1 Kings 7:14
He was a widow’s son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work.
The verse belongs to the history of Solomon's reign over the undivided kingdom recorded in 1 Kings 1-11 and retold in 2 Chronicles 1-9, to be read in chronological order. Within that history it belongs to the account in 1 Kings 7-8 of the building and furnishing of the temple as a dwelling-place for God, coming after the bargain with Hiram king of Tyre for building the temple. The building and furniture, the dedication prayer and sacrifices, and the divine answer to Solomon's prayer are to be especially noted.
Hiram was the craftsman in brass whom Solomon brought to Jerusalem to carry out all the temple metalwork, filled with wisdom and understanding and practical skill for every work in brass. He had a mixed Israelite and Tyrian background as a widow's son of Naphtali with a Tyrian father. His employment shows God's work is not restricted by nationality, but people of every nation who fear God and do what is right are accepted by him.
Solomon's temple was a magnificent, larger and grander, permanent and immovable enlargement of the tabernacle, with its sanctuary vessels increased in size and number. It was built on the same plan as the tabernacle as an edifice with two holy places, with sacred vessels of the same kind and the same ministration. Its two-part design was a pattern of the heavenly temple, proving the heavenly temple has two holy places.
The special wisdom given to the temple builders proves the power of invention is God-given, bestowed for the benefit of the masses and the furtherance of his cause. In the last days that inventive skill in travel, rapid communication, production of gospel literature, and appliances for quick work is given for the specific purpose of finishing the gospel work.