mh_parser/vol_split/11 - 1Kings/Chapter 7.xml

<div2 id="iKi.viii" n="viii" next="iKi.ix" prev="iKi.vii" progress="53.40%" title="Chapter VII">
<h2 id="iKi.viii-p0.1">F I R S T   K I N G S</h2>
<h3 id="iKi.viii-p0.2">CHAP. VII.</h3>
<p class="intro" id="iKi.viii-p1">As, in the story of David, one chapter of wars and
victories follows another, so, in the story of Solomon, one chapter
concerning his buildings follows another. In this chapter we have,
I. His fitting up several buildings for himself and his own use,
<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p1.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.1-1Kgs.7.12" parsed="|1Kgs|7|1|7|12" passage="1Ki 7:1-12">ver. 1-12</scripRef>. II. His
furnishing the temple which he had built for God, 1. With two
pillars, <scripRef id="iKi.viii-p1.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.13-1Kgs.7.22" parsed="|1Kgs|7|13|7|22" passage="1Ki 7:13-22">ver. 13-22</scripRef>. 2.
With a molten sea, <scripRef id="iKi.viii-p1.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.23-1Kgs.7.26" parsed="|1Kgs|7|23|7|26" passage="1Ki 7:23-26">ver.
23-26</scripRef>. 3. With ten basins of brass (<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p1.4" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.27-1Kgs.7.37" parsed="|1Kgs|7|27|7|37" passage="1Ki 7:27-37">ver. 27-37</scripRef>), and ten layers upon them,
<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p1.5" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.38-1Kgs.7.39" parsed="|1Kgs|7|38|7|39" passage="1Ki 7:38,39">ver. 38, 39</scripRef>. 4. With all
the other utensils of the temple, <scripRef id="iKi.viii-p1.6" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.40-1Kgs.7.50" parsed="|1Kgs|7|40|7|50" passage="1Ki 7:40-50">ver. 40-50</scripRef>. 5. With the things that his
father had dedicated, <scripRef id="iKi.viii-p1.7" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.51" parsed="|1Kgs|7|51|0|0" passage="1Ki 7:51">ver.
51</scripRef>. The particular description of these things was not
needless when it was written, nor is it now useless.</p>
<scripCom id="iKi.viii-p0.1_1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7" parsed="|1Kgs|7|0|0|0" passage="1Ki 7" type="Commentary"/>
<scripCom id="iKi.viii-p0.2_1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.1-1Kgs.7.12" parsed="|1Kgs|7|1|7|12" passage="1Ki 7:1-12" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Kgs.7.1-1Kgs.7.12">
<h4 id="iKi.viii-p1.10">The Building of the Temple. (<span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.viii-p1.11">b. c.</span> 1004.)</h4>
<p class="passage" id="iKi.viii-p2">1 But Solomon was building his own house
thirteen years, and he finished all his house.   2 He built
also the house of the forest of Lebanon; the length thereof
<i>was</i> a hundred cubits, and the breadth thereof fifty cubits,
and the height thereof thirty cubits, upon four rows of cedar
pillars, with cedar beams upon the pillars.   3 And <i>it
was</i> covered with cedar above upon the beams, that <i>lay</i> on
forty five pillars, fifteen <i>in</i> a row.   4 And <i>there
were</i> windows <i>in</i> three rows, and light <i>was</i> against
light <i>in</i> three ranks.   5 And all the doors and posts
<i>were</i> square, with the windows: and light <i>was</i> against
light <i>in</i> three ranks.   6 And he made a porch of
pillars; the length thereof <i>was</i> fifty cubits, and the
breadth thereof thirty cubits: and the porch <i>was</i> before
them: and the <i>other</i> pillars and the thick beam <i>were</i>
before them.   7 Then he made a porch for the throne where he
might judge, <i>even</i> the porch of judgment: and <i>it was</i>
covered with cedar from one side of the floor to the other.  
