1 Kings · WEB-C
1 Kings
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Solomon was building his own house thirteen years, and he finished all his house. See also: 1 Kings 9:102 Chronicles 8:1Matthew 6:33For he built the House of the Forest of Lebanon. Its length was one hundred cubits, its width fifty cubits, and its height thirty cubits, on four rows of cedar pillars, with cedar beams on the pillars. See also: 1 Kings 10:172 Chronicles 9:161 Kings 10:21It was covered with cedar above over the forty-five beams that were on the pillars, fifteen in a row. See also: 1 Kings 6:5There were beams in three rows, and window was facing window in three ranks. See also: Isaiah 54:12Ezekiel 40:361 Kings 6:4All the doors and posts were made square with beams; and window was facing window in three ranks. He made the hall of pillars. Its length was fifty cubits and its width thirty cubits, with a porch before them, and pillars and a threshold before them. See also: Ezekiel 41:25-261 Kings 7:12He made the porch of the throne where he was to judge, even the porch of judgment; and it was covered with cedar from floor to floor. See also: Proverbs 20:8Psalms 122:51 Kings 3:28His house where he was to dwell, the other court within the porch, was of the same construction. He made also a house for Pharaoh’s daughter (whom Solomon had taken as wife), like this porch. See also: 2 Chronicles 8:111 Kings 3:11 Kings 9:24All these were of costly stones, even of stone cut according to measure, sawed with saws, inside and outside, even from the foundation to the coping, and so on the outside to the great court. See also: 1 Kings 7:10-111 Kings 5:17The foundation was of costly stones, even great stones, stones of ten cubits and stones of eight cubits. See also: Revelation 21:19-20Isaiah 28:16Isaiah 54:11Above were costly stones, even cut stone, according to measure, and cedar wood. See also: 1 Peter 2:5Ephesians 2:20-22The great court around had three courses of cut stone with a course of cedar beams, like the inner court of the LORD’s house and the porch of the house. See also: 1 Kings 6:361 Kings 7:6Acts 3:11King Solomon sent and brought Hiram out of Tyre. See also: 2 Chronicles 4:111 Kings 7:402 Chronicles 2:13-14He was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in bronze; and he was filled with wisdom and understanding and skill to work all works in bronze. He came to King Solomon and performed all his work. See also: 2 Chronicles 2:142 Chronicles 4:16Exodus 31:2-6For he fashioned the two pillars of bronze, eighteen cubits high apiece; and a line of twelve cubits encircled either of them. See also: Jeremiah 52:212 Chronicles 3:15-171 Kings 7:21He made two capitals of molten bronze to set on the tops of the pillars. The height of the one capital was five cubits, and the height of the other capital was five cubits. See also: 2 Chronicles 4:12-13Exodus 38:19Exodus 38:17There were nets of checker work and wreaths of chain work for the capitals which were on the top of the pillars: seven for the one capital, and seven for the other capital. See also: 2 Kings 25:17Exodus 39:15-18Exodus 28:14So he made the pillars; and there were two rows of pomegranates around the one network, to cover the capitals that were on the top of the pillars; and he did so for the other capital. See also: Exodus 28:24-25Exodus 28:14Exodus 28:22The capitals that were on the top of the pillars in the porch were of lily work, four cubits. See also: 1 Kings 7:221 Kings 6:181 Kings 6:32-35There were capitals above also on the two pillars, close by the belly which was beside the network. There were two hundred pomegranates in rows around the other capital. See also: 2 Chronicles 3:162 Chronicles 4:13Jeremiah 52:22-23He set up the pillars at the porch of the temple. He set up the right pillar and called its name Jachin; and he set up the left pillar and called its name Boaz. See also: 2 Chronicles 3:171 Kings 6:32 Samuel 7:12On the tops of the pillars was lily work. So the work of the pillars was finished. He made the molten sea ten cubits from brim to brim, round in shape. Its height was five cubits; and a line of thirty cubits encircled it. See also: 2 Kings 25:132 Chronicles 4:2Jeremiah 52:17Under its brim around there were buds which encircled it for ten cubits, encircling the sea. The buds were in two rows, cast when it was cast. See also: 1 Kings 6:182 Chronicles 4:3Exodus 37:17-22It stood on twelve oxen, three looking toward the north, and three looking toward the west, and three looking toward the south, and three looking toward the east; and the sea was set on them above, and all their hindquarters were inward. See also: Jeremiah 52:202 Chronicles 4:4-5Luke 24:47It was a hand width thick. Its brim