1 Kings 7
7
Solomon's Palace
1Solomon also built a palace for himself, and it took him thirteen years. 2-3The Hall of the Forest of Lebanon#7.2–3 Hall of the Forest of Lebanon: A large ceremonial hall in the palace, probably so called because it was panelled in cedar. was 44 metres long, 22 metres wide, and 13.5 metres high. It had three#7.2–3 One ancient translation three; Hebrew four. rows of cedar pillars, fifteen in each row, with cedar beams resting on them. The ceiling was of cedar, extending over storerooms, which were supported by the pillars. 4In each of the two side walls there were three rows of windows. 5The doorways and the windows#7.5 One ancient translation windows; Hebrew doorposts. had rectangular frames, and the three rows of windows in each wall faced the opposite rows.
6The Hall of Columns was 22 metres long and 13.5 metres wide. It had a covered porch, supported by columns.
7The Throne Room, also called the Hall of Judgement, where Solomon decided cases, had cedar panels from the floor to the rafters.#7.7 Some ancient translations rafters; Hebrew floor.
8 #
1 Kgs 3.1
Solomon's own quarters, in another court behind the Hall of Judgement, were made like the other buildings. He also built the same kind of house for his wife, the daughter of the king of Egypt.
9All these buildings and the great court were made of fine stones from the foundations to the eaves. The stones were prepared at the quarry and cut to measure, with their inner and outer sides trimmed with saws. 10The foundations were made of large stones prepared at the quarry, some of them 3.5 metres long and others four metres long. 11On top of them were other stones, cut to measure, and cedar beams. 12The palace court, the inner court of the Temple, and the entrance room of the Temple had walls with one layer of cedar beams for every three layers of cut stones.
Huram's Task
13King Solomon sent for a man named Huram, a craftsman living in the city of Tyre, who was skilled in bronze work. 14His father, who was no longer living, was from Tyre, and had also been a skilled bronze craftsman; his mother was from the tribe of Naphtali. Huram was an intelligent and experienced craftsman. He accepted King Solomon's invitation to be in charge of all the bronze work.
The Two Bronze Columns
(2 Chr 3.15–17)
15Huram cast two bronze columns, each one eight metres tall and 5.3 metres in circumference,#7.15 Some ancient translations each one… circumference; Hebrew the first column was 8 metres tall and the second column was 5.3 metres in circumference. and placed them at the entrance of the Temple. 16He also made two bronze capitals, each one 2.2 metres tall, to be placed on top of the columns. 17The top of each column was decorated with a design of interwoven chains,#7.17 Verse 17 in Hebrew is unclear. 18and two rows of bronze pomegranates.
19The capitals were shaped like lilies, 1.8 metres tall, 20and were placed on a rounded section which was above the chain design. There were 200 pomegranates in two rows round each#7.20 One ancient translation each; Hebrew the second. capital.
21Huram placed these two bronze columns in front of the entrance of the Temple: the one on the south side was named Jachin,#7.21 Jachin: This name sounds like the Hebrew for “he (God) establishes”. and the one on the north was named Boaz.#7.21 Boaz: This name sounds like the Hebrew for “by his (God's) strength”. 22The lily-shaped bronze capitals were on top of the columns.
And so the work on the columns was completed.
The Bronze Tank
(2 Chr 4.2–5)
23Huram made a round tank of bronze, 2.2 metres deep, 4.4 metres in diameter, and 13.2 metres in circumference. 24All round the outer edge of the rim of the tank#7.24 Probable text All round… tank; Hebrew unclear. were two rows of bronze gourds, which had been cast all in one piece with the rest of the tank. 25The tank rested on the backs of twelve bronze bulls that faced outwards, three facing in each direction. 26The sides of the tank were 75 millimetres thick. Its rim was like the rim of a cup, curving outwards like the petals of a lily. The tank held about 40,000 litres.