8 And his house where he dwelt <i>had</i> another court within the
porch, <i>which</i> was of the like work. Solomon made also a house
for Pharaoh's daughter, whom he had taken <i>to wife,</i> like unto
this porch.   9 All these <i>were of</i> costly stones,
according to the measures of hewed stones, sawed with saws, within
and without, even from the foundation unto the coping, and
<i>so</i> on the outside toward the great court.   10 And the
foundation <i>was of</i> costly stones, even great stones, stones
of ten cubits, and stones of eight cubits.   11 And above
<i>were</i> costly stones, after the measures of hewed stones, and
cedars.   12 And the great court round about <i>was</i> with
three rows of hewed stones, and a row of cedar beams, both for the
inner court of the house of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.viii-p2.1">Lord</span>, and for the porch of the house.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.viii-p3">Never had any man so much of the spirit of
building as Solomon had, nor to better purpose; he began with the
temple, built for God first, and then all his other buildings were
comfortable. The surest foundations of lasting prosperity are those
which are laid in an early piety, <scripRef id="iKi.viii-p3.1" osisRef="Bible:Matt.6.33" parsed="|Matt|6|33|0|0" passage="Mt 6:33">Matt.
vi. 33</scripRef>. 1. He built a house for himself (<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p3.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.1" parsed="|1Kgs|7|1|0|0" passage="1Ki 7:1"><i>v.</i> 1</scripRef>), <i>where he dwelt,</i>
<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p3.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.8" parsed="|1Kgs|7|8|0|0" passage="1Ki 7:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. His father had
built a good house; but it was no reflection upon his father for
him to build a better, in proportion to the estate wherewith God
had blessed him. Much of the comfort of this life is connected with
an agreeable house. He was thirteen years building this house,
whereas he built the temple in little more than seven years; not
that he was more exact, but less eager and intent, in building his
own house than in building God's. He was in no haste for his own
palace, but impatient till the temple was finished and fit for use.
Thus we ought to prefer God's honour before our own ease and
satisfaction. 2. He built <i>the house of the forest at Lebanon</i>
(<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p3.4" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.2" parsed="|1Kgs|7|2|0|0" passage="1Ki 7:2"><i>v.</i> 2</scripRef>), supposed to
be a country seat near Jerusalem, so called from the pleasantness
of its situation and the trees that encompassed it. I rather
incline to think that it was a house built in the forest of Lebanon
itself, whither (though far distant from Jerusalem) Solomon (having
so many chariots and horses, and those dispersed into
chariot-cities, which probably were his stages) might frequently
retire with ease. It does not appear that his throne (mentioned
<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p3.5" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.7" parsed="|1Kgs|7|7|0|0" passage="1Ki 7:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>) was at the
house of the forest of Lebanon, and it was not at all improper to
put his shields there as in a magazine. Express notice is taken of
his buildings, not only in Jerusalem, but in Lebanon (<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p3.6" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.9.19" parsed="|1Kgs|9|19|0|0" passage="1Ki 9:19"><i>ch.</i> ix. 19</scripRef>), and we read of
the tower of Lebanon, which looks towards Damascus (<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p3.7" osisRef="Bible:Song.7.4" parsed="|Song|7|4|0|0" passage="So 7:4">Cant. vii. 4</scripRef>), which probably was part
of this house. A particular account is given of this house, that
being built in Lebanon, a place famed for cedars, the pillars, and
beams, and roof, were all cedar (<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p3.8" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.2-1Kgs.7.3" parsed="|1Kgs|7|2|7|3" passage="1Ki 7:2,3"><i>v.</i> 2, 3</scripRef>), and, being designed for
pleasant prospects, there were three tiers of windows on each side,
<i>light against light</i> (<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p3.9" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.4-1Kgs.7.5" parsed="|1Kgs|7|4|7|5" passage="1Ki 7:4,5"><i>v.</i>
4, 5</scripRef>), or, as it may be read, <i>prospect against
prospect.</i> Those whose lost i cast in the country may be well
reconciled to a country life by this, that some of the greatest
princes have thought those the most pleasant of their days which
they have spent in their country retirements. 3. He built piazzas
before one of his houses, either that at Jerusalem or that in
Lebanon, which were very famous—a porch of pillars (<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p3.10" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.6" parsed="|1Kgs|7|6|0|0" passage="1Ki 7:6"><i>v.</i> 6</scripRef>), perhaps for an exchange
or a guard-house, or for those to walk in that attended him about
business till they could have audience, or for state and
magnificence. He himself speaks of Wisdom's building her house, and
<i>hewing out her seven pillars</i> (<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p3.11" osisRef="Bible:Prov.9.1" parsed="|Prov|9|1|0|0" passage="Pr 9:1">Prov. ix. 1</scripRef>), for the shelter of those that,
three verses before (<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p3.12" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.8.34" parsed="|1Kgs|8|34|0|0" passage="1Ki 8:34"><i>ch.</i> viii.
