This Hiram was obviously a different person from the King of Tyre (5:1). God evidently guided him as he fashioned the furnishings (cf. Exod. 31:1-11).80
The two pillars on the temple porch were common features that flanked the main entrances to temples in Syria, Phoenicia, Cyprus, Assyria, and elsewhere in the ancient Near East at this time.81Some of these pillars supported the porch roof, but others were free-standing, as these probably were.82In various countries they symbolized various things.83In Israel their purpose seems to have been to remind the Israelites of Yahweh's establishment of Israel and strength for Israel. Jachin means "He shall establish,"and Boaz "In Him is strength"(v. 21).84The lily and pomegranate designs probably symbolized the fertility and fruitfulness of God's blessing and presence.
The "sea"(vv. 23-26) was a reservoir for the temple courtyard. It had a total capacity of 17,500 gallons (2 Chron. 4:5), but it normally held 11,500 gallons (v. 26). It rested on symbols of strength and service (cf. the priests), and symbols of fertility adorned it (v. 24; cf. 6:18).85The 12 bulls may have represented the 12 tribes or Solomon's 12 administrative districts.86
The priests evidently used the 10 movable stands (vv. 27-40a) when they butchered sacrificial animals. Each was six feet square, five and one-half feet high, and held up to 230 gallons of water.
The amount of detail the writer included gives us some appreciation of the external beauty, symmetry, glory, and value of the temple. All of this contributed to the greater glory of Yahweh and helped the Israelites appreciate Him.