The Bronze Carts
27Huram also made ten bronze carts; each was 1.8 metres long, 1.8 metres wide, and 1.3 metres high. 28They were made of square panels which were set in frames, 29with the figures of lions, bulls, and winged creatures on the panels; and on the frames, above and underneath the lions and bulls, there were spiral figures in relief. 30Each cart had four bronze wheels with bronze axles. At the four corners were bronze supports for a basin; the supports were decorated with spiral figures in relief. 31There was a circular frame on top for the basin. It projected upwards 45 centimetres from the top of the cart and eighteen centimetres down into it. It had carvings round it. 32The wheels were 66 centimetres high; they were under the panels, and the axles were of one piece with the carts. 33The wheels were like chariot wheels; their axles, rims, spokes, and hubs were all of bronze. 34There were four supports at the bottom corners of each cart, which were of one piece with the cart. 35There was a 22 centimetre band round the top of each cart; its supports and the panels were of one piece with the cart. 36The supports and panels were decorated with figures of winged creatures, lions, and palm trees, wherever there was space for them, with spiral figures all round. 37This, then, is how the carts were made; they were all alike, having the same size and shape.
38 #
Ex 30.17–21
Huram also made ten basins, one for each cart. Each basin was 1.8 metres in diameter, and held about 800 litres. 39He placed five of the carts on the south side of the Temple, and the other five on the north side; the tank he placed at the south-east corner.
Summary List of Temple Furnishings
(2 Chr 4.11—5.1)
40-45Huram also made pots, shovels, and bowls. He completed all his work for King Solomon for the LORD's Temple. This is what he made:
The two columns
The two bowl-shaped capitals on top of the columns
The design of interwoven chains on each capital
The 400 bronze pomegranates, in two rows of a hundred each round the design on each capital
The ten carts
The ten basins
The tank
The twelve bulls supporting the tank
The pots, shovels, and bowls.
All this equipment for the Temple, which Huram made for King Solomon, was of polished bronze. 46The king had it all made in the foundry between Sukkoth and Zarethan, in the Jordan Valley. 47Solomon did not have these bronze objects weighed, because there were too many of them, and so their weight was never determined.
48 #
Ex 25.23–30; 30.1–3 Solomon also had gold furnishings made for the Temple: the altar, the table for the bread offered to God, 49#Ex 25.31–40the ten lampstands that stood in front of the Most Holy Place, five on the south side and five on the north; the flowers, lamps, and tongs; 50the cups, lamp snuffers, bowls, dishes for incense, and the pans used for carrying live coals; and the hinges for the doors of the Most Holy Place and of the outer doors of the Temple. All these furnishings were made of gold.
51 #
2 Sam 8.11; 1 Chr 18.11 When King Solomon finished all the work on the Temple, he placed in the temple storerooms all the things that his father David had dedicated to the LORD — the silver, gold, and other articles.
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Good News Bible. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.
1 Kings 7
7
The Building of the Royal Palace
1 Solomon took thirteen years to build his palace.#tn Heb “His house Solomon built in thirteen years and he completed all his house.” 2 He named#tn Heb “he built.” it “The Palace of the Lebanon Forest”;#sn The Palace of the Lebanon Forest. This name was appropriate because of the large amount of cedar, undoubtedly brought from Lebanon, used in its construction. The cedar pillars in the palace must have given it the appearance of a forest. it was 150 feet#tn Heb “one hundred cubits.” long, 75 feet#tn Heb “fifty cubits.” wide, and 45 feet#tn Heb “thirty cubits.” high. It had four rows of cedar pillars and cedar beams above the pillars. 