1 Kings 7:46 - Printer Friendly

ESV: In the plain of the Jordan the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarethan.

NIV: The king had them cast in clay molds in the plain of the Jordan between Sukkoth and Zarethan.

NASB: The king had them cast in the plain of the Jordan, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarethan.

CSB: The king had them cast in clay molds in the Jordan Valley between Succoth and Zarethan.

NLT: The king had them cast in clay molds in the Jordan Valley between Succoth and Zarethan.

KJV: In the plain of Jordan did the king cast them, in the clay ground between Succoth and Zarthan.

NKJV: In the plain of Jordan the king had them cast in clay molds, between Succoth and Zaretan.

First Kings 7:40–47 (2 Chronicles 4:11–18) gives an overview of the work Huram-abi completes for Solomon's temple. The bulky items include the two pillars, the great sea, and the ten stands and basins (1 Kings 7:15–39). He may make the altar, as well (2 Chronicles 4:1). In addition, he makes bronze utensils for the altar. He uses a plain of clay east of the Jordan River to cast the bronze. It's unclear if he makes the gold items, as well (1 Kings 7:48–50).

In 1 Kings 7 (2 Chronicles 4:1–5:1), Solomon builds his palace compound and finishes the details on the temple. The temple building alone took seven-and-a-half years to complete (1 Kings 6). It takes him thirteen years to finish his house, including all the government buildings and the temple implements. The half-Israelite, half-Tyrolean artist Huram at least builds all the bronze work, and likely the gold, as well. Once the construction is finished, Solomon orders the priests to bring the ark of the covenant into the temple (1 Kings 8:1–11).

First Kings 7 (2 Chronicles 4:1–5:1) describes the construction of Solomon's home and government buildings and the temple furnishings. Before Solomon began, he enlisted the help of Hiram, the king of Tyre. Hiram promised him timber and help with the stone, but also the artist Huram-abi (2 Chronicles 2:13–14). Huram supervises all the bronze work and probably the gold, too. The people celebrate as Solomon brings in the ark of the covenant and dedicates the temple to the Lord (1 Kings 8).

This was originally the first half of a combined text. First Kings records the end of David's reign and the rule of Solomon. After this, the kingdom is split in two. The northern nation of Israel no longer submits to the king of the southern nation, called Judah. The prophet Elijah first appears in this book. The kings mostly fail to honor the Lord. They participate in idolatry and other sins. This will eventually result in their conquest and exile, as depicted throughout the books of Chronicles.

Accessed 10/9/2026 1:09:17 PM