1 Kings 7:15-21
fashioned <06696> [cast. Heb. fashioned. two pillars.]
27 feet .... 18 feet <0520 08083> [eighteen cubits.]
That is, nearly thirty feet, English measure. But in the parallel place in Chronicles, these pillars are said to thirty-five cubits high. Tremellius reconciles this difference by observing, that the common cubit was but one-half of the cubit of the sanctuary; so that eighteen of the one would make thirty-six of the other; from which, if we deduct one cubit for the base, there will remain thirty-five. Notwithstanding the names of these pillars, they seem to have supported no part of the building, and appear to have been formed for ornament; and were no doubt also emblematical. The right pillar was called {Jachin,} which signifies, "He will establish;" while that on the left was named {Boaz,} "In it is strength." Some think they were intended for memorials of the pillars and cloud of fire, which led Israel through the wilderness; but Henry supposes them designed for memorandums to the priests and others that came to worship at God's door. 1st. To depend upon God only, and not upon any sufficiency of their own, for strength and establishment in all their religious exercises. 2nd. It was a memorandum to them of the strength and establishment of the temple of God among them. When the temple was destroyed, particular notice is taken of the breaking up and carrying away of these brazen pillars, 2 Ki 25:13, 17, which had been the tokens of its establishment, and would have been still so, if they had not forsaken God.
shaped ... lilies <04639 07799> [lily work.]
pomegranate-shaped <07416> [and the pomegranates.]
set up .............. erected ............. erected <06965> [And he set.]
porch <0197> [the porch.]
Jakin <03199> [Jachin.]
Boaz <01162> [Boaz.]
1 Kings 7:2
1 Kings 1:17
master <0113> [My lord.]
swore <07650> [thou swarest.]
It is not recorded when or upon what occasion David sware to Bathsheba that Solomon should succeed him; but it is supposed, with some degree of probability, that it took place after Absalom's rebellion; and as God himself had settled the succession, he might very properly give her this assurance.
1 Kings 1:2
found <01245> [Let there be sought. Heb. Let them seek. a young virgin.]
Heb. a damsel, a virgin. stand.
nurse ..... sleep <05532 07901> [cherish him. Heb. be a cherisher unto him. lie.]
warm <02552> [get heat.]
1 Kings 3:15-17
woke <03364> [awoke.]
before <06440> [before.]
peace offerings <08002> [peace offerings.]
feast <04960> [a feast.]
two prostitutes <0802 08147> [two women.]
<02181> [harlots.]
The word {zanoth,} rendered harlots, is here translated by the Targumist, the best judge in this case, {pundekon,} "tavern-keepers:" see on Jos 2:1.
Had these women been harlots, it is not likely that they would have dared to appear before Solomon; nor is it likely that such persons would have been permitted in the reign of David. Their husbands might at this time have been following their necessary occupations in distant parts.
stood <05975> [stood.]
master <0994 0113> [O my lord.]