3 The roof above the beams supported by the pillars was also made of cedar; there were forty-five beams, fifteen per row. 4 There were three rows of windows arranged in sets of three.#tn Heb “and framed [windows in] three rows, and opening to opening three times.” The precise meaning of this description is uncertain. Another option might be, “overhung [in] three rows.” This might mean they were positioned high on the walls. 5 All of the entrances#tn Heb “all of the doors and doorposts.” were rectangular in shape#sn Rectangular in shape. That is, rather than arched. and they were arranged in sets of three.#tn Heb “and all the entrances and the doorposts [had] four frames, and in front of opening to opening three times” (the precise meaning of the description is uncertain). 6 He made a colonnade#tn Heb “a porch of pillars.” 75 feet#tn Heb “fifty cubits.” long and 45 feet#tn Heb “thirty cubits.” wide. There was a porch in front of this and pillars and a roof in front of the porch.#tn Heb “and a porch was in front of them (i.e., the aforementioned pillars) and pillars and a roof in front of them (i.e., the aforementioned pillars and porch).” The precise meaning of the term translated “roof” is uncertain; it occurs only here and in Ezek 41:25-26. 7 He also made a throne room, called “The Hall of Judgment,” where he made judicial decisions.#tn Heb “and a porch for the throne, where he was making judicial decisions, the Porch of Judgment, he made.” It was paneled with cedar from the floor to the rafters.#tc The Hebrew text reads, “from the floor to the floor.” The second occurrence of the term הַקַּרְקָע (haqqarqa’, “the floor”) is probably an error; one should emend to הַקּוֹרוֹת (haqqorot, “the rafters”). See 6:16. 8 The palace where he lived was constructed in a similar way.#tn Heb “and his house where he lived, the other court [i.e., as opposed to the great court], separated from the house belonging to the hall, was like this work [i.e., this style of architecture].” He also constructed a palace like this hall for Pharaoh’s daughter, whom he had married.#tn Heb “and a house he was making for the daughter of Pharaoh, whom Solomon had taken, like this porch.” 9 All of these were built with the best#tn Or “valuable” (see 5:17). stones, chiseled to the right size#tn Heb “according to the measurement of chiseled [stone].” and cut with a saw on all sides,#tn Heb “inside and out.” from the foundation to the edge of the roof#tn The precise meaning of the Hebrew word טְפָחוֹת (tÿfakhot) is uncertain, but it is clear that the referent stands in opposition to the foundation. and from the outside to the great courtyard. 10 The foundation was made of large valuable stones, measuring either 15 feet or 12 feet.#tn Heb “stones of ten cubits and stones of eight cubits” (it is unclear exactly what dimension is being measured). If both numbers refer to the length of the stones (cf. NCV, CEV, NLT), then perhaps stones of two different sizes were used in some alternating pattern. 11 Above the foundation#tn Heb “on top,” or “above.” the best#tn Or “valuable” (see 5:17). stones, chiseled to the right size,#tn Heb “according to the measurement of chiseled [stone].” were used along with cedar. 12 Around the great courtyard were three rows of chiseled stones and one row of cedar beams, like the inner courtyard of the Lord’s temple and the hall of the palace.#tn Or “the porch of the temple.”
Solomon Commissions Hiram to Supply the Temple
13 King Solomon sent for Hiram#tn Heb “King Solomon sent and took Hiram from Tyre.” In 2 Chr 2:13 (MT v. 12) and 4:11, 16 his name is spelled “Huram.” of Tyre.#map For location see Map1-A2; Map2-G2; Map4-A1; JP3-F3; JP4-F3. 14 He was the son of a widow from the tribe of Naphtali,#tn 2 Chr 2:14 (13 HT) says “from the daughters of Dan.” and his father was a craftsman in bronze from Tyre. He had the skill and knowledge#tn Heb “he was filled with the skill, understanding, and knowledge.” to make all kinds of works of bronze. He reported to King Solomon and did all the work he was assigned.
