1An seinem eignen Hause baute Schlomo dreizehn Jahre, da hatte er all sein Haus allbeendet. 2Er baute das Libanonwaldhaus, seine Länge hundert Ellen, seine Breite fünfzig Ellen, seine Höhe dreißig Ellen, auf vier Reihen von Zedernsäulen, behaune Zedernbalken auf den Säulen, 3überdacht wars mit Zeder, obenauf auf den Bohlenwangen, die quer auf den Säulen waren, fünfundvierzig die, - fünfzehn die Reihe: 4Und Ausluge drei Reihen, Durchblick gegen Durchblick, dreimal. 5Alle Einlasse und Durchblicke aber Gevierte im Auslug, Durchblick genau gegen Durchblick, dreimal. 6Und den Saal der Säulen machte er: seine Länge fünfzig Ellen, seine Breite dreißig Ellen, der Saal jenen voran, dann wieder Säulen und eine Stufenschwelle denen voran, 7und den Stuhlsaal, wo er richtete, machte er daran, den Saal des Gerichts, und überdacht wars mit Zeder von Estrichrand zu Estrichrand. 8Sein eignes Haus, wo er seinen Sitz hatte, im andern Hof, einwärts vom Saal, war in der Machweise gleich. Und ein Haus machte er der Tochter Pharaos, die Schlomo genommen hatte, diesem Saal gleich. 9All diese aus kostbaren Steinen, nach Quadermaß, mit der Säge zugesägt von hausbinnen und von außen, vom Grund bis zu den Auskragungen - von außen ab bis an den großen Hof - , 10und gegründet mit kostbaren Steinen, großen Steinen: Steinen von zehn Ellen und Steinen von acht Ellen, 11obendrauf kostbare Steine nach Quadermaßen, dann Zeder. 12Und der große Hof: ringsum drei Reihen Quadern und eine Reihe behauner Zederbalken, so auch am innern Hof SEINES Hauses und an dem des Saalhauses. 13Der König Schlomo sandte, er ließ den Chirom von Tyrus holen, 14Sohn einer Witfrau war der vom Zweig Naftali, sein Vater ein tyrischer Mann, ein Erzschmied. Er war erfüllt mit der Weisheit, mit der Unterscheidungskraft, mit der Erkenntnis, allerart Arbeit in Erz zu machen. Er kam zum König Schlomo und machte all seine Arbeit. 15Er bildete die zwei Säulen von Erz, die Höhe der einen Säule achtzehn Ellen, umringen konnte sie ein Faden von zwölf Ellen, so die zweite Säule. 16Und die beiden Bekrönungen machte er, sie auf die Häupter der Säulen zu geben, in Erzguß, die Höhe der einen Bekrönung fünf Ellen und die Höhe der zweiten Bekrönung fünf Ellen, 17Gitterschmuck in Gittermachart, Zipfelgehänge in Schnurmachart, für die Bekrönungen, die auf dem Haupt der Säulen, sieben für die eine Bekrönung, sieben für die zweite Bekrönung, 18er machte Granatäpfel, zwei Reihen ringsum an das eine Gitter, und ebenso machte ers für die zweite Bekrönung, - zur Umhüllung der Bekrönungen, der auf dem Haupt der Säulen. 19Und die Bekrönungen, die auf dem Haupt der Säulen, erhielten noch Liliengemächt - erst am Flursaal - , vier Ellen. 20Die Bekrönungen über den zwei Säulen nämlich standen auch noch oben hervor, gleichlaufs hervor aus der Bauchung, quer um die das Gitter war. Der Granatäpfel aber zweihundert, in Reihen rings an jeder der zwei Bekrönungen. 21Er richtete die Säulen am Flursaal der Halle auf, er errichtete die rechte Säule, er rief ihren Namen Jakin: Er feste es ..., er errichtete die linke Säule, er rief ihren Namen Boas: ...in Trotzgewalt! 22Und als dann auf dem Haupt der Säulen das Liliengemächt war, war die Arbeit der Säulen ganz getan. 23Er machte das Meer, gegossen, von seinem Rand bis zu seinem Rand zehn nach der Elle, gerundet ringsum, seine Höhe fünf nach der Elle, rings umringen konnte es ein Meßstrick von dreißig nach der Elle. 24Unterhalb seines Randes Buckel, rings es umringend, zehn auf die Elle, umzirkend das Meer ringsum, zwei Reihen die Buckel, in seinem Guß mitgegossen. 25Es stand auf zwölf Rindern, mitternachtwärts gewendet: drei, meerwärts gewendet: drei, mittagwärts gewendet: drei, aufgangwärts gewendet: drei, das Meer obenauf auf ihnen, und ihre Hinterteile einwärts. 