2 Chronicles 4:1–22

Read the passage.

The temple did not contain mere empty space, but was furnished with everything the priests needed to serve the Lord. Lampstands provided light because there would not have been room for windows when the storerooms surrounded the Holy Place. Tables to prepare the burnt offerings. The large bronze altar on which the sacrifices were offered. A very large “sea” to hold water for purification rituals. Smaller basins for washing the pieces of the burnt offerings after they were butchered.

Verse 11 is a little confusing when it talks about Hiram making the tools and implements for the temple. We were told in chapter 2 that the name of the master craftsman sent from Tyre was Huram-abi, however his name in Hebrew was apparently Hiram, the same name as the king of Tyre. Though they were both named Hiram, they are not the same person. The parallel passage in 1 Kings 7 doesn’t even mention the alternate form “Huram-abi”.

I think it’s funny that we have so many meticulous details about the design and construction of all these furnishings, from measurements to the number of rows of gourds on the bronze sea, and the number of pomegranates on the caps of the two pillars, even the place where the bronze was cast, yet no one can tell us how much bronze was actually used. It was so much that no one bothered weighing it out and adding it up. It’s like the author wanted to be able to tell us that, but was frustrated that the information was just not there.

You have always equipped us for every good work that You set before us.