◄ 1 Kings 7:47 ►
Solomon left all these articles unweighed, because there were so many. The weight of the bronze could not be determined.
Study Bible
Solomon left all these articles unweighed,
This phrase highlights the abundance of resources during Solomon's reign, reflecting the prosperity and wealth of Israel at the time. Solomon's decision to leave the articles unweighed suggests a level of opulence and divine blessing, as the materials were so plentiful that precise accounting was unnecessary. This abundance can be seen as a fulfillment of God's promise to bless Israel under Solomon's rule (1 Kings 3:13). The unweighed articles also symbolize the overflowing generosity of God, reminiscent of the uncountable stars promised to Abraham (Genesis 15:5).

because there were so many.
The sheer quantity of bronze articles indicates the extensive building projects undertaken by Solomon, particularly the construction of the temple and his palace. This reflects the grandeur and scale of Solomon's kingdom, which was unmatched in the ancient Near East. The phrase underscores the logistical challenges and the vast resources required for such monumental works. It also points to the fulfillment of God's promise to make Israel a great nation (Genesis 12:2), as the kingdom's wealth and influence were at their peak during Solomon's reign.

The weight of the bronze could not be determined.
This statement emphasizes the immeasurable wealth and resources available to Solomon. The inability to determine the weight of the bronze suggests an overwhelming abundance, aligning with the biblical theme of God's provision beyond human comprehension. In a typological sense, this can be seen as a foreshadowing of the immeasurable riches found in Christ (Ephesians 3:8), where the spiritual blessings available to believers are beyond measure. The use of bronze, a durable and valuable material, also signifies strength and permanence, qualities associated with God's eternal kingdom.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
The king of Israel, known for his wisdom and wealth, who oversaw the construction of the temple and other significant projects.

2. Temple of Solomon
The grand temple in Jerusalem, built under Solomon's reign, which served as the central place of worship for the Israelites.

3. Bronze Articles
Various items made of bronze used in the temple, including pillars, basins, and other furnishings.

4. Hiram of Tyre
A skilled craftsman who assisted Solomon by creating many of the bronze works for the temple.

5. Jerusalem
The city where the temple was constructed, serving as the spiritual and political center of Israel.
Teaching Points
God's Abundance
The unweighed bronze signifies God's provision and abundance. Just as Solomon had more than enough resources, believers can trust in God's provision for their needs.

Focus on Worship, Not Wealth
The emphasis on the temple's function over the material wealth used in its construction reminds us to prioritize worship and spiritual growth over material possessions.

Stewardship of Resources
While the bronze was abundant, it was used for a specific purpose in worship. Believers are called to be good stewards of their resources, using them to glorify God.

Faith in God's Plan
Solomon's ability to leave the bronze unweighed reflects a trust in God's plan and provision. Believers are encouraged to have faith in God's overarching plan for their lives.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Solomon's decision to leave the bronze unweighed reflect his understanding of God's provision?

2. In what ways can we apply the principle of focusing on worship rather than material wealth in our daily lives?

3. How does the construction of the temple under Solomon's reign connect to the instructions given for the Tabernacle in Exodus?

4. What lessons can we learn about stewardship from the way resources were used in the temple's construction?

5. How can we cultivate a trust in God's plan and provision, similar to Solomon's trust during the temple's construction?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 25-31
These chapters describe the detailed instructions given to Moses for the construction of the Tabernacle, highlighting the importance of following God's design in worship.

2 Chronicles 4
This passage parallels 1 Kings 7, providing additional details about the temple furnishings and their significance.

Matthew 6:19-21
Jesus teaches about storing treasures in heaven rather than on earth, which can be related to the immense wealth and resources used in the temple's construction.
Sermons
The LotusW. Balgarnie.
People
Boaz, David, Hiram, Huram, Jachin, Naphtali, Pharaoh, Solomon
Places
Hall of Judgment, Hall of Pillars, Hall of the Throne, House of the Forest of Lebanon, Jordan River, Most Holy Place, Succoth, Tyre, Zarethan
Topics
Abundance, Ascertained, Brass, Bronze, Determined, Exceeding, Measured, Numerous, Placeth, Possible, Searched, Solomon, Unweighed, Utensils, Vessels, Weight
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Kings 7:13-50

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Library
Gadara
There was a double Gadara. One at the shore of the Mediterranean sea: that was first called Gezer, 1 Kings 9:15. In Josephus, "Simon destroyed the city Gazara, and Joppe, and Jamnia."--And in the Book of the Maccabees, "And he fortified Joppe, which is on the sea, and Gazara, which is on the borders of Azotus." At length, according to the idiom of the Syrian dialect, Zain passed into Daleth; and instead of Gazara, it was called Gadara. Hence Strabo, after the mention of Jamnia, saith, "and there …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Hiram, the Inspired Artificer
BY REV. W. J. TOWNSEND, D.D. The Temple of Solomon was the crown of art in the old world. There were temples on a larger scale, and of more massive construction, but the enormous masses of masonry of the oldest nations were not comparable with the artistic grace, the luxurious adornments, and the harmonious proportions of this glorious House of God. David had laid up money and material for the great work, but he was not permitted to carry it out. He was a man of war, and blood-stained hands were …
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known

Whether any Preparation and Disposition for Grace is Required on Man's Part?
Objection 1: It would seem that no preparation or disposition for grace is required on man's part, since, as the Apostle says (Rom. 4:4), "To him that worketh, the reward is not reckoned according to grace, but according to debt." Now a man's preparation by free-will can only be through some operation. Hence it would do away with the notion of grace. Objection 2: Further, whoever is going on sinning, is not preparing himself to have grace. But to some who are going on sinning grace is given, as is …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

A Discourse of the House and Forest of Lebanon
OF THE HOUSE OF THE FOREST OF LEBANON. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. That part of Palestine in which the celebrated mountains of Lebanon are situated, is the border country adjoining Syria, having Sidon for its seaport, and Land, nearly adjoining the city of Damascus, on the north. This metropolitan city of Syria, and capital of the kingdom of Damascus, was strongly fortified; and during the border conflicts it served as a cover to the Assyrian army. Bunyan, with great reason, supposes that, to keep …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Adam and Zaretan, Joshua 3
I suspect a double error in some maps, while they place these two towns in Perea; much more, while they place them at so little a distance. We do not deny, indeed, that the city Adam was in Perea; but Zaretan was not so. Of Adam is mention, Joshua 3:16; where discourse is had of the cutting-off, or cutting in two, the waters of Jordan, that they might afford a passage to Israel; The waters rose up upon a heap afar off in Adam. For the textual reading "In Adam," the marginal hath "From Adam." You …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

That the Ruler Should be a Near Neighbour to Every one in Compassion, and Exalted Above all in Contemplation.
The ruler should be a near neighbour to every one in sympathy, and exalted above all in contemplation, so that through the bowels of loving-kindness he may transfer the infirmities of others to himself, and by loftiness of speculation transcend even himself in his aspiration after the invisible; lest either in seeking high things he despise the weak things of his neighbours, or in suiting himself to the weak things of his neighbours he relinquish his aspiration after high things. For hence it is …
Leo the Great—Writings of Leo the Great

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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