34</scripRef>), are said to <i>watch daily at her gates and to wait
at the posts of her doors.</i> 4. At his house where he dwelt in
Jerusalem he built a great hall, or porch of judgment, where was
set the throne, or king's bench, for the trial of causes, in which
he himself was appealed to (<i>placita coram ipso rege
tenenda—causes were to be adjusted in the king's presence,</i>)
and this was richly wainscoted with cedar, from the floor to the
roof, <scripRef id="iKi.viii-p3.13" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.7" parsed="|1Kgs|7|7|0|0" passage="1Ki 7:7"><i>v.</i> 7</scripRef>. He had
there also <i>another court within the porch,</i> nearer his house,
of similar work, for his attendants to walk in, <scripRef id="iKi.viii-p3.14" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.8" parsed="|1Kgs|7|8|0|0" passage="1Ki 7:8"><i>v.</i> 8</scripRef>. 5. He built a house for his wife,
where she kept her court, <scripRef id="iKi.viii-p3.15" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.8" parsed="|1Kgs|7|8|0|0" passage="1Ki 7:8"><i>v.</i>
8</scripRef>. It is said to be <i>like the porch,</i> because built
of cedar like it, though not in the same form; this, no doubt, was
nearer adjoining to his own palace, yet perhaps if it had been as
near as it ought to have been Solomon would not have multiplied
wives as he did.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.viii-p4">The wonderful magnificence of all these
buildings is taken notice of, <scripRef id="iKi.viii-p4.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.9-1Kgs.7.12" parsed="|1Kgs|7|9|7|12" passage="1Ki 7:9-12"><i>v.</i> 9</scripRef>, &amp;c. All the materials were
the best of their kind. The foundation-stones were costly for their
size, four or five yards square, or at least so many yards long
(<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p4.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.10" parsed="|1Kgs|7|10|0|0" passage="1Ki 7:10"><i>v.</i> 10</scripRef>), and the
stones of the building were costly for the workmanship, hewn and
sawn, and in all respects finely wrought, <scripRef id="iKi.viii-p4.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.9 Bible:1Kgs.7.11" parsed="|1Kgs|7|9|0|0;|1Kgs|7|11|0|0" passage="1Ki 7:9,11"><i>v.</i> 9, 11</scripRef>. The court of his own house
was like that of the temple (<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p4.4" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.12 Bible:1Kgs.6.36" parsed="|1Kgs|7|12|0|0;|1Kgs|6|36|0|0" passage="1Ki 7:12,1Ki 6:36"><i>v.</i> 12, compare <i>ch.</i> vi.
36</scripRef>); so well did he like the model of God's courts that
he made his own by it.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iKi.viii-p0.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.13-1Kgs.7.47" parsed="|1Kgs|7|13|7|47" passage="1Ki 7:13-47" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Kgs.7.13-1Kgs.7.47">
<p class="passage" id="iKi.viii-p5">13 And king Solomon sent and fetched Hiram out
of Tyre.   14 He <i>was</i> a widow's son of the tribe of
Naphtali, and his father <i>was</i> a man of Tyre, a worker in
brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and
cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon,
and wrought all his work.   15 For he cast two pillars of
brass, of eighteen cubits high apiece: and a line of twelve cubits
did compass either of them about.   16 And he made two
chapiters <i>of</i> molten brass, to set upon the tops of the
pillars: the height of the one chapiter <i>was</i> five cubits, and
the height of the other chapiter <i>was</i> five cubits:   17
<i>And</i> nets of checker work, and wreaths of chain work, for the
chapiters which <i>were</i> upon the top of the pillars; seven for
the one chapiter, and seven for the other chapiter.   18 And
he made the pillars, and two rows round about upon the one network,
to cover the chapiters that <i>were</i> upon the top, with
pomegranates: and so did he for the other chapiter.   19 And
the chapiters that <i>were</i> upon the top of the pillars
<i>were</i> of lily work in the porch, four cubits.   20 And
the chapiters upon the two pillars <i>had pomegranates</i> also
above, over against the belly which <i>was</i> by the network: and
the pomegranates <i>were</i> two hundred in rows round about upon
the other chapiter.   21 And he set up the pillars in the
porch of the temple: and he set up the right pillar, and called the
name thereof Jachin: and he set up the left pillar, and called the
name thereof Boaz.   22 And upon the top of the pillars
<i>was</i> lily work: so was the work of the pillars finished.