26Eine Faustbreit war seine Dicke, sein Rand wie eines Becherrands Machart: Lilienblume, zweitausend Schaff faßte es. 27Er machte die Fahrgestelle, zehn, aus Erz, die Länge des einzelnen Fahrgestells vier nach der Elle, seine Breite vier nach der Elle, seine Höhe drei nach der Elle. 28Und dies ist die Machart des Fahrgestells: Sie hatten Schlußplatten, und noch Schlußplatten zwischen den Versprossungen. 29Auf den Platten, denen zwischen den Versprossungen, Löwen, Rinder und Cheruben, und ebenso an den Versprossungen, oberhalb und unterhalb der Löwen und der Rinder, Gewinde in Pochmachart. 30Vier Räder von Erz hatte je ein Fahrgestell mit Achsen von Erz, die zugehörigen vier Eckkanten, an denen waren Schultern, die Schultern quer an den Gewindeträgern angegossen, unterhalb des Kessels. 31Dessen Hohlmund war innerhalb der Umkrönung und noch eine Elle oberhalb, deren Hohlmund wieder war ein Rund, selber in der Machart eines Gestells, eine Elle und die Hälfte einer Elle, und auch an diesem Hohlmund war Ritzwerk, die zugehörigen Schlußplatten aber waren im Geviert, nicht im Rund. 32Die Vierzahl der Räder war unterhalb der Schlußplatten, und die Haltegriffe der Räder waren am Fahrgestell, die Höhe des einzelnen Rads aber war eine Elle und die Hälfte einer Elle, 33und die Machart der Räder war wie Wagenradmachart, ihre Halter, ihre Felgen, ihre Speichen, ihre Naben, alles gegossen. 34Und die vier Schultern waren an den vier Spitzen des einzelnen Fahrgestells, aus dem Fahrgestell hervor waren seine Schultern. 35Im Haupt des Fahrgestells also war rings, die Hälfte einer Elle an Höhe, ein Rund. Was aber über dem Haupt des Fahrgestells war, dessen Haltegriffe und dessen Schlußplatten waren aus diesem hervor, 36er grub auf die Flächen, seine Haltegriffe nämlich, und auch auf seine Schlußplatten Cheruben, Löwen und Palmen, und nach dem Bloßraum eines jeden Gewinde ringsum. 37Auf diese Weise machte er die zehn Fahrgestelle, ein Guß, ein Maß, ein Riß für sie alle. 38Er machte zehn Kessel von Erz - vierzig Schaff faßte der einzelne Kessel - , vier nach der Elle der einzelne Kessel, je einen Kessel je auf ein Fahrgestell, für die zehn Fahrgestelle. 39Er gab die Fahrgestelle fünf auf die Schulter des Hauses an die Rechte und fünf auf die Schulter des Hauses an seine Linke, und das Meer gab er an die rechte Schulter des Hauses, ostwärts, gegen Mittag. 40Chirom machte auch die Töpfe, die Schaufeln und die Sprengen.. Chirom war nun allzuende damit, alle Arbeit zu machen, die er für den König Schlomo zu SEINEM Hause machte: 41Säulen, zwei, die Wulstbekrönungen, die auf dem Haupte der Säulen, zwei, die Gitter, zwei: die zwei Wülste der Bekrönungen, der auf dem Haupte der Säulen, zu umhüllen, 42die Granatäpfel, vierhundert, für die zwei Gitter, zwei Reihen Granatäpfel für je ein Gitter, zu Umhüllung der zwei Wülste der Bekrönungen, deren auf den zwei Säulen, 43die Fahrgestelle, zehn, die Kessel, zehn, auf den Fahrgestellen, 44das Meer, das eine, die Rinder, zwölf, unter dem Meer, 45die Töpfe, die Schaufeln, die Sprengen, alle diese Geräte, die Chirom für den König Schlomo zu SEINEM Hause machte: geglättetes Erz. 46Im Jordangau hieß der König sie gießen, im dicksten Erdboden, zwischen Ssukkot und Zartan. 47Schlomo legte all die Geräte nieder, - vor der sehr, sehr großen Menge ward das Gewicht des Erzes nicht ausgeforscht. 48Auch machte Schlomo alle Geräte, die in SEINEM Hause waren: die goldne Statt, den Tisch, darauf das Brot der Innensicht war, aus Gold, 49die Leuchter, fünf zur Rechten und fünf zur Linken, vor der Zelle, aus geplattetem Gold, der Blust, die Lichte und die Zänglein aus Gold, 50die Schalen, die Zwicken, die Sprengen, die Kellen und die Pfannen aus geplattetem Gold, die Angeln zu den Türen des innersten Hauses zum Heiligenden der Heiligtume, zu den Türen des Hauses zur Halle, aus Gold. 51Als nun alle Arbeit, die der König Schlomo an SEINEM Haus machen ließ, gefertigt war, ließ Schlomo die Darheiligungen seines Vaters Dawid kommen, das Silber, das Gold und die Geräte, er gabs in die Schatzkammern SEINES Hauses.
