2 Chronicles 4 Study Notes

4:1 The various fixtures that Solomon installed in the temple complex were outside the building in the courtyard. The most dominant item was the bronze altar, which shared its dimensions with the most holy place, 30 feet by 30 feet. Because of its height (15 feet), it had a number of steps that priests had to climb to perform sacrifices.

4:2-4 The water basin was half the width of the altar in diameter. Here is where priests washed their hands and feet before performing their duties (Ex 30:18-21). Since this large basin was 7½ feet high, there must have been steps all around it to give the priests access to the water. Perhaps that was a function of the twelve oxen decorations.

4:5 The rim of the large basin was apparently flared.

4:6 The large basin was reserved for the priests, but ten smaller basins were provided in which to wash the sacrificial animals.

4:7-8 The hundred gold bowls were probably intended to hold incense and coals.

4:9-10 A number of details that must have been a part of the courtyard are not specifically mentioned here. It probably featured amenities for the priests as well as storage areas.

4:11 Finally the name of Huram, chief craftsman on the project, comes up, even though he had been in charge of the artwork and decorations (2:13-14). He left his stamp particularly on the smaller items, the various pots . . . shovels, and bowls that would be used regularly at the altar. With these accomplishments, Huram finished the work for which he had been hired.

4:12-16 This inventory of all the items that Huram-abi provided is a review of the things already mentioned, but this time with credit going to him.

4:17-18 The technique for making items out of bronze involved making clay molds, then filling them with hot molten metal, and removing the clay after the metal had cooled. This process required a lot of water. It was easier to create these items next to the Jordan River and transport them up to Jerusalem than to try to make them on site where water was not as abundant.

4:19-22 Most of the furnishings inside the temple were also made of gold. This altar was intended for the twice-daily burning of incense, not for animal sacrifice. Even though there was a curtain in front of the most holy place, there were also sets of golden doors in front of it and at the entrance to the actual temple building.