2 Chronicles 4:8

2 Chronicles 4:8 continues the detailed description of the magnificent furnishings King Solomon commissioned for the First Temple in Jerusalem. This verse highlights two specific sets of items: ten tables and one hundred gold basons, emphasizing the grandeur and functional abundance of the sacred space.

Context

This verse is part of a larger narrative in 2 Chronicles chapters 3 and 4 that meticulously details the construction and adornment of the Temple, built according to divine specifications originally given to David. Following descriptions of the altar, the molten sea, and the ten lavers, verse 8 focuses on internal fixtures essential for the Temple's daily worship and sacrificial rituals. The scale of these items far exceeded those found in the earlier Tabernacle, reflecting the unparalleled wealth and devotion of Solomon's reign, as also recounted in 1 Kings 7:48-50.

Key Themes and Messages

• Magnificence and Abundance: The mention of "ten tables" and "an hundred basons of gold" immediately conveys the immense scale and opulence of Solomon's Temple. While the Tabernacle had only one table for the showbread (Exodus 25:23), Solomon multiplied this ten-fold, indicating an overflowing provision for the sacred services. The use of pure "gold" for the basons further underscores the preciousness and value placed on items dedicated to God's service.
• Order and Symmetry: The precise placement of the tables—"five on the right side, and five on the left"—demonstrates a meticulous attention to order and symmetry within the Temple. This arrangement reflects the structured and orderly nature of the divine worship prescribed by God.
• Preparation for Worship: These furnishings were not merely decorative; they were highly functional. The tables were likely used for the showbread (bread of the Presence), which was continually set before the Lord. The "basons of gold" were essential for collecting blood from sacrifices, for purification rituals, or for other ceremonial purposes, highlighting the extensive nature of the sacrificial system in the Old Testament.

Linguistic Insights

The Hebrew word for "tables" is shulchanot (שֻׁלְחָנוֹת), which simply refers to tables, often used for food or offerings. The term for "basons" is mizrakot (מִזְרָקוֹת), denoting bowls or basins specifically designed for sprinkling or pouring, particularly in a sacrificial context. The emphasis in the original text, as in the KJV, is on the sheer quantity and the precious material, gold, reinforcing the extraordinary nature of these Temple furnishings and their significance for Temple rituals.

Practical Application

This verse, though describing ancient Temple construction, offers timeless principles for believers today:

• Excellence in God's Service: Solomon spared no expense in building and furnishing the Temple, setting a standard of giving our best to God. It encourages believers today to approach worship and service with a spirit of excellence, generosity, and devotion, recognizing the holiness of God.
• Purposeful Design: Every item in the Temple had a specific purpose in facilitating worship and drawing people closer to God. This reminds us that our own spiritual practices and communal gatherings should be thoughtfully designed to serve God's purposes effectively and foster genuine connection.
• Abundance in God's Provision: The multiplicity of items suggests God's abundant provision for His people's needs in worship and fellowship. Just as the physical temple was richly supplied, so too does God provide abundantly for our spiritual lives, often beyond what we might expect or imagine, as seen in the promise of abundant life.