15 He fashioned two bronze pillars; each pillar was 27 feet#tn Heb “eighteen cubits.” high and 18 feet#tn Heb “twelve cubits.” in circumference. 16 He made two bronze tops for the pillars; each was seven-and-a-half feet high.#tn Heb “two capitals he made to place on the tops of the pillars, cast in bronze; five cubits was the height of the first capital, and five cubits was the height of the second capital.” 17 The latticework on the tops of the pillars was adorned with ornamental wreaths and chains; the top of each pillar had seven groupings of ornaments.#tn Heb “there were seven for the first capital, and seven for the second capital.” 18 When he made the pillars, there were two rows of pomegranate-shaped ornaments around the latticework covering the top of each pillar.#tn Heb “he made the pillars, and two rows surrounding one latticework to cover the capitals which were on top of the pomegranates, and so he did for the second latticework.” The translation supplies “pomegranates” after “two rows,” and understands “pillars,” rather than “pomegranates,” to be the correct reading after “on top of.” The latter change finds support from many Hebrew mss and the ancient Greek version. 19 The tops of the two pillars in the porch were shaped like lilies and were six feet high.#tn Heb “the capitals which were on the top of the pillars were the work of lilies, in the porch, four cubits.” It is unclear exactly what dimension is being measured. 20 On the top of each pillar, right above the bulge beside the latticework, there were two hundred pomegranate-shaped ornaments arranged in rows all the way around.#tn Heb “and the capitals on the two pillars, also above, close beside the bulge which was beside the latticework, two hundred pomegranates in rows around, on the second capital.” The precise meaning of the word translated “bulge” is uncertain. 21 He set up the pillars on the porch in front of the main hall. He erected one pillar on the right#tn Or “south.” side and called it Jakin;#sn The name Jakin appears to be a verbal form and probably means, “he establishes.” he erected the other pillar on the left#tn Or “north.” side and called it Boaz.#sn The meaning of the name Boaz is uncertain. For various proposals, see BDB 126-27 s.v. בעז. One attractive option is to revocalize the name as בְּעֹז (be’oz, “in strength”) and to understand it as completing the verbal form on the first pillar. Taking the words together and reading from right to left, one can translate the sentence, “he establishes [it] in strength.” 22 The tops of the pillars were shaped like lilies. So the construction of the pillars was completed.
23 He also made the large bronze basin called “The Sea.”#tn Heb “He made the sea, cast.”sn This large basin that was mounted on twelve bronze bulls and contained water for the priests to bathe themselves (2 Chr 4:6; cf. Exod 30:17-21). It measured 15 feet#tn Heb “ten cubits.” from rim to rim, was circular in shape, and stood seven-and-a-half feet#tn Heb “five cubits.” high. Its circumference was 45 feet.#tn Heb “and a measuring line went around it thirty cubits all around.” 24 Under the rim all the way around it#tn Heb “The Sea.” The proper noun has been replaced by the pronoun (“it”) in the translation for stylistic reasons. were round ornaments#tn Or “gourd-shaped ornaments.” arranged in settings 15 feet long.#tn Heb “ten cubits surrounding the sea all around.” The precise meaning of this description is uncertain. The ornaments were in two rows and had been cast with “The Sea.”#tn Heb “the gourd-shaped ornaments were in two rows, cast in its casting.” 25 “The Sea” stood on top of twelve bulls. Three faced northward, three westward, three southward, and three eastward. “The Sea” was placed on top of them, and they all faced outward.#tn Heb “all their hindquarters were toward the inside.” 26 It was four fingers thick and its rim was like that of a cup shaped like a lily blossom. It could hold about 12,000 gallons.#tn Heb “two thousand baths” (a bath was a liquid measure roughly equivalent to six gallons).
