1 Kings Chapter 7
7:1. The time required to finish Solomon' s house was nearly twice as long as the time for the temple, due to the many
buildings that made up the palace complex. According to 9:10, Solomon had apparently finished the temple before
undertaking the construction of his palace and its surrounding buildings, because 20 years is given as the time for the
whole project. Solomon had put God's house before that of his own. (By way of contrast, cf. Hag. 1:4.) The
architectural descriptions of the temple and the various edifies of the palace complex have been illuminated by ongoing
archeological excavations in Syro-Palestine and southern Turkey.
7:2-8. The sequence of buildings in the palace complex is given in the order of approach to the palace: verses 2-5, the
house of the forest of Lebanon (apparently used as an armory, cf. 10:16, 17 with Is. 22:8); verse 6, the porch of pillars
(apparently a colonnaded entry hall); verse 7, the porch of judgment (or throne hall, used as a place of justice where
the king personally heard problem cases); and verse 8, a special palace for Pharaoh's daughter (cf. 9:24 and the note
on 3:1). The chronicler adds that Pharaoh's daughter was quartered in a private residence due to the sacredness of
Solomon' s palace because of its reception of the ark of God (2 Chr. 8:11). See the further the note on 1 Samuel 4:3.
7:12. The great court was a large outer court that encircled the entire temple and palace complex. The inner court
surrounded the temple. (See the note on 6:36.) According to 2 Kings 11:19, access from the palace complex to the
temple led through a gate called the gate of the guard.
7:13, 14. This Hiram is not the Phoenician king but a skilled craftsmen from Tyre. His mother was an Israelite who had
married a Phoenician artisan, from whom young Hiram had doubtless learned his craft. Hiram had become a master
craftsmen in his own right. See the notes on 2 Chronicles 2:13, 14.
7:15-22. The nature of the two pillars of brass before the porch of the temple (cf. 2 Chr. 3:17) has been abundantly
illustrated by excavations from all areas dealing with the ancient Near East. Their names, Jachin ("He Establishes") and
Boaz ("In Him Is Strength"), may well reflect Solomon' s humble dependence upon God, the Author of the Davidic
covenant. The accuracy of the height of the two pillars is confirmed by a comparison with 2 Kings 25:17 and Jeremiah
52:21. The measurement given in 2 Chronicles 3:15 was apparently miscopied.
7:23-39. The molten sea was cast in one bronze piece by Hiram. It was set upon twelve bronze oxen (or bulls), which
were later removed by Ahaz who replaced them with a stone base (2 Kin. 16:17). The sea took the place of the laver of
the tabernacle and was used for the ritual washing of the priests. Five moveable bronze basins stood on either side of
the molten sea, which were used for rinsing of the burnt offerings (cf. Ex. 30:17-21 with 2 Chr. 4:6). The quantity of
water held by the molten sea is given here as two thousand baths, probably the correct figure in the light of its
measurements. The "three thousand baths" of 2 Chronicles 4:5 was probably miscopied.
7:40-47. The verses contain a summary of the work done by Hiram the craftsmen. The account here does not mention
the brass altar (cf. 2 Chr. 4:1). See the note on 2 Chronicles 2:14.
7:48-50. These are items for the Holy Place of the temple. The altar of gold replaced the altar of incense in the
tabernacle (Ex. 30:2-4). The table of gold was equivalent to the table of the showbread (Ex. 25:23-40). Although only
one table is mentioned here, there were actually 10 such tables (2 Chr. 4:8). Apparently the 10, together with their
articles, were considered as one unit (cf. 2 Chr. 29:18). Instead of the one golden lampstand of the tabernacle (Ex.
25:31-40), 10 lampstands were set in the Holy Place of the temple.
7:51. The treasures were probably stored in one of the side chambers of the temple (cf. 6:5-10).
1 Kings Chapter 8
8:4. For the significance of the ark of the covenant, see the note on 6:16-22. Although the ark was now in permanent
residence, the final abiding presence of God among His people would not occur here in Solomon' s temple (cf. Ezek.
10:18, 19; 11:22, 23). The chronicler reports that the bringing in of the ark was accompanied by great rejoicing, praise,
and song (2 Chr. 5:11-13).
