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Commentary on 2 Chronicles 4 verses 1–10
David often speaks with much affection both of the house of the Lord and of the courts of our God. Both without doors and within there was that which typified the grace of the gospel and shadowed out good things to come, of which the substance is Christ.
I. There were those things in the open court, in the view of all the people, which were very significant.
1.There was the brazen altar, Ch2 4:1. The making of this was not mentioned in the Kings. On this all the sacrifices were offered, and it sanctified the gift. This altar was much larger than that which Moses made in the tabernacle; that was five cubits square, this was twenty cubits square. Now that Israel had become both numerous and more rich, and it was to be hoped more devout (for every age should aim to be wiser and better than that which went before it), it was expected that there would be a greater abundance of offerings brought to God's altar than had been. It was therefore made such a capacious scaffold that it might hold them all, and none might excuse themselves from bringing those temptations of their devotion by alleging that there was not room to receive them. God had greatly enlarged their borders; it was therefore fit that they should enlarge his altars. Our returns should bear some proportion to our receivings. It was ten cubits high, so that the people who worshipped in the courts might see the sacrifice burnt, and their eye might affect their heart with sorrow for sin: "It is of the Lord's mercies that I am not thus consumed, and that this is accepted as an expiation of my guilt." They might thus be led to consider the great sacrifice which should be offered in the fulness of time to take away sin and abolish death, which the blood of bulls and goats could not possibly do. And with the smoke of the sacrifices their hearts might ascend to heaven in holy desires towards God and his favour. In all our devotions we must keep the eye of faith fixed upon Christ, the great propitiation. How they went up to this altar, and carried the sacrifices up to it, we are not told; some think by a plain ascent like a hill: if by steps, doubtless they were so contrived as that the end of the law (mentioned Exo 20:26) might be answered.
2.There was the molten sea, a very large brass pan, in which they put water for the priests to wash in, Ch2 4:2, Ch2 4:6. It was put just at the entrance into the court of the priests, like the font at the church door. If it were filled to the brim, it would hold 3000 baths (as here, Ch2 4:5), but ordinarily there were only 2000 baths in it, Kg1 7:26. The Holy Ghost by this signified, (1.) Our great gospel privilege, that the blood of Christ cleanseth from all sin, Jo1 1:7. To us there is a fountain opened for all believers (who are spiritual priests, Rev 1:5, Rev 1:6), nay, for all the inhabitants of Jerusalem to wash in, from sin, which is uncleanness. There is a fulness of merit in Jesus Christ for all those that by faith apply to him for the purifying of their consciences, that they might serve the living God, Heb 9:14. (2.) Our great gospel duty, which is to cleanse ourselves by true repentance from all the pollutions of the flesh and the corruption that is in the world. Our hearts must be sanctified, or we cannot sanctify the name of God. Those that draw nigh to God must cleanse their hands, and purify their hearts, Jam 4:8. If I was thee not, thou hast no part with me; and he that is washed still needs to wash his feet, to renew his repentance, whenever he goes in to minister, Joh 13:10.
3.There were ten lavers of brass, in which they washed such things as they offered for the burnt-offerings, Ch2 4:6. As the priests must be washed, so must the sacrifices. We must not only purify ourselves in preparation for our religious performances, but carefully put away all those vain thoughts and corrupt aims which cleave to our performances themselves and pollute them.
4.The doors of the court were overlaid with brass (Ch2 4:9), both for strength and beauty, and that they might not be rotted with the weather, to which they were exposed. Gates of brass we read of, Psa 107:16.
II. There were those things in the house of the Lord (into which the priests alone went to minister) that were very significant. All was gold there. The nearer we come to God the purer we must be, the purer we shall be. 1. There were ten golden candlesticks, according to the form of that one which was in the tabernacle, Ch2 4:7. The written word is a lamp and a light, shining in a dark place. In Moses's time they had but one candlestick, the Pentateuch; but the additions which, in process of time, were to be made of other books of scripture might be signified by this increase of the number of the candlesticks. Light was growing. The candlesticks are the churches, Rev 1:20. Moses set up but one, the church of the Jews; but, in the gospel temple, not only believers, but churches, are multiplied. 2. There were ten golden tables (Ch2 4:8), tables whereon the show-bread was set, Ch2 4:19. Perhaps every one of the tables had twelve loaves of show-bread on it. As the house was enlarged, the house-keeping was. In my father's house there is bread enough for the whole family. To those tables belonged 100 golden basins, or dishes; for God's table is well furnished. 3. There was a golden altar (Ch2 4:19), on which they burnt incense. It is probable that this was enlarged in proportion to the brazen altar. Christ, who once for all made atonement for sin, ever lives, making intercession, in virtue of that atonement.
