II Chronicles 4: A Temple of Abundance and Dedication
Moreover he made an altar of brass, twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof.
Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.
And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did compass it round about: ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast.
It stood upon 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 above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward.
And the thickness of it was an handbreadth, and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies; and it received and held three thousand baths.
He made also ten lavers, and put five on the right hand, and five on the left, to wash in them: such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in them; but the sea was for the priests to wash in.
And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form, and set them in the temple, five on the right hand, and five on the left.
He made also ten tables, and placed them in the temple, five on the right side, and five on the left. And he made an hundred basons of gold.
Furthermore he made the court of the priests, and the great court, and doors for the court, and overlaid the doors of them with brass.
And he set the sea on the right side of the east end, over against the south.
And Huram made the pots, and the shovels, and the basons. And Huram finished the work that he was to make for king Solomon for the house of God;
To wit, the two pillars, and the pommels, and the chapiters which were on the top of the two pillars, and the two wreaths to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which were on the top of the pillars;
And four hundred pomegranates on the two wreaths; two rows of pomegranates on each wreath, to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which were upon the pillars.
He made also bases, and lavers made he upon the bases;
One sea, and twelve oxen under it.
The pots also, and the shovels, and the fleshhooks, and all their instruments, did Huram his father make to king Solomon for the house of the Lord of bright brass.
In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah.
Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundance: for the weight of the brass could not be found out.
And Solomon made all the vessels that were for the house of God, the golden altar also, and the tables whereon the shewbread was set;
Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn after the manner before the oracle, of pure gold;
And the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, made he of gold, and that perfect gold;
And the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers, of pure gold: and the entry of the house, the inner doors thereof for the most holy place, and the doors of the house of the temple, were of gold.
II Chronicles 4 details the magnificent craftsmanship and dedication poured into the creation of the temple's furnishings, highlighting both the scale of Solomon's vision and the devotion to honoring God. The sheer size and opulence reveal a desire to offer the very best to the Lord. This chapter serves as a testament to the importance of approaching God with reverence and generosity.
The Bronze Altar and the Sea
The bronze altar's impressive dimensions (II Chronicles 4:1) immediately convey the grandeur of Solomon's temple. It was a central place for sacrifices and offerings, a tangible representation of Israel's commitment to worship.
The "sea," a massive basin resting on twelve bronze oxen, was a remarkable feat of engineering and artistry (II Chronicles 4:2-5). Holding approximately eleven thousand gallons of water, it served a practical and symbolic purpose. The priests would use this water for ceremonial cleansing before performing their duties (II Chronicles 4:6), emphasizing the importance of purity and preparation when approaching God. The twelve oxen, facing outward in the cardinal directions, might represent the twelve tribes of Israel, carrying the weight of serving God and proclaiming His glory to the world.
Furnishings and Utensils
Beyond the altar and the sea, the chapter meticulously lists the various basins, lampstands, tables, and bowls (II Chronicles 4:6-8) crafted for use within the temple. These details emphasize the thoroughness and care taken in preparing a space dedicated to worship. The presence of basins for washing the burnt offerings highlights the importance of atonement and cleansing in the sacrificial system. The lampstands, tables, and bowls all speak to the ongoing activities of worship, sacrifice, and fellowship within the temple walls.
Huram's Craftsmanship and Solomon's Wealth
II Chronicles 4:11-16 acknowledges the contribution of Huram from Tyre, the skilled artisan who oversaw much of the metalwork. This collaboration between Israel and Tyre underscores the interconnectedness of nations, and the importance of utilizing diverse talents in service to God. Huram's expertise was instrumental in bringing Solomon's vision to life.
The chapter emphasizes the sheer quantity of bronze used in the temple's construction, so vast that it was impossible to weigh (II Chronicles 4:18). Even more striking is the revelation that the remaining furnishings were crafted from pure gold (II Chronicles 4:20). This abundance underscores Solomon’s wealth and his commitment to providing the best materials for the Lord's house. "Nothing was too good for the Lord's temple," as Tony Evans puts it. This principle challenges us to examine our own attitudes toward giving and serving, asking whether we are truly offering our best to God.
Dedicated Treasures
The completion of the metalwork and furnishings marked a significant milestone in the temple's construction (II Chronicles 4:21-22). When the work was finally done and the temple was ready to be furnished, the treasures David had previously dedicated for the temple, when combined with those of Solomon, were so great that there was a surplus (II Chronicles 5:1). This surplus of dedicated wealth speaks to the overflowing generosity and devotion of both David and Solomon. It also reminds us that God is not limited by our resources; He can always provide more than enough to accomplish His purposes. It's a beautiful reminder that when we dedicate our resources to God, He can multiply them and use them for His glory in ways we cannot imagine.
II Chronicles 4 serves as a potent reminder of the importance of dedication, generosity, and craftsmanship in our service to God. The meticulous detail, the abundant resources, and the skilled artistry all point to a deep desire to honor the Lord in a tangible and lasting way. As we reflect on this chapter, may we be inspired to examine our own hearts and ask ourselves: Are we offering our best to God? Are we dedicating our resources and talents to His service? And are we approaching Him with the reverence and awe that He deserves?
Moreover he made an altar of brass, twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof.
Also he made a molten sea of ten cubits from brim to brim, round in compass, and five cubits the height thereof; and a line of thirty cubits did compass it round about.