Matthew Henry - Complete Commentary 1 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,
Matt 6:33. 1. He built a house for himself (
1Kgs 7:1),
where he dwelt, 1Kgs 7:8. 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
the house of the forest at Lebanon (
1Kgs 7:2), 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
1Kgs 7:7) 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 (
1Kgs 9:19), and we read of the tower of Lebanon, which looks towards Damascus (
Cant 7:4), 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 (
1Kgs 7:2,
1Kgs 7:3), and, being designed for pleasant prospects, there were three tiers of windows on each side,
light against light (
1Kgs 7:4,
1Kgs 7:5), or, as it may be read,
prospect against prospect. 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 (
1Kgs 7:6), 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
hewing out her seven pillars (
Prov 9:1), for the shelter of those that, three verses before (
1Kgs 8:34), are said to
watch daily at her gates and to wait at the posts of her doors. 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 (
placita coram ipso rege tenenda -
causes were to be adjusted in the king's presence ), and this was richly wainscoted with cedar, from the floor to the roof,
1Kgs 7:7. He had there also
another court within the porch, nearer his house, of similar work, for his attendants to walk in,
1Kgs 7:8. 5. He built a house for his wife, where she kept her court,
1Kgs 7:8. It is said to be
like the porch, 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.
The wonderful magnificence of all these buildings is taken notice of,
1Kgs 7:9, etc. 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 (
1Kgs 7:10), and the stones of the building were costly for the workmanship, hewn and sawn, and in all respects finely wrought,
1Kgs 7:9,
1Kgs 7:11. The court of his own house was like that of the temple (
1Kgs 7:12, compare
1Kgs 6:36); so well did he like the model of God's courts that he made his own by it.
13 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
iron for things of iron, 1Chr 29:2. What those things were we are not told, but some of the things of brass are here described and the rest mentioned.
I. The brasier whom Solomon employed to preside in this part of the work was Hiram, or Huram (
2Chr 4:11), who was by his mother's side an Israelite, of the tribe of Naphtali, by his father's side a man of Tyre,
1Kgs 7:14. 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.
II. The brass he made use of was the best he could get. All the brazen vessels were of
bright brass (
1Kgs 7:45),
good brass, so the Chaldee, that which was strongest and looked finest. God, who is the best, must be served and honoured with the best.
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 (
1Kgs 7:46), and Solomon would not have this dirty smoky work done in or near Jerusalem.
IV. The quantity was not accounted for. The vessels were
unnumbered (so it may be read,
1Kgs 7:47, as well as
unweighed ),
because they were exceedingly numerous, and it would have been an endless thing to keep the account of them;
neither was the weight of the brass, 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.
V. Some particulars of the brass-work are described.
1. Two brazen pillars, which were set up
in the porch of the temple (
1Kgs 7:21), 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 (
1Kgs 7:21):
Jachin -
he will establish; and
Boaz -
in him is strength. 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:
Jachin -
God will fix this roving mind. It is a good thing that the heart be established with grace. We find ourselves weak and unable for holy duties, but this is our encouragement:
Boaz -
in him is our strength, who works in us both to will and to do.
I will go in the strength of the Lord God. 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 (
2Kgs 25:13,
2Kgs 25:17), which had been the tokens of its establishment, and would have been so if they had not forsaken God.
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,
1Kgs 7:23, etc. 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,
a fountain opened, Zech 13:1.
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,
1Kgs 7:27, etc. 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,
1Kgs 7:39. Each laver contained forty baths, that is, about ten barrels,
1Kgs 7:38. Those must be very
clean that bear the vessels of the Lord. 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.
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
1Sam 2:14); also shovels, wherewith they took out the ashes of the altar. Some think the word signifies
flesh-hooks, 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,
Exod 38:3. 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.
48 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
one, for Christ and his intercession are so: but he made ten golden tables,
2Chr 4:8 (though here mention is made of that one only
on which the show-bread was, 1Kgs 7:48, which we may suppose was larger than the rest and to which the rest were as side-boards), and
ten golden candlesticks (
1Kgs 7:49), 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 (
1Kgs 7:50), 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,
1Kgs 7:51. 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.