was worked like the brim of a cup, like the flower of a lily. It held two thousand baths. See also: 2 Chronicles 4:51 Kings 7:381 Kings 7:19He made the ten bases of bronze. The length of one base was four cubits, four cubits its width, and three cubits its height. See also: 2 Chronicles 4:142 Kings 25:13Jeremiah 52:17The work of the bases was like this: they had panels; and there were panels between the ledges; and on the panels that were between the ledges were lions, oxen, and cherubim; and on the ledges there was a pedestal above; and beneath the lions and oxen were wreaths of hanging work. See also: Revelation 5:51 Peter 2:5Ezekiel 1:10Every base had four bronze wheels and axles of bronze; and its four feet had supports. The supports were cast beneath the basin, with wreaths at the side of each. See also: Ezekiel 3:13Ezekiel 1:15-21Ezekiel 10:10-13Its opening within the capital and above was a cubit. Its opening was round like the work of a pedestal, a cubit and a half; and also on its opening were engravings, and their panels were square, not round. The four wheels were underneath the panels; and the axles of the wheels were in the base. The height of a wheel was a cubit and half a cubit. The work of the wheels was like the work of a chariot wheel. Their axles, their rims, their spokes, and their hubs were all of cast metal. See also: Ezekiel 1:18Ezekiel 1:16There were four supports at the four corners of each base. Its supports were of the base itself. In the top of the base there was a round band half a cubit high; and on the top of the base its supports and its panels were the same. On the plates of its supports and on its panels, he engraved cherubim, lions, and palm trees, each in its space, with wreaths all around. See also: 1 Kings 7:291 Kings 6:291 Kings 6:35He made the ten bases in this way: all of them had one casting, one measure, and one form. He made ten basins of bronze. One basin contained forty baths. Every basin measured four cubits. One basin was on every one of the ten bases. See also: Revelation 7:142 Chronicles 4:6-22Hebrews 10:22He set the bases, five on the right side of the house and five on the left side of the house. He set the sea on the right side of the house eastward and toward the south. See also: 2 Chronicles 4:62 Chronicles 4:10Hiram made the pots, the shovels, and the basins. So Hiram finished doing all the work that he worked for King Solomon in the LORD’s house: See also: 2 Chronicles 4:11-162 Chronicles 4:82 Kings 25:14-15the two pillars; the two bowls of the capitals that were on the top of the pillars; the two networks to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were on the top of the pillars; See also: 2 Chronicles 4:121 Kings 7:15-22the four hundred pomegranates for the two networks; two rows of pomegranates for each network, to cover the two bowls of the capitals that were on the pillars; See also: 1 Kings 7:20the ten bases; the ten basins on the bases; the one sea; the twelve oxen under the sea; See also: 1 Kings 7:231 Kings 7:25the pots; the shovels; and the basins. All of these vessels, which Hiram made for King Solomon for the LORD’s house, were of burnished bronze. See also: Exodus 27:3Exodus 38:32 Chronicles 4:16The king cast them in the plain of the Jordan, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarethan. See also: Joshua 3:16Genesis 33:172 Chronicles 4:17Solomon left all the vessels unweighed, because there were so many of them. The weight of the bronze could not be determined. See also: 1 Chronicles 22:141 Chronicles 22:31 Chronicles 22:16Solomon made all the vessels that were in the LORD’s house: the golden altar and the table that the show bread was on, of gold; See also: Exodus 37:10-16Exodus 39:362 Chronicles 4:8and the lamp stands, five on the right side and five on the left, in front of the inner sanctuary, of pure gold; and the flowers, the lamps, and the tongs, of gold; See also: 2 Chronicles 4:7Zechariah 4:1-3Zechariah 4:11-14the cups, the snuffers, the basins, the spoons, and the fire pans, of pure gold; and the hinges, both for the doors of the inner house, the most holy place, and for the doors of the house, of the temple, of gold. See also: 2 Chronicles 4:21-22Exodus 25:29Exodus 27:3Thus all the work that King Solomon did in the LORD’s house was finished. Solomon brought in the things which David his father had dedicated—the silver, the gold, and the vessels—and put them in the treasuries of the LORD’s house. See also: 2 Chronicles 5:12 Samuel 8:7-111 Chronicles 18:10-11
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Notes · Haydock (1859, public domain)31 notes
Notes in English 19th-century Catholic commentary by Fr. George Leo Haydock, shown as published.
