1 Kings 7:44 falls within the account of Solomon's reign, which forms the first section of 1 Kings and belongs to the period of the undivided kingdom. In chronological order this history corresponds to 2 Chronicles 1 to 9, and is to be especially noted together with the building of the temple, the dedication prayer and sacrifices, and the divine answer to Solomon's prayer. Within 1 Kings 7 the verse stands in the latter part of the chapter giving details concerning the furnishings and vessels of the temple.
That list of furnishings comes after the description of Solomon building his own house after he had finished the house of Jehovah, an order that contrasts with many who make self first. The verse itself describes part of the furniture of the temple: the one bronze, large sea supported by the twelve oxen under it. In this it illustrates that Solomon's temple enlarged the tabernacle's plan and had vessels increased in size and number.
The temple's two holy places and its sacred vessels and furnishings followed the same plan, were of the same kind, and served the same ministration as the tabernacle. By this likeness the temple was a pattern of the heavenly temple, which also has two holy places. The construction so described was done by builders to whom the Lord gave special wisdom.
That endowment shows that the power of invention is God-given, that no principle of invention is new to the Lord, and that all wisdom God gives to men is for the benefit of the masses and for the furtherance of His cause.
1 Kings 7:44 falls within the account of Solomon's reign, which forms the first section of 1 Kings and belongs to the period of the undivided kingdom. In chronological order this history corresponds to 2 Chronicles 1 to 9, and is to be especially noted together with the building of the temple, the dedication prayer and sacrifices, and the divine answer to Solomon's prayer. Within 1 Kings 7 the verse stands in the latter part of the chapter giving details concerning the furnishings and vessels of the temple.
That list of furnishings comes after the description of Solomon building his own house after he had finished the house of Jehovah, an order that contrasts with many who make self first. The verse itself describes part of the furniture of the temple: the one bronze, large sea supported by the twelve oxen under it. In this it illustrates that Solomon's temple enlarged the tabernacle's plan and had vessels increased in size and number.
The temple's two holy places and its sacred vessels and furnishings followed the same plan, were of the same kind, and served the same ministration as the tabernacle. By this likeness the temple was a pattern of the heavenly temple, which also has two holy places. The construction so described was done by builders to whom the Lord gave special wisdom.
That endowment shows that the power of invention is God-given, that no principle of invention is new to the Lord, and that all wisdom God gives to men is for the benefit of the masses and for the furtherance of His cause.