1 Kings

1 Kings 7

It is incredible that Solomon built the temple in 7 years but then spent 13 years on his palace.  The details show how extravagant this must have been.  In addition, he built his wife, Pharaoh's daughter, a home also.  There may have been some overlap in these building projects, but we can see how many people, how much money and how much time was devoted to building in the first part of Solomon's reign.

Solomon brough Hiram from Tyre to do his metal work.  Hiram was half Jewish and skilled in metalwork but also filled with wisdom and understanding.  The largest project for Hiram was the pillars of the temple.  These were named of Jachin and Boaz; the names mean "he shall establish" and "in it is strength" and this may be the promises David passed on to Solomon.  These pillars served no structural purpose but instead served as a reminder to all who would pass between them.  They were a constant visual reminder that they were established by God in His strength.

Hiram furnished the temple making the bronze sea.  This basin measured fifteen feet across and seven feet high.  This basin held two thousand baths which was about twenty thousand gallons.  Next Hiram made ten ornate carts with ten basins on them.  These ten lavers that were 6 feet across and held about four hundred gallons each.  Hiram then went on to make the other utensils in the temple.  The plain of Jordan must have been the perfect place to make clay molds to cast this metal.  Transporting and setting these items in the temple must have been a chore. 

Hiram then went on to do the gold work in the temple making the furnishing and utensils.  This was quite a work for Hiram and likely took many years.  This completed the building and furnishing of the temple. 

©2016 Doug Ford