These notes keep the polemics of their time: some speak harshly of the Jewish people or of other Christians. The Church teaches otherwise today. The Jewish people may not be blamed for the death of Christ (Nostra Aetate 4; Catechism 597–598), and Christians of other communities are our brothers and sisters in the Lord (Unitatis Redintegratio 3). Christian unity
1 Kings 7:1
Ver. 1. Thirteen. He was only twelve years and a half; since he finished both the temple and the palace in 20 years. C. ix. 10. Salien observes that Solomon's house was connected with the queen's, as well as with that part which was styled of the forest of Libanus, for their mutual recreation. A.C. 1023. The Rom.
Sept. places the 13 first verses at the end, v. 51. H.
↑ 11 Kings 7:2
Ver. 2. Libanus. So it was called, on account of the many cedar pillars brought from that mountain; or because many trees and shrubs were planted in the vicinity. C. --- Libanus might also be seen from it, and refreshing breezes be felt. Ar. Mont. --- The palace stood on the eastern part of Sion, and to the west of the temple. M. --- The vale between them had been filled up, at a vast expense, and a sort of bridge erected, which was called Mello. Thus the palace of David, on the west of Sion, and this of Solomon, served to protect the temple, and to keep the citizens in awe. Salien. --- Sanchez declines giving the dimensions of this palace, as they are not satisfactory. M. --- Here Solomon resided, and was served in gold, (C.) adorning his palace with shields and targets of the same precious metal. C. x. 16. 21. --- Cubits. The more sacred part of the temple was only 60, 20, and 30 cubits. C. vi. 2. But there were various other appendages and towers. This palace must have been very extensive. --- And four. Heb. "upon four rows of cedar pillars, with cedar beams upon the pillars." H. -- One row of these might be rather pilasters, against the wall; (v. 3,) so that there would be three covered galleries, before the apartments, each supported on 15 pillars. C.
↑ 21 Kings 7:4
Ver. 4. Set, &c. Heb. "and windows in three rows, over-against one another; (5) and all the doors and posts square with the windows: and light was against light, in three rows." H. --- The palace had three stories; but the galleries before it were of equal height with it.
↑ 41 Kings 7:6
Ver. 6. Porch. Sept. seem to retain the original word ulam, as they read ailam; whence our hall, and the Latin aula, may be derived. H. --- It was a court surrounded by pillars and galleries, in from of the palace. C. --- Another. Heb.
"the porch before them, (pillars) and the pillars, and the thick beam before them."
↑ 61 Kings 7:7
Ver. 7. Tob. Heb. "the other side." H. --- The eastern princes generally sit before their palace to give judgment; and hence that of the Ottoman emperors is styled the Porte, (C.) or "gate."
