1 Kings 7:24
And under the brim of it round about there were knops compassing it, ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about: the knops were cast in two rows, when it was cast. And under the brim of it round about there were knops compassing it, ten in a cubit, compassing the sea round about: the knops were cast in two rows, when it was cast.
The verse pictures the great cast bronze sea of Solomon's temple, with small rounded ornaments called knops running round about beneath its brim, ten to every cubit, set in two rows and cast as one piece with the vessel itself. Within the chapter it stands in the latter portion that goes into detail on the furnishings and vessels of the temple. It belongs to the history of the undivided kingdom under Solomon, recounting the same events as 2 Chronicles 1 to 9 and coming in chronological order.
It is part of the account of the building of Solomon's temple, a permanent and enlarged form of the tabernacle erected over seven years and six months with great magnificence. Like the tabernacle the temple had two holy places, and its sacred vessels were made on the same plan and served the same ministry, though larger and more numerous. In its holy places, plan, and vessels it serves as a pattern of the heavenly temple.
The building and furniture of the temple here described are to be noted especially, together with the dedication prayer and sacrifices and the divine answer to Solomon's prayer. The surrounding passage shows that God gave special wisdom to the men who built the temple, so that their skill was a gift from God. The account of these vessels comes after the description of Solomon's own house, which he built after he had finished the house of Jehovah, an order that stands in contrast to putting self first.