8:9. Only the two tables of stone were now kept within the ark (cf. Heb. 9:4). The presence of the tables of stone, on
which were written the Ten Commandments, was a constant reminder of God's covenant with the children of Israel to
make them a holy nation and a kingdom of priests (cf. Ex. 19:6, 9; Deut. 5).
8:10-12. As the glory of the Lord had filled the tabernacle at its inauguration (Ex. 40:34, 35), so also it fills the temple.
Rabbinic scholars spoke of the visible presence of God's dwelling with His people as the shekinah glory had been with
Israel at Sinai, had gone with them through the wilderness wanderings, and had led them into the Promised Land.
Although it would later leave the temple (Ezek. 10:18, 19), it would return to the millennial temple (Ezek. 43:1-5) and to
His redeemed people Israel (Is. 4:5). However, before that future day, God again tabernacled among His people in the
person of His Son, Jesus Christ (John 1:14) who, having secured man's redemption, now dwells within the believer,
whom He has taken into union with Himself (Col. 1:15-22, 27; 2:9, 10). Ultimately all believers will enjoy God's presence
throughout all eternity (Rev. 21:2, 3). Note that as " the glory of the Lord had filled" both tabernacle and temple at their
inauguration, so the Holy Spirit came in visible power to the church at its inception (Acts 2:1-4).
8:12-21. Solomon' s dedicatory address (cf. 2 Chr. 6:1-42) takes the form of praise to God for His faithfulness to His
people and to the terms covenant with David. All that Solomon had accomplished had really been done by God's hand
(v. 15).
8:22-53. According to 2 Chronicles 6:13, Solomon had a tall scaffold erected, so the people might see him clearly as
he knelt before God in prayer. Solomon's dedicatory prayer (cf. 2 Chr. 6:12-42) stresses God's faithfulness (vv. 22-25)
and the continuing need for His presence in mighty power among them (vv. 26-30). He follows his twofold general
prayer with seven specific requests: (1) for His righteous judgment (vv. 37-40); (2) for His forgiveness of sin after
defeat by the enemy (vv. 33, 34); (3) for healing of the land in time of drought (vv. 35, 36); (4) for removal of various
distresses in the land (vv. 37-40); (5) for hearing the prayer of the non-Israelites (vv. 41-43); (6) for hearing the prayer
of the soldiers sent off to foreign wars (vv. 44, 45); and (7) for hearing the prayer of His people when their sin has
taken them into captivity (vv. 46-53). The chronicler reports that Solomon closed his dedicatory prayer with a plea for
God's salvation and goodness to be realized by His people, and with the invoking of God's grace so as to remember
the mercies of David (2 Chr. 6:40-42).
8:54-61. Solomon capped off his prayer with dedicatory blessing on the congregation of Israel. In doing so he praises
God for giving rest unto his people (vv. 54, 56; cf. Deut. 12:9-25). However, due to Israel's sin, that rest was incomplete
(cf. Ps. 95:7-11) and would be entered into only through the Messiah, Jesus Christ (Heb. 3, 4). Solomon again invokes
God's continued presence with His people (vv. 57, 58), working out His good pleasure through them to all men (vv.
59-61), and closes his prayer with a challenge to Israel to be perfect with the Lord, that is, fully and wholly committed to
His person and standards (cf. Matt. 5:48) for a growing spiritual maturity. The chronicler reports that Solomon' s prayer
and benediction were greeted with the coming of fire from heaver to consume the sacrifice on the altar (2 Chr. 7:1-3).
8:62-65. The dedication ends with many special sacrifices. All of this took place at the Feast of Tabernacles (v. 2),
which was lengthened to two weeks to make this double festal period.
8:66. Worship should end on a positive note of joyfulness, praise, and thankfulness to God for all His goodness.
1 Kings Chapter 9
9:2. God had appeared to Solomon previously at Gibeon (3:5). (See the note on 6:11-13.) Additional details as to
God's challenge to Solomon on this occasion are recorded in 2 Chronicles 7:11-22.