↑ 71 Kings 7:8
Ver. 8. House. In the form of a recess or alcove, at the end of one of the aforesaid porches, and probably in that which was nearer the palace. Guards would be stationed in the other. H. --- This is the idea which travellers have given us of the palaces in the East. They consisted of various apartments, galleries, and courts. Under the outward porch there are guards standing, in a double row; and hence there is a communication with other parts of the house, and with the apartments of the women, which are far removed, and inaccessible to strangers. The women still continue to have separate tents, or apartments; as they had in the days of Sara, Esther, Herodias, &c. Gen.
xxiv. Est. i. 11. Mat. xiv. 8. C. --- Pharao. Till it was finished, this lady had lodged in David's palace; though as it was deemed in a manner sacred, on account of the presence of the ark, it was judged expedient to remove her. 2 Par. viii. 11.
H. --- Perhaps she had begun to manifest some signs of a relapse towards idolatry, into which she is supposed chiefly to have induced her husband. C.
xi. 4. Salien.
↑ 81 Kings 7:12
Ver. 12. Cedar, in regular courses with the stones. C. vi. 36. Public places were often made in a circular form, and were thus rendered more beautiful. The palace of Solomon might have enclosed the court in this manner, or there were buildings on all the four sides, made of three courses of fine large stones, with the fourth of cedar beams, till the whole was completed. The ancients built for posterity, as we may perceive from the huge stones, well connected, which still reman in the ruins of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman architecture.
↑ 121 Kings 7:14
Ver. 14. Nephthali: 2 Par. (ii. 14,) we read of Dan. But the king of Tyre might be under a mistake, (Sanctius) or he may only insinuate that she lived at the city of that name, in the tribe of Nephthali. M. --- One of her husbands might be a Danite, (Grot.) though resident at Tyre. ---
Father, may also denote a master or officer; in which sense we read in Paral.
My father, Hiram.
H. S. Jer. Trad. M. --- If the woman married an idolater, it was contrary to the law: (C.) though Grotius maintains the contrary, when the free exercise of religion was granted.
↑ 141 Kings 7:15
Ver. 15. Eighteen. Both together are said in Paral. to be 35, as if half a cubit too much had been here assigned, which is not unusual with regard to imperfect numbers, v. 1. But Jeremias (lii. 21,) agrees with this passage; and the book of Paral. may not have included a cubit of solid metal at the base or plinth. A.
Lap. --- The rest was hollow. The chapiters of five cubits, and the bases, which were perhaps as large, are not contained in the 18 cubits, which might otherwise appear to be disproportionate with the circumference of 12 cubits.
The Egyptian pillars are sometimes very thick and low; and their temples bear a great resemblance with that of Solomon, than with those of the Greeks and Romans. C. --- Both. Heb. "the second," as if something similar had been observed of the first. C. --- But Sheni, signifies also "both, either," &c. M. ---
Prot. "did compass either of them about." H. --- Circles, at equal distances, adorned these pillars. Ex. xxvi. 32.
Athen. v. 9.
↑ 151 Kings 7:16
Ver. 16. Five. Comprising all the ornaments. The body was only three cubits, 4
K. xxv. 17. If we include the circles, which joined it to the pillar, it would be four; v. 19, and with the rose, and ornaments at the top, five cubits high.
Atheneus distinguishes three parts in the Egyptian chapiters; (1) next to the pillar, was seen a circle or wreath of flowers; (2) the stalk, out of which proceeded (3) a rose beginning to open. C. --- In the passages, which seem to contradict this text, the omission of the cornice or architrave, may cause the difference. M.
↑ 161 Kings 7:18
Ver. 18. The pillars. This word may have changed places with pomegranates.
↑ 181 Kings 7:19
Ver. 19. Of lily-work, seems also transposed. Calmet would translate, Heb. "and he made pomegranates, two rows round each net, to cover the chapiter, which was at the top of the pillar, and in, &c. (19) and the chapiter, which was above the pillars of the court, (or porch) four cubits high. And he made rows of 200
pomegranates, all round, to cover one of the crowns of the pillars, and he did the like for the other crown; (20) and he also made a chapiter, like a rose, (or lily) at the top of the pillars, above, and over-against the body, which was beyond the nets." The rose seemed to grow out of the pillar. The chapiters were not square, but of a circular form.