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SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 4:7 offers a precise account of King Solomon's construction and strategic placement of ten magnificent golden lampstands within the Holy Place of the First Temple. These elaborate fixtures, meticulously crafted in adherence to a divinely revealed pattern, served not only to illuminate the sacred space but also powerfully symbolized the abundant presence, radiant glory, and perpetual truth of God dwelling among His people in Jerusalem. This detailed description underscores the unparalleled splendor and divine authorization of Solomon's Temple, reflecting an era of immense prosperity and profound dedication to Yahweh.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices to convey its profound meaning. Symbolism is paramount, with the "candlesticks of gold" symbolizing divine presence, truth, and revelation. The material, "gold," itself symbolizes purity, kingship, and divine glory, elevating the sacred space and the objects within it. The number "ten" can be seen as symbolic of completeness, divine order, or abundance, signifying the overflowing blessings and glory associated with God's established dwelling. The phrase "according to their form" utilizes Allusion to the detailed divine instructions for the Tabernacle menorah found in Exodus 25, linking the new Temple's furnishings directly to God's original blueprint and emphasizing continuity with divine will. Furthermore, the narrative subtly employs Contrast between the single lampstand of the portable Tabernacle and the ten lampstands of the permanent Temple, highlighting the increased glory, permanence, and amplified manifestation of God's dwelling among His people in the Solomonic era. The symmetrical placement "five on the right hand, and five on the left" can also be seen as a form of Merism, indicating comprehensive coverage and balanced order within the sacred space.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The ten golden lampstands in Solomon's Temple served as powerful and multifaceted symbols of God's enduring presence, His illuminating truth, and His unfailing guidance. Their perpetual light within the Holy Place represented the constant illumination provided by God's revelation to His people, a light that was not merely physical but profoundly spiritual, signifying the clarity, wisdom, and insight that flow from walking in God's ways. The multiplication of the lampstands from the single Tabernacle menorah speaks to an amplified revelation and a more expansive manifestation of God's glory, reflecting the stability, prosperity, and established nature of the Solomonic era. The Temple, as the central locus of Israel's worship and the dwelling place of God's Name, was intended to be a radiant beacon of divine truth, and the lampstands stood as a constant, tangible reminder of this sacred calling and the ever-present light of God among His chosen people.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous account of the Temple's lampstands in 2 Chronicles 4:7 offers profound and enduring lessons for contemporary believers. Just as King Solomon spared no expense in crafting these magnificent sources of light from pure gold, we are called to offer our very best in our worship, our service, and our dedication to God. Our commitment should reflect the immense value we place on His holy presence and His life-giving truth in our lives. Furthermore, the lampstands' primary function of continuously illuminating the sacred space serves as a powerful reminder that, as followers of Christ, we are called to be "light in the Lord" (Ephesians 5:8). Our lives, transformed by God's grace and guided by His infallible Word, should shine brightly, dispelling spiritual darkness and illuminating the path for others to perceive God's truth and glory. This involves living with integrity, speaking truth in love, and demonstrating Christ-like compassion, thereby reflecting the divine light that has been kindled within us. We are to be visible testimonies to God's enduring presence and His transforming power in a world often shrouded in spiritual shadows, pointing others to the ultimate source of light.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why did Solomon's Temple have ten lampstands instead of the single one found in the Tabernacle?
Answer: The multiplication of lampstands from one in the Tabernacle to ten in Solomon's Temple signifies several key aspects. Firstly, it reflects the increased glory, immense wealth, and abundant blessings of God's presence during Solomon's reign, a period of unprecedented prosperity for Israel. The Temple itself was a much larger and more permanent structure than the portable Tabernacle, naturally requiring more sources of light to illuminate its vast interior. The number ten, often symbolizing completeness, divine order, or abundance in biblical numerology, also emphasizes the amplified and comprehensive nature of God's light and truth dwelling among His people in this grander, established sanctuary. It visually represented a new era of God's manifest presence and blessing, fitting for a settled kingdom.
What does "according to their form" mean in relation to the lampstands?
Answer: The phrase "according to their form" (Hebrew: kemishpâṭām) indicates that Solomon's craftsmen meticulously followed the divinely prescribed pattern for the Tabernacle's lampstand, as detailed in Exodus 25:31-40. This means that despite the increase in quantity, the fundamental design—including its central shaft, branches, decorative cups, knobs, and flowers—remained consistent with God's original blueprint. This adherence to the divine "form" was crucial for maintaining the spiritual authenticity and significance of the lampstands, ensuring that these new Temple furnishings were not merely human inventions but continuations of God's sacred instructions for His dwelling place. It underscores the profound importance of divine revelation as the foundational basis for true and acceptable worship.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The ten golden lampstands in Solomon's Temple, perpetually illuminating the Holy Place, find their ultimate and most glorious fulfillment in the person and work of Jesus Christ. While these physical lampstands symbolically represented God's presence, truth, and revelation, they were but shadows of the true, eternal Light who was to come. Jesus unequivocally declared, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life" (John 8:12). He is the very embodiment of God's truth and revelation, the Logos made flesh, through whom "was life, and the life was the light of men" (John 1:4). The physical light of the Temple lampstands pointed forward to Christ, who perfectly illuminates the path to God and dispels the spiritual darkness of sin, ignorance, and death. In Him, the glory and presence of God, once confined to a physical sanctuary and symbolized by its furnishings, now dwell fully and personally, making Him the perfect and eternal source of all spiritual light and understanding, the one who truly "lights every person" (John 1:9). Ultimately, the book of Revelation reveals that in the New Jerusalem, there will be no need for sun or moon, "for the glory of God gives it light, and the Lamb is its lamp" (Revelation 21:23), powerfully demonstrating that Christ Himself is the everlasting fulfillment of all that the Temple lampstands foreshadowed, the ever-present and all-sufficient source of divine illumination.