverence, impressing upon the worshiper the majesty and holiness of the God who chose to dwell in their midst. This attention to detail reflects the divine blueprint for sacred spaces, where every element contributes to an environment conducive to worship and the experience of God's glory, ultimately pointing to the supreme worthiness of the One being worshipped.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The detailed account of the Temple's construction, even down to the dimensions of its decorative elements like the chapiters, serves as a powerful reminder that our service and worship of God should be marked by excellence, not mere adequacy. Just as Solomon and Hiram invested their finest resources, skills, and unwavering attention to detail in creating a physical dwelling for God's presence, so too are we called to offer our very best—our talents, time, and resources—in our spiritual lives and service. This isn't about earning God's favor, for His grace is freely given, but about expressing our profound reverence, deep love, and boundless gratitude for Him. The beauty and grandeur of the Temple were meant to inspire awe and point to the glory of God; similarly, our lives, lived in holiness, integrity, and dedicated service, should reflect the beauty and character of Christ to a watching world, drawing others to Him. This verse challenges us to consider: are we giving God our "molten brass"—our most refined, costly, and meticulously prepared offerings—or merely what is convenient, leftover, or minimally acceptable?
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why are the dimensions of the chapiters repeated in the verse?
Answer: The repetition of "the height of the one chapiter [was] five cubits, and the height of the other chapiter [was] five cubits" is a deliberate literary device employed to emphasize the identical nature and monumental scale of these two significant architectural elements. It underscores their perfect symmetry and the deliberate precision involved in their creation by Hiram. This repetition ensures that the reader fully grasps the exact specifications and the impressive, uniform grandeur of the pillars, which were critical features at the Temple's entrance, as further described when they are named Jachin and Boaz in 1 Kings 7:21. Ultimately, it highlights the meticulous attention to detail that characterized the entire Temple construction, reflecting the divine standard for God's dwelling place.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Kings 7:16 describes a physical component of a literal temple, its ultimate fulfillment and deeper meaning are profoundly found in Christ. The Old Testament Temple, with all its magnificent details, precise dimensions, and intricate furnishings, served as a shadow and a type, pointing forward to the greater reality of God's dwelling among humanity. Jesus Himself declared, "Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up," referring to the temple of His body. Christ is the true and ultimate Temple, the perfect dwelling place of God, in whom "all the fullness of God was pleased to dwell" (Colossians 1:19). The grandeur and intricate beauty of the Temple's chapiters, designed to prepare the worshiper for an encounter with God's presence, find their spiritual and ultimate counterpart in the glory of Christ, who is the "radiance of the glory of God and the exact imprint of his nature" (Hebrews 1:3). Furthermore, through Christ's redemptive work, believers are incorporated into a spiritual temple, becoming "living stones... being built up as a spiritual house" (1 Peter 2:5), where God's Spirit now dwells (Ephesians 2:21-22). Thus, the physical magnificence of Solomon's Temple, including its ornate chapiters, foreshadows the infinitely greater glory of Christ and His Church, the ultimate dwelling place of God among His people, culminating in the New Jerusalem where God's presence is direct and unmediated, for "the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple" (Revelation 21:22).