Pelletier supposes that these pillars were of the ancient Doric order. It is certain that all the chapiter was not in the form of a lily, as the Heb. would now insinuate, but only the top part of it.
C. v. 22. The long addition of one of the crowns, &c. may not be necessary, if the original signify either; (as v. 15) "to cover either crown."
↑ 191 Kings 7:20
Ver. 20. Chapiter, ( capitelli secundi. ) H. --- Villalpand thinks this "second chapiter," is rather the cornice, round which the pomegranates hung. M. ---
Sept. "and of roses, five rows, all round, upon the second circle." H.
↑ 201 Kings 7:21
Ver. 21. Temple. Against the wall, (Jer. lii. 23,) on each side of the door which leads to the holy place. The pillars might be 28 cubits high, v. 15. --- Jachin intimated that God "will establish."
--- Booz means, "strength is in him." C. --- Both together might foretel the stability of the temple.
"He shall establish in strength." We have already mentioned the conjecture of Houbigant, that these two pillars were erected in honour of some of Solomon's progenitors, though the former be lost in his genealogy. Ruth iv. 22. H. ---
Jachin. That is, firmly established. --- Booz. That is, in its strength. By recording these names in holy writ, the Spirit of God would have us understand the invincible firmness and strength of the pillars on which the true temple of God, which is the Church, is established. Ch.
↑ 211 Kings 7:22
Ver. 22. Lily, or rose, as Susan means both. This ornament seems to have been detached from the rest of the chapiter, and one cubit high, v. 16. C.
↑ 221 Kings 7:23
Ver. 23. Brim, in diameter. The circumference was about 30 cubits; for it is not exactly three times as much as the diameter. C. --- The latter is as 7 to 22, with respect to the circumference.
But the Scripture takes no notice of trifles. M.
↑ 231 Kings 7:24
Ver. 24. Ten cubits. All was not therefore ornamented. Prot. " there were knops compassing it, ten in a cubit...the knops were cast in two rows, when it was cast." H. --- The signification of Pekehim is not ascertained, whether it be
"apples, balls," &c. or perhaps a corrupt word for Bokrim, "oxen," or "ox heads;" as 2 Paral. (iv. 3,) clearly explains it. C. --- There also it is insinuated, that the carvings commenced only towards the bottom, where the circumference was reduced to 10 cubits. M.
↑ 241 Kings 7:25
Ver. 25. Oxen. Josephus and the Jews would condemn Solomon for making these figures; but it is clear that his present was acceptable to God, as well as his person. C. --- Within. The oxen were of solid brass, to support such a weight. M. --- Some think that the water was discharged through their mouths.
But Pelletier believes that there were cocks placed between each of the four divisions of oxen, which let water into a basin below, in which the priests might purify themselves. He supposes also that the vessel was double; the cup would contain 2000 baths, and the foot or basin another 1000, by which means he would reconcile this book with that of Chronicles. Melanges, T. i. p.
115.
↑ 251 Kings 7:26
Ver. 26. Two thousand bates. That is, about ten thousand gallons. This was the quantity of water which was usually put into it: but it was capable, if brim-full, of holding three thousand.
See 2 Par. iv. 5. 7. Ch. --- The batus contained about five gallons. W. --- Some imagine, without grounds, (C.) that the measure in Par. was of a less capacity.
Vallalp. A. Lapide. --- The smaller is called metreta, "measure," after the Greek, as it had no proper name. Salien. --- Instead of a hand's breadth, it is literally,
"three ounces," or the fourth part of a Roman foot; which is equivalent to four fingers' (H.) breadth, or a "hand's breadth," as the Heb. tophach implies, or a little above three inches. --- Crisped, or "full-blown lily." The Chaldee supposes it was thus ornamented. Heb. "with flowers of lilies," (C.) or "roses," Shoshan.
H.
↑ 261 Kings 7:27
Ver. 27. Bases. These were designed to wash the victims. Pelletier.
↑ 271 Kings 7:28
Ver. 28. And. Heb. is very obscure in this and the following verse. Indeed interpreters are so little agreed about the precise signification of some of the terms, that it is not necessary to repeat their sentiments.