And under it was the similitude of oxen, which did compass it round about: ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about. Two rows of oxen were cast, when it was cast.
It stood upon 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 above upon them, and all their hinder parts were inward.
And the thickness of it was an handbreadth, and the brim of it like the work of the brim of a cup, with flowers of lilies; and it received and held three thousand baths.
He made also ten lavers, and put five on the right hand, and five on the left, to wash in them: such things as they offered for the burnt offering they washed in them; but the sea was for the priests to wash in.
And he made ten candlesticks of gold according to their form, and set them in the temple, five on the right hand, and five on the left.
He made also ten tables, and placed them in the temple, five on the right side, and five on the left. And he made an hundred basons of gold.
Furthermore he made the court of the priests, and the great court, and doors for the court, and overlaid the doors of them with brass.
And he set the sea on the right side of the east end, over against the south.
And Huram made the pots, and the shovels, and the basons. And Huram finished the work that he was to make for king Solomon for the house of God;
To wit, the two pillars, and the pommels, and the chapiters which were on the top of the two pillars, and the two wreaths to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which were on the top of the pillars;
And four hundred pomegranates on the two wreaths; two rows of pomegranates on each wreath, to cover the two pommels of the chapiters which were upon the pillars.
He made also bases, and lavers made he upon the bases;
One sea, and twelve oxen under it.
The pots also, and the shovels, and the fleshhooks, and all their instruments, did Huram his father make to king Solomon for the house of the Lord of bright brass.
In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zeredathah.
Thus Solomon made all these vessels in great abundance: for the weight of the brass could not be found out.
And Solomon made all the vessels that were for the house of God, the golden altar also, and the tables whereon the shewbread was set;
Moreover the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn after the manner before the oracle, of pure gold;
And the flowers, and the lamps, and the tongs, made he of gold, and that perfect gold;
And the snuffers, and the basons, and the spoons, and the censers, of pure gold: and the entry of the house, the inner doors thereof for the most holy place, and the doors of the house of the temple, were of gold.
II Chronicles 4 details the magnificent craftsmanship and dedication poured into the creation of the temple's furnishings, highlighting both the scale of Solomon's vision and the devotion to honoring God. The sheer size and opulence reveal a desire to offer the very best to the Lord. This chapter serves as a testament to the importance of approaching God with reverence and generosity.
The Bronze Altar and the Sea
The bronze altar's impressive dimensions (II Chronicles 4:1) immediately convey the grandeur of Solomon's temple. It was a central place for sacrifices and offerings, a tangible representation of Israel's commitment to worship.
The "sea," a massive basin resting on twelve bronze oxen, was a remarkable feat of engineering and artistry (II Chronicles 4:2-5). Holding approximately eleven thousand gallons of water, it served a practical and symbolic purpose. The priests would use this water for ceremonial cleansing before performing their duties (II Chronicles 4:6), emphasizing the importance of purity and preparation when approaching God. The twelve oxen, facing outward in the cardinal directions, might represent the twelve tribes of Israel, carrying the weight of serving God and proclaiming His glory to the world.
Furnishings and Utensils
Beyond the altar and the sea, the chapter meticulously lists the various basins, lampstands, tables, and bowls (II Chronicles 4:6-8) crafted for use within the temple. These details emphasize the thoroughness and care taken in preparing a space dedicated to worship. The presence of basins for washing the burnt offerings highlights the importance of atonement and cleansing in the sacrificial system. The lampstands, tables, and bowls all speak to the ongoing activities of worship, sacrifice, and fellowship within the temple walls.
Huram's Craftsmanship and Solomon's Wealth
II Chronicles 4:11-16 acknowledges the contribution of Huram from Tyre, the skilled artisan who oversaw much of the metalwork. This collaboration between Israel and Tyre underscores the interconnectedness of nations, and the importance of utilizing diverse talents in service to God. Huram's expertise was instrumental in bringing Solomon's vision to life.
The chapter emphasizes the sheer quantity of bronze used in the temple's construction, so vast that it was impossible to weigh (II Chronicles 4:18). Even more striking is the revelation that the remaining furnishings were crafted from pure gold (II Chronicles 4:20). This abundance underscores Solomon’s wealth and his commitment to providing the best materials for the Lord's house. "Nothing was too good for the Lord's temple," as Tony Evans puts it. This principle challenges us to examine our own attitudes toward giving and serving, asking whether we are truly offering our best to God.
Dedicated Treasures
The completion of the metalwork and furnishings marked a significant milestone in the temple's construction (II Chronicles 4:21-22). When the work was finally done and the temple was ready to be furnished, the treasures David had previously dedicated for the temple, when combined with those of Solomon, were so great that there was a surplus (II Chronicles 5:1). This surplus of dedicated wealth speaks to the overflowing generosity and devotion of both David and Solomon. It also reminds us that God is not limited by our resources; He can always provide more than enough to accomplish His purposes. It's a beautiful reminder that when we dedicate our resources to God, He can multiply them and use them for His glory in ways we cannot imagine.
II Chronicles 4 serves as a potent reminder of the importance of dedication, generosity, and craftsmanship in our service to God. The meticulous detail, the abundant resources, and the skilled artistry all point to a deep desire to honor the Lord in a tangible and lasting way. As we reflect on this chapter, may we be inspired to examine our own hearts and ask ourselves: Are we offering our best to God? Are we dedicating our resources and talents to His service? And are we approaching Him with the reverence and awe that He deserves?