Matthew Poole and continuators on 2 Chronicles 4

1 MOreover he made an altar of brass, twenty cubits the length thereof, and twenty cubits the breadth thereof, and ten cubits the height thereof .

Qu. How could this be when God had said, Thou shalt not go up by Steps unto mine Altar, that thy Nakedness be not discovered thereon, Exod. 20. 26. and Steps were necessary for so high an Altar as this was? Ans. 1. These Steps were so made that there was no fear of this Inconvenience. 2. That Law was useful and fit when it was made; but afterwards when the Priests were commanded to wear Linen Breeches in their Holy Ministrations to cover their Nakedness, Exod. 28. 42. it was not necessary. 3. Howsoever God could undoubtedly dispense with his own Law, as here he did; for he it was that gave these Dimensions for the Altar.

Marginal references: Ezek. 43. 13, 17.

2 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.

Of this and v. 3, 4, 5, &c, see the Notes on 1 King. 7. 23, &c.

Marginal references: 1 Kin. 7. 23.; Heb. from his brim to his brim.

6 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.

Of which see, 1 King. 7. 39, &c.

Marginal references: 1 Kin. 7. 38.; Heb. the work of burntoffering.

7 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.

Either 1. The Form which was appointed for them by God who signified it to David. Or rather 2. The old form which God prescribed to Moses, Exod. 25. 31, &c. for so these were made. And this clause seems to be added here, because in many things there was a great Variation from the old Form, as in the posture of the Cherubims, the height of the Altar, and divers other things.

Marginal references: 1 Kin. 7. 49.

8 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.

Of which see 1 King. 7. 48.

Marginal references: 1 Kin. 7. 48.; Or, bowls.

11 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:

Of these and the following Verses see the Notes on 1 King. 7. 40, &c.

Marginal references: Or, bowls.; Heb. finished to make.

16 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.

i. e. Solomons Father; the Relative being put before the Antecedent, which is not unusual in the Hebrew Tongue. And he is so called here, because Solomon usually called him by that name out of that great Respect which he bare to him for his Excellent Art and Service which he did for him: it being usual to call great Artists and Inventers of things by this Name; of which see Gen. 4. 20, 21. Or, Huram Abiu or Abif, a Man so called, or Huram Abi, as ch. 2. 13.

Marginal references: Heb. made bright, or scoured,

19 And Solomon made all the vessels that were for the house of God, the golden altar also, and the tables whereon the shew-bread was set .

Which were of Gold; and so are distinguished from those ten Tables mentioned v. 8. which seem to have been made of Silver. Compare 1 Chron. 28. 16.

Marginal references: Heb. bread of faces.

20 Moreover, the candlesticks with their lamps, that they should burn after the manner , before the oracle, of pure gold;

According to the Prescription of God to and by Moses.

22 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 .

To wit, in part; they were made of Wood, 1 King. 6. 30. 2 King. 18. 16. but covered with Golden Plates.

Marginal references: Or, bowls.