27 He also made ten bronze movable stands. Each stand was six feet#tn Heb “four cubits.” long, six feet#tn Heb “four cubits.” wide, and four-and-a-half feet#tn Heb “three cubits.” high. 28 The stands were constructed with frames between the joints. 29 On these frames and joints were ornamental lions, bulls, and cherubs. Under the lions and bulls were decorative wreaths.#tn The precise meaning of these final words is uncertain. A possible literal translation would be, “wreaths, the work of descent.” 30 Each stand had four bronze wheels with bronze axles and four supports. Under the basin the supports were fashioned on each side with wreaths.#tn The precise meaning of this last word, translated “wreaths,” is uncertain. 31 Inside the stand was a round opening that was a foot-and-a-half deep; it had a support that was two and one-quarter feet long.#tn Heb “And its opening from the inside to the top and upwards [was] a cubit, and its opening was round, the work of a stand, a cubit-and-a-half.” The precise meaning of this description is uncertain. On the edge of the opening were carvings in square frames.#tn Heb “also over its opening were carvings and their frames [were] squared, not round.” 32 The four wheels were under the frames and the crossbars of the axles were connected to the stand. Each wheel was two and one-quarter feet#tn Heb “a cubit-and-a-half” (a cubit was a unit of measure roughly equivalent to 18 inches or 45 cm). high. 33 The wheels were constructed like chariot wheels; their crossbars, rims, spokes, and hubs were made of cast metal. 34 Each stand had four supports, one per side projecting out from the stand.#tn Heb “four shoulders to the four sides of each stand, from the stand its shoulders.” The precise meaning of the description is uncertain. 35 On top of each stand was a round opening three-quarters of a foot deep;#tn Heb “and on top of the stand, a half cubit [in] height, round all around” (the meaning of this description is uncertain). there were also supports and frames on top of the stands. 36 He engraved ornamental cherubs, lions, and palm trees on the plates of the supports and frames wherever there was room,#tn Heb “according to the space of each.” with wreaths#tn The precise meaning of this last word, translated “wreaths,” is uncertain. all around. 37 He made the ten stands in this way. All of them were cast in one mold and were identical in measurements and shape.
38 He also made ten bronze basins, each of which could hold about 240 gallons.#tn Heb “forty baths” (a bath was a liquid measure roughly equivalent to six gallons). Each basin was six feet in diameter;#tn Heb “four cubits, each basin.” It is unclear which dimension is being measured. there was one basin for each stand. 39 He put five basins on the south side of the temple and five on the north side. He put “The Sea” on the south side, in the southeast corner.
40 Hiram also made basins, shovels, and bowls. He#tn Heb “Hiram.” The proper name has been replaced by the pronoun (“he”) in the translation for stylistic reasons. finished all the work on the Lord’s temple he had been assigned by King Solomon.#tn Heb “Hiram finished doing all the work which he did for King Solomon [on] the house of the Lord.” 41 He made#tn The words “he made” are added for stylistic reasons. the two pillars, the two bowl-shaped tops of the pillars, the latticework for the bowl-shaped tops of the two pillars, 42 the four hundred pomegranate-shaped ornaments for the latticework of the two pillars (each latticework had two rows of these ornaments at the bowl-shaped top of the pillar), 43 the ten movable stands with their ten basins, 44 the big bronze basin called “The Sea” with its twelve bulls underneath,#tn Heb “underneath ‘The Sea.’” 45 and the pots, shovels, and bowls. All these items King Solomon assigned Hiram to make for the Lord’s temple#tn Heb “which Hiram made for King Solomon [for] the house of the Lord.” were made from polished bronze. 46 The king had them cast in earth foundries#tn Or perhaps, “molds.” in the region of the Jordan between Succoth and Zarethan. 47 Solomon left all these items unweighed; there were so many of them they did not weigh the bronze.#tn Heb “Solomon left all the items, due to their very great abundance; the weight of the bronze was not sought.”
48 Solomon also made all these items for the Lord’s temple: the gold altar, the gold table on which was kept the Bread of the Presence,#tn Heb “the bread of the face [or presence].” Many recent English versions employ “the bread of the Presence,” although this does not convey much to the modern reader.sn This bread was viewed as a perpetual offering to God and was regarded as holy. See Lev 24:5-9. 49 the pure gold lampstands at the entrance to the inner sanctuary (five on the right and five on the left), the gold flower-shaped ornaments, lamps, and tongs, 50 the pure gold bowls, trimming shears, basins, pans, and censers, and the gold door sockets for the inner sanctuary (the most holy place) and for the doors of the main hall of the temple. 51 When King Solomon finished constructing the Lord’s temple, he#tn Heb “Solomon.” The proper name has been replaced by the pronoun (“he”) in the translation for stylistic reasons. put the holy items that belonged to his father David (the silver, gold, and other articles) in the treasuries of the Lord’s temple.
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