  23 And he made a molten sea, ten cubits from the one brim to
the other: <i>it was</i> round all about, and his height <i>was</i>
five cubits: and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round
about.   24 And under the brim of it round about <i>there
were</i> knops compassing it, ten in a cubit, compassing the sea
round about: the knops <i>were</i> cast in two rows, when it was
cast.   25 It stood upon twelve oxen, three looking toward the
north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward
the south, and three looking toward the east: and the sea <i>was
set</i> above upon them, and all their hinder parts <i>were</i>
inward.   26 And it <i>was</i> a hand breadth thick, and the
brim thereof was wrought like the brim of a cup, with flowers of
lilies: it contained two thousand baths.   27 And he made ten
bases of brass; four cubits <i>was</i> the length of one base, and
four cubits the breadth thereof, and three cubits the height of it.
  28 And the work of the bases <i>was</i> on this
<i>manner:</i> they had borders, and the borders <i>were</i>
between the ledges:   29 And on the borders that <i>were</i>
between the ledges <i>were</i> lions, oxen, and cherubims: and upon
the ledges <i>there was</i> a base above: and beneath the lions and
oxen <i>were</i> certain additions made of thin work.   30 And
every base had four brasen wheels, and plates of brass: and the
four corners thereof had undersetters: under the laver <i>were</i>
undersetters molten, at the side of every addition.   31 And
the mouth of it within the chapiter and above <i>was</i> a cubit:
but the mouth thereof <i>was</i> round <i>after</i> the work of the
base, a cubit and a half: and also upon the mouth of it <i>were</i>
gravings with their borders, foursquare, not round.   32 And
under the borders <i>were</i> four wheels; and the axletrees of the
wheels <i>were joined</i> to the base: and the height of a wheel
<i>was</i> a cubit and half a cubit.   33 And the work of the
wheels <i>was</i> like the work of a chariot wheel: their
axletrees, and their naves, and their felloes, and their spokes,
<i>were</i> all molten.   34 And <i>there were</i> four
undersetters to the four corners of one base: <i>and</i> the
undersetters <i>were</i> of the very base itself.   35 And in
the top of the base <i>was there</i> a round compass of half a
cubit high: and on the top of the base the ledges thereof and the
borders thereof <i>were</i> of the same.   36 For on the
plates of the ledges thereof, and on the borders thereof, he graved
cherubims, lions, and palm trees, according to the proportion of
every one, and additions round about.   37 After this
<i>manner</i> he made the ten bases: all of them had one casting,
one measure, <i>and</i> one size.   38 Then made he ten lavers
of brass: one laver contained forty baths: <i>and</i> every laver
was four cubits: <i>and</i> upon every one of the ten bases one
laver.   39 And he put five bases on the right side of the
house, and five on the left side of the house: and he set the sea
on the right side of the house eastward over against the south.
  40 And Hiram made the lavers, and the shovels, and the
basons. So Hiram made an end of doing all the work that he made
king Solomon for the house of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.viii-p5.1">Lord</span>:   41 The two pillars, and the
<i>two</i> bowls of the chapiters that <i>were</i> on the top of
the two pillars; and the two networks, to cover the two bowls of
the chapiters which <i>were</i> upon the top of the pillars;  
42 And four hundred pomegranates for the two networks, <i>even</i>
two rows of pomegranates for one network, to cover the two bowls of
the chapiters that <i>were</i> upon the pillars;   43 And the
ten bases, and ten lavers on the bases;   44 And one sea, and
twelve oxen under the sea;   45 And the pots, and the shovels,
and the basons: and all these vessels, which Hiram made to king
Solomon for the house of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.viii-p5.2">Lord</span>,
<i>were of</i> bright brass.   46 In the plain of Jordan did
the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarthan.