9:3-9. The Lord formally applies the terms of the Davidic covenant to Solomon with the reminder that although the
covenant is unconditional, the blessings of that covenant are individually realizable only through the son of David, who
is faithful and obedient. See the note on 2 Samuel 7:12-16.
9:13. Hiram was dissatisfied with Solomon' s payment to him in border towns and so returned their jurisdiction to him
(cf. 2 Chr. 8:2). The traditional meaning of Cabul comes from Josephus, who reads the word kabal "as nothing."
Apparently some other means of payment must have been agreed upon, for the two kings remained friends.
9:15. For Millo (cf. v. 24), see the note on 2 Samuel 5:9. Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer, along with Jerusalem, were key
Solomonic cities. Each has been carefully excavated and shown to have common characteristics clearly datable to
Solomon' s era. These four cities held strategic importance not only militarily but commercially.
9:16. Gezer had never been taken by the tribe of Ephraim. It came under control of Israel as a wedding present from
Pharaoh king of Egypt on the occasion of Solomon' s wedding to the Pharaoh's daughter (cf. 3:1).
9:20-23. For Solomon' s instituting of forced labor, see the notes on 5:13, 14 and 5:15, 16.
9:24. For the separate palace for Pharaoh's daughter, see the note on 7:2-8.
9:25. Three times in a year refers to the three great national feasts: Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, and Tabernacles
(cf. Deut. 16:16). The king led his people in bringing sacrifices. God's leader ought always to guide his people to a full
worship experience.
9:26. Ezion-geber was situated at the head of the modern Gulf of Aqaba. Solomon' s commercial enterprises with King
Hiram of Tyre were doubtless very profitable for both men (cf. 10:11, 12; 2 Chr. 8:17, 18; 9:21).
9:28. The precise location of Ophir is unknown. It lay south through the Gulf of Aqaba and the Red Sea. Locations in
Arabia, the Persian Gulf, eastern Africa, and India have been suggested. It may have been an important international
center for commercial exchange.
1 Kings Chapter 10
10:1, 2. Sheba was the home of the Sabeans who lived in the area of modern Yemen in southwestern Arabia. It was an
important commercial area, famous for its trading in spices, perfumes, gold, and precious stones. The ancient south
Arabians sent their wares overland to far distant places and enjoyed a virtual monopoly on many items, such as
frankincense and myrrh. Solomon' s well-known wisdom (4:34) may well have been carried there by sailors from
Eziongeber (9:26-28), or by their own merchants as they returned home. The queen of Sheba apparently wanted to
validate the authenticity of Solomon' s fabled wisdom (vv. 3, 4). Christ Himself commended her search for truth and
knowledge, while castigating the scribes who should have recognized that in Christ the Messiah a greater than
Solomon was in their midst (Matt. 12:42).
10:3. The queen of Sheba' s hard questions (cf. v. 1) were typical of Arabic thinking. The literature of Arabia is filled
with many riddles and proverbs. Apparently her questions were not merely mental gymnastics but were born out of a
sincere desire to learn (cf. v. 2).
10:4-7. The queen of Sheba was impressed not only by Solomon' s great intelligence and knowledge, but by the
practical end to which his wisdom had been applied.
10:8, 9. The queen recognized that all Solomon was and had, as possibly Solomon himself had testified, was from God.
10:14. In a sense, the rest of this chapter is an attestation to Solomon' s God-given wisdom in action.
10:17. For the house of the forest of Lebanon, see the note on 7:2-8.
10:22. A navy of Tharshish (or " Tarshish ships" ) probably designates a type of merchant ship designed to carry ore
and precious commodities. Various ports in the ancient world were designated by similar names, such as Tartessus in
southern Spain and a spot near Nora on the island of Sardinia. Isaiah connects Tharshish with Greek seafaring
commerce (Is. 23:1; 66:19; cf Gen. 10:4). Some have attempted to link similar trading enterprises to such faraway
places as the western Mediterranean seaports, the Atlantic seaboard, or the western hemisphere. Solomon' s
Tharshish ships put on from Ezion-geber (9:26; 2 Chr. 8:17, 18). The Hebrew word traditionally translated as peacocks
is probably better rendered "monkey" or "baboon."