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1 Kings 7:15

KJV

For he cast two pillars of brass, of eighteen cubits high apiece: and a line of twelve cubits did compass either of them about.

Read it in context The Pillars and Capitals
Start reading at 1 Kings 7:13 (1 Kings 7:13 to 1 Kings 7:22). An editorial reading unit, not a claim that the surrounding context stops here. Book background below applies to the shared passage; individual verses may need more specific explanation.

Solomon's wisdom, building projects, prayer, and wealth develop the kingdom's strength and the temple's place in Israel's life.

  1. 7:13 And king Solomon sent and fetched Hiram out of Tyre.
  2. 7:14 He was a widow's son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre, a worker in brass: and he was filled with wisdom, and understanding, and cunning to work all works in brass. And he came to king Solomon, and wrought all his work.
  3. 7:15 For he cast two pillars of brass, of eighteen cubits high apiece: and a line of twelve cubits did compass either of them about.
  4. 7:16 And he made two chapiters of molten brass, to set upon the tops of the pillars: the height of the one chapiter was five cubits, and the height of the other chapiter was five cubits:
  5. 7:17 And nets of checker work, and wreaths of chain work, for the chapiters which were upon the top of the pillars; seven for the one chapiter, and seven for the other chapiter.
  6. 7:18 And he made the pillars, and two rows round about upon the one network, to cover the chapiters that were upon the top, with pomegranates: and so did he for the other chapiter.
  7. 7:19 And the chapiters that were upon the top of the pillars were of lily work in the porch, four cubits.
  8. 7:20 And the chapiters upon the two pillars had pomegranates also above, over against the belly which was by the network: and the pomegranates were two hundred in rows round about upon the other chapiter.
  9. 7:21 And he set up the pillars in the porch of the temple: and he set up the right pillar, and called the name thereof Jachin: and he set up the left pillar, and called the name thereof Boaz.
  10. 7:22 And upon the top of the pillars was lily work: so was the work of the pillars finished.

Who

What

When

Where

How

Cited: 1 Kings 7:13, 1 Kings 7:22, 1 Kings 11:4, Matthew 12:42

Who wrote it, and how we know

Jeremiah (traditional) From early tradition
What Scripture saysThe book does not name its author. It cites older court records as sources. 1 Kings 11:411 Kings 14:19
Early traditionJewish tradition (Baba Bathra 14b) names Jeremiah.
What is debatedAuthorship is not stated. The account ends during the exile, which sets the earliest possible date.

Other accounts of this event

Building and furnishing Solomon's temple

Parallel accounts

Kings also describes Solomon's palace buildings; the overlap here concerns the temple project, not every detail of both ranges.

Related passages

Cross references from CrossReferences-org (CC BY 4.0).

Macro-Structure

See how this passage fits the chapter and the book.

Macro-Structure of 1 Kings

First Kings traces Solomon's reign and the divided kingdoms. Its evaluation of kings centers on faithfulness to the LORD. The book does not name its author.

1 Kings 2:3 1 Kings 11:9 1 Kings 12:20

Succession to David
1 Kings 1:1–2:46

FocusSolomon's throne secured

Connection to the wholeThe struggle over the succession leads to Solomon's established rule.
interpretation
Solomon's kingdom and temple
1 Kings 3:1–10:29 You are here · 7:15

FocusWisdom, worship, and wealth

Connection to the wholeSolomon's wisdom, building projects, prayer, and wealth develop the kingdom's strength and the temple's place in Israel's life.
interpretation
The kingdom divided
1 Kings 11:1–16:34

FocusUnfaithfulness and rival kingdoms

Connection to the wholeSolomon's turning away and the division of the kingdom lead into successive reigns in Israel and Judah.
interpretation
Prophetic confrontation and royal choices
1 Kings 17:1–22:53

FocusElijah, Ahab, and the word of the LORD

Connection to the wholeThe later reigns are framed by prophetic encounters that expose idolatry and demonstrate the consequences of responding to God's word.
interpretation

Suggested literary divisions. Headings summarize the passage; they are not part of the biblical text.

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