↑ 281 Kings 7:32
Ver. 32. Joined. Yet not so as to be immovable. C.
↑ 321 Kings 7:36
Ver. 36. Palm-trees were not expressed, v. 29. All was in relievo, and represented in its natural posture. C. --- About. One would have taken them to be alive, they were so well executed. Heb.
"according to the proportion of every one, and added round about," (H.) projecting. M.
↑ 361 Kings 7:39
Ver. 39. Right side, to the south, between the temple and the altar of holocausts. --- Sea. It was the most towards the east, of the five basins, (C.) or near the eastern gate of the priests' court, standing on the south of the entrance, that they might purify themselves. M. --- S. Justin (ap. ii.) observes that the pagans imitated this custom. But this ought not to hinder Christians from employing a thing which is innocent in itself, and calculated to make them aspire to the greatest purity, when they approach to God. H.
Spargit & ipse suos lauro rorante capillos
Incipit & solitâ fundere voce preces. Fast. v.
↑ 391 Kings 7:40
Ver. 40. Shovels. Scutras may also signify "cauldrons," from their resemblance with a shield.
These terms occur Ex. xxvii. 3. (C.) and are there properly translated, shovels,
&c. H. --- The Jews say there were always , at least, three things of the same species, that one might be ready in case another was defiled.
↑ 401 Kings 7:41
Ver. 41. Cords: no mention of these had been made before. The same terms are frequently expressed in a different manner, v. 15, to 20. Heb. "the two pillars and the chapiters round, (C.) which were on the top of the pillars and the two nets to cover the two bowels of (or the two circular) chapiters," &c. H.
↑ 411 Kings 7:45
Ver. 45. Fine brass ( aurichalco. ) Some pretended that gold was mixed with this sort of brass.
But Pliny (xxxiv. 2.) informs us that it came out of the mines, without dross. ---
Heb. "polished (or refined) brass." C. --- It might resemble the Corinthian brass. M.
↑ 451 Kings 7:46
Ver. 46. Sarthan. This place was on the west, and Socoth on the east of the Jordan, near Bethsan. C. iv. 12. C. --- Jos. iii. 16. H. --- Adrichomius places both on the east, in the tribe of Gad. M.
↑ 461 Kings 7:47
Ver. 47. Weighed. It was deemed unnecessary, and too troublesome. H. --- Heb.
"And Solomon would not have all the vessels weighed, " on account of the too great number: "the weight of the brass was not discovered." Vatable.
↑ 471 Kings 7:48
Ver. 48. Altar, not that on which the ark was placed, (C. vi. 20. C.) though some are of that opinion; (M. &c.) but perhaps the altar of incense. The one which Moses had made was probably too small, (C.) and reposited in the treasury.
Rabbins. --- Table. In 1 Par. iv. 8. we find ten specified, one between each candlestick, in the holy place. Josephus (viii. 2.) mentions an incredible number of gold and silver utensils, which are not found in Scripture; and the Rabbins are not sparing in miracles, to promote a respect for the temple. No venomous creature, they say, was ever seen in Jerusalem; nor did man seek for lodgings in vain, &c. The priests were so numerous, that the same person had never to offer the perpetual sacrifice or incense twice in his life. No one durst spit in the temple, nor turn his back on the altar, &c. C.
↑ 481 Kings 7:51
Ver. 51. Dedicated. Lit. "sanctified," (H.) or set apart. W. --- Gold, unwrought. M.
↑ 51License: Notes by Fr. George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), from the Douay-Rheims Bible with Haydock's commentary (first ed. Thomas Haydock, Manchester/Dublin, 1811–1814; New York: Edward Dunigan & Brother, 1859); New Testament notes compiled with Fr. Benedict Rayment. Public domain. Digital text: "The Haydock Bible", Internet Archive (archive.org/details/TheHaydockBible), uploaded 2011 under the Public Domain Mark. · Credits and licenses