1 Kings 7:1-26

7:1 | A chapter division obscures this contrasting statement: but Solomon took thirteen years to build his own house (the palace) – nearly twice as long as he took to build the house of God. This may indicate a lack of planning with his own construction, but many scholars believe it was because he lavished more wealth and beauty on his own dwelling than he did on the temple. House refers to the entire complex of five buildings.

7:2-11 | Everything except the roofs of Solomon’s palace complex was built of costly stones, including the foundation. Palestinian limestone can be cut with a saw when freshly quarried; it hardens upon exposure to the elements.

7:13-14 | Solomon sent specifically for Huram, the master craftsman. His similarities with Bezalel, who oversaw the craftsmanship of the tabernacle and created many of its objects, are striking, right down to both men being filled with wisdom (Ex. 36:1). God’s people can never accomplish great works without the skill God provides. The church needs the talents of those with artistic gifts just as it does those with gifts of leading or teaching.

7:15-22 | The names of the two pillars of bronze served as a visible testimony to the stability of the Davidic dynasty: Jachin means “He Will Establish” and Boaz means “In the Strength Of” or “In Him Is Strength.”

7:23-26 | The Sea was a round bronze bowl 15 feet wide and seven and one-half feet high. This is where the priests cleansed themselves before and after they performed their duties. The two thousand baths is roughly equivalent to nearly 12,000 gallons of water.