(b) HURAM’S WORKS IN BRASS (2Chronicles 4:11-18)

Comp. 1Kings 7:40-47.

Throughout this section the narrative almost textually coincides with the parallel account.

(11) And Huram made the pots.—1Kings 7:40 has “lavers” (pans). Our reading, “pots,” appears correct, supported as it is by many MSS. and the LXX. and Vulg. of Kings. A single stroke makes the difference between the two words in Hebrew writing. These “pots” were scuttles for carrying away the ashes of the altar.

Basons.—“Bowls” (mizrāqôth). Probably the same as the mizrāqîm of 2Chronicles 4:8. So kîyôrôth (Kings) and kîyôrîm (Chron.).

Huram.—Hebrew text, Hiram, as in Kings. The LXX. renders: “And Hiram made the fleshhooks (κρεάγρας) and the firepans (πυρεια), and the hearth of the altar and all its vessels.”

The work.—Kings, “all the work,” and so some MSS., LXX., and Vulg. of Chron. The Syriac and Arabic omit 2Chronicles 4:11-17; 2Chronicles 4:19-22.

He was to make.—Rather, he made.

For the house.—In the house. Chronicles supplies the preposition in, which is not required according to ancient usage.

4:1-22 The furniture of the temple. - Here is a further account of the furniture of God's house. Both without doors and within, there was that which typified the grace of the gospel, and shadowed out good things to come, of which the substance is Christ. There was the brazen altar. The making of this was not mentioned in the book of Kings. On this all the sacrifices were offered, and it sanctified the gift. The people who worshipped in the courts might see the sacrifices burned. They might thus be led to consider the great Sacrifice, to be offered in the fulness of time, to take away sin, and put an end to death, which the blood of bulls and goats could not possibly do. And, with the smoke of the sacrifices, their hearts might ascend to heaven, in holy desires towards God and his favour. In all our devotions we must keep the eye of faith fixed upon Christ. The furniture of the temple, compared with that of the tabernacle, showed that God's church would be enlarged, and his worshippers multiplied. Blessed be God, there is enough in Christ for all.The number of the tables (see 2 Chronicles 4:19) and of the basins, is additional to the information contained in Kings. 11. Huram made—(See on [417]1Ki 7:40). Of these and the following verses See Poole "1 Kings 7:40", &c.

See Introduction to Chapter 4 And Huram made the pots, and the shovels, and the basins. And Huram finished the work that he was to make for king Solomon for the house of God;