1 Kings 7

2 the house of the forest of Lebanon. Probably a palace in Jerusalem, to which this name was given on account of the large quantity of cedarwood employed in its construction. This edifice and the “king’s house” (1), and “the house of Pharaoh’s daughter” (8), were different parts of one large pile of building, according to the usual style of Oriental palaces; and all are included in the statement in ver. 1.

3. And it was, etc. Rather, “And it was covered with cedar above, upon the side-chambers, which were upon the pillars, forty-five, being fifteen in a row.”

5. And all the doors, etc. Rather, “And all the doors (between the chambers) and posts were square, with beam” (not arched), etc. The house seems to have had three rows of galleries, formed not by arches, but by beams laid upon pillars, and giving an outlook into the central court.

14 of the tribe of Naphtali. In the parallel passage (2 Chron. ii. 13) Hiram is called “the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan.” His mother, who had married a Tyrian, was probably descended from the colony of Danites who seized upon Laish, which lay on the border of the tribe of Naphtali (see Judg. xviii 2, 28, 29); and she might therefore be spoken of as belonging to either tribe.

15 eighteen cubits high. 27 feet. Here, and in Jer. iii. 21, the height of the pillars alone is given. In 2 Chron. iii. 15 (thirty-five cubits high) that of the capitals and of the pedestals on which they stood is included.

20 the belly. Probably the swell of the leaf of the lily (cf. “bellying sails”).

24 knops. i.e., “buds” (cp. German knospe), perhaps of fruit, or wild cucumber.

26 two thousand baths. About 16,000 gallons. In 2 Chron. iv. 5 the number is three thousand, with which Josephus agrees. The brasen sea, with the smaller lavers, was for the use of the priests, in washing themselves, in conducting the sacrifices, and in keeping the courts of the Temple clean. The duty of filling it was performed by the Gibeonites, or Nethinim, who drew water for the house of God. Its typical significance was the same as that of the laver of the tabernacle: see Exod. xxx. 17.

29 additions made of thin work. Framework.

30 plates of brass. Read “axies.”

40 lavers. Pots.

41 bowls of the chapters. They are called “pommels” in 2 Chron. iv. 12. “Capitals on the tops of the columns” (Moffatt).

46. Zarthan. Mentioned also in Josh. iii. 16. Near Succoth, in the valley of Jordan (west), where the clay was good for moulding.

51 among the treasures. Rather, “in the treasure-rooms” or “store-rooms.”