  47 And Solomon left all the vessels <i>unweighed,</i>
because they were exceeding many: neither was the weight of the
brass found out.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.viii-p6">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 <i>iron for things of iron,</i>
<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p6.1" osisRef="Bible:1Chr.29.2" parsed="|1Chr|29|2|0|0" passage="1Ch 29:2">1 Chron. xxix. 2</scripRef>. What
those things were we are not told, but some of the things of brass
are here described and the rest mentioned.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.viii-p7">I. The brasier whom Solomon employed to
preside in this part of the work was Hiram, or Huram (<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p7.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.4.11" parsed="|2Chr|4|11|0|0" passage="2Ch 4:11">2 Chron. iv. 11</scripRef>), who was by his
mother's side an Israelite, of the tribe of Naphtali, by his
father's side a man of Tyre, <scripRef id="iKi.viii-p7.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.14" parsed="|1Kgs|7|14|0|0" passage="1Ki 7:14"><i>v.</i>
14</scripRef>. 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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.viii-p8">II. The brass he made use of was the best
he could get. All the brazen vessels were of <i>bright brass</i>
(<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p8.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.45" parsed="|1Kgs|7|45|0|0" passage="1Ki 7:45"><i>v.</i> 45</scripRef>), <i>good</i>
brass, so the Chaldee, that which was strongest and looked finest.
God, who is the best, must be served and honoured with the
best.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.viii-p9">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 (<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p9.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.46" parsed="|1Kgs|7|46|0|0" passage="1Ki 7:46"><i>v.</i> 46</scripRef>), and
Solomon would not have this dirty smoky work done in or near
Jerusalem.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.viii-p10">IV. The quantity was not accounted for. The
vessels were <i>unnumbered</i> (so it may be read, <scripRef id="iKi.viii-p10.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.47" parsed="|1Kgs|7|47|0|0" passage="1Ki 7:47"><i>v.</i> 47</scripRef>, as well as
<i>unweighed</i>), <i>because they were exceedingly numerous,</i>
and it would have been an endless thing to keep the account of
them; <i>neither was the weight of the brass,</i> 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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.viii-p11">V. Some particulars of the brass-work are
described.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.viii-p12">1. Two brazen pillars, which were set up
<i>in the porch of the temple</i> (<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p12.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.21" parsed="|1Kgs|7|21|0|0" passage="1Ki 7:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>), 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 (<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p12.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.21" parsed="|1Kgs|7|21|0|0" passage="1Ki 7:21"><i>v.</i> 21</scripRef>): <i>Jachin</i>—<i>he
will establish;</i> and <i>Boaz</i>—<i>in him is strength.</i>
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: <i>Jachin</i>—<i>God will fix this
roving mind. It is a good thing that the heart be established with
grace.</i> We find ourselves weak and unable for holy duties, but
this is our encouragement: <i>Boaz</i>—<i>in him is our
strength,</i> who works in us both to will and to do. <i>I will go
in the strength of the Lord God.</i> 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 (<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p12.3" osisRef="Bible:2Kgs.25.13 Bible:2Kgs.25.17" parsed="|2Kgs|25|13|0|0;|2Kgs|25|17|0|0" passage="2Ki 25:13,17">2 Kings xxv. 13, 17</scripRef>), which had been the
tokens of its establishment, and would have been so if they had not
forsaken God.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.viii-p13">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, <scripRef id="iKi.viii-p13.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.23-1Kgs.7.26" parsed="|1Kgs|7|23|7|26" passage="1Ki 7:23-26"><i>v.</i> 23</scripRef>, &amp;c. 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, <i>a fountain opened,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.viii-p13.2" osisRef="Bible:Zech.13.1" parsed="|Zech|13|1|0|0" passage="Zec 13:1">Zech.
xiii. 1</scripRef>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.viii-p14">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,
<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p14.1" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.27-1Kgs.7.30" parsed="|1Kgs|7|27|7|30" passage="1Ki 7:27-30"><i>v.</i> 27</scripRef>, &amp;c.
