Outside of Solomon's Temple (1 Kings 6 & 7)

Solomon built God’s House according to the instructions God gave Moses in Exodus 27 for the Tabernacle. It was built in Jerusalem on Mt. Moriah (2 Chron. 3:3); this is where the Lord appeared David, also where Abraham went to Sacrifice Isaac (Gen 22:2) and from where Jesus as ascended into heaven (Acts 1) as well as where he will step back down onto Earth (Rev 19). Building began 480 years after the exodus from Egypt in the 4th year of Solomon’s reign. It took 7 years to complete it.

We will look at what is recorded in 1 Kings 6 & 7 as well as 2 Chronicles 3 & 4 about Solomon’s Temple. I will include some comparisons to the Tabernacle and see how they point to Jesus. To begin we will start with the courtyard outside of the Temple. There were 3 furnishings outside of the Temple, after we have examined them we walk through the temple. The picture below is a color version of the one you will find on page 25 of your book, Walking Faithfully with God. I have noted the 3 outside furnishings.

#1 The Bronze Altar was almost the same size as the Holy of Holies but only 10 cubits or 15 feet tall. This is where the sacrifices would take place; where the blood was shed. It is what replaced the “Altar of Sacrifice” in the tabernacle. It is where Adonijah and Joab ran and grabbed the horn when they were in fear for their lives earlier in 1 Kings.

#2 Bronze Laver on Oxen was where the priest would wash their hands and feet (see Ex 29:4; 30:19). The idea of clean hands and feet was not new we see God telling Moses to take off his sandals because of him standing on holy ground in Ex 3:1-5, Jesus washed his disciples feet in Jn. 13:1-17 and Ps 24:3-6 promises a blessing to clean hands and a pure heart.

• The Bronze Laver was a circular shape 10 cubits or 15 feet wide and 5 cubits or 7 ½ feet tall with a brim like a cup with 2 rows of gourds like a lily blossom. 12 oxen encircled it facing outward and the laven rested on their backsides – 3 faced north, 3 east, 3 south and 3 west. (2 Chron 4:2-5)
• 2 Chron 4:6 says it holds 3,000 baths where 1 Kings 7:26 says 2,000. The Bible Knowledge Commentary suggests that, “Perhaps the best reconciliation is that the Sea had a capacity of 3,000 baths but actually contained only 2,000.”

#3 Bronze Stands with Bronze Basins were on each side of the Temple; this is where the utensils and tools used during the burn offerings were washed (1 Kings 7: 38-39). There were a total of 10, 5 on each side of the Temple.

• The bronze stands had ornate designs of borders between frames, on the borders were lion, oxen and cherubim, on the frames above the borders were pedestals and wreaths were below. (1 Kings 7: 28-29) The stands had 4 wheels (1 Kings 7: 30) like chariot wheels (1 Kings 7: 27).
• The stands were 4 cubits wide by 4 cubits long and 3 cubits tall; the basins, inside of the stands, held 40 baths (1 Kings 7: 39)

Question to Ponder:  The outer court had one furnishing where the blood was spilled and 2 for cleansing with water. You would have had to pass by the blood and the water to enter the Temple, the place where the fellowship is sweet. In Jn 19: 34 one of the soldiers pierced Jesus’ side bringing forth a flow of blood and water.  Have you passed by the blood and the water?