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,
<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p14.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.39" parsed="|1Kgs|7|39|0|0" passage="1Ki 7:39"><i>v.</i> 39</scripRef>. Each laver
contained forty baths, that is, about ten barrels, <scripRef id="iKi.viii-p14.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.38" parsed="|1Kgs|7|38|0|0" passage="1Ki 7:38"><i>v.</i> 38</scripRef>. Those must be very
<i>clean that bear the vessels of the Lord.</i> 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.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.viii-p15">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 <scripRef id="iKi.viii-p15.1" osisRef="Bible:1Sam.2.14" parsed="|1Sam|2|14|0|0" passage="1Sa 2:14">1 Sam. ii. 14</scripRef>); also
shovels, wherewith they took out the ashes of the altar. Some think
the word signifies <i>flesh-hooks,</i> 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, <scripRef id="iKi.viii-p15.2" osisRef="Bible:Exod.38.3" parsed="|Exod|38|3|0|0" passage="Ex 38:3">Exod. xxxviii.
3</scripRef>. 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.</p>
</div><scripCom id="iKi.viii-p0.4" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.48-1Kgs.7.51" parsed="|1Kgs|7|48|7|51" passage="1Ki 7:48-51" type="Commentary"/><div class="Commentary" id="Bible:1Kgs.7.48-1Kgs.7.51">
<p class="passage" id="iKi.viii-p16">48 And Solomon made all the vessels that
<i>pertained</i> unto the house of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.viii-p16.1">Lord</span>: the altar of gold, and the table of gold,
whereupon the showbread <i>was,</i>   49 And the candlesticks
of pure gold, five on the right <i>side,</i> and five on the left,
before the oracle, with the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs
<i>of</i> gold,   50 And the bowls, and the snuffers, and the
basons, and the spoons, and the censers <i>of</i> pure gold; and
the hinges <i>of</i> gold, <i>both</i> for the doors of the inner
house, the most holy <i>place, and</i> for the doors of the house,
<i>to wit,</i> of the temple.   51 So was ended all the work
that king Solomon made for the house of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.viii-p16.2">Lord</span>. And Solomon brought in the things which
David his father had dedicated; <i>even</i> the silver, and the
gold, and the vessels, did he put among the treasures of the house
of the <span class="smallcaps" id="iKi.viii-p16.3">Lord</span>.</p>
<p class="indent" id="iKi.viii-p17">Here is, 1. The making of the gold work of
the temple, which it seems was done last, for with it the work of
the house of God ended. All within doors was gold, and all made new
(except the ark, with its mercy-seat and cherubim), the old being
either melted down or laid by—the golden altar, table, and
candlestick, with all their appurtenances. The altar of incense was
still <i>one,</i> for Christ and his intercession are so: but he
made ten golden tables, <scripRef id="iKi.viii-p17.1" osisRef="Bible:2Chr.4.8" parsed="|2Chr|4|8|0|0" passage="2Ch 4:8">2 Chron. iv.
8</scripRef> (though here mention is made of that one only <i>on
which the show-bread was,</i> <scripRef id="iKi.viii-p17.2" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.48" parsed="|1Kgs|7|48|0|0" passage="1Ki 7:48"><i>v.</i> 48</scripRef>, which we may suppose was larger
than the rest and to which the rest were as side-boards), and
<i>ten golden candlesticks</i> (<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p17.3" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.49" parsed="|1Kgs|7|49|0|0" passage="1Ki 7:49"><i>v.</i> 49</scripRef>), intimating the much greater
plenty both of spiritual food and heavenly light which the gospel
blesses us with than the law of Moses did our could afford. Even
the hinges of the door were of gold (<scripRef id="iKi.viii-p17.4" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.50" parsed="|1Kgs|7|50|0|0" passage="1Ki 7:50"><i>v.</i> 50</scripRef>), that every thing might be
alike magnificent, and bespeak Solomon's generosity. Some suggest
that every thing was made thus splendid in God's temple to keep the
people from idolatry, for none of the idol-temples were so rich and
fine as this: but how little the expedient availed the event
showed. 2. The bringing in of the dedicated things, which David had
devoted to the honour of God, <scripRef id="iKi.viii-p17.5" osisRef="Bible:1Kgs.7.51" parsed="|1Kgs|7|51|0|0" passage="1Ki 7:51"><i>v.</i> 51</scripRef>. What was not expended in the
building and furniture was laid up in the treasury, for repairs,
exigencies, and the constant charge of the temple-service. What the
parents have dedicated to God the children ought by no means to
alienate or recall, but should cheerfully devote what was intended
for pious and charitable uses, that they may, with their estates,
inherit the blessing.</p>
</div></div2>