(12) And the pommels, and the chapiters--i.e., the globes and the capitals. Kings, Authorised Version has bowls, but in Hebrew the word is the same (gulloth, globes). "The globes of the capitals" (Kings) is plainly incorrect.

Which were on the top of the two pillars.--Heb. (and the globes and the capitals), on the top of the pillars, two; i.e., two globes and capitals. The word "two" (shtayim) is feminine, agreeing with "globes and capitals," which are also feminine; whereas "pillars" is a masculine term.

Wreaths.--Heb., s?b?khoth, lattices. (Comp. 2Kings 1:2.) The Authorised version of 1Kings 7:41 gives "network," but the Hebrew word is the same as here.

Verse 12. - The pommels. The Hebrew word is גֻלֹת, translated in the parallel "bowls." The word occurs in the Old Testament twelve times, and is translated six times (in Judges and Joshua)" springs," four times "bowls," and twice "pommels." It was an architectural ornament to the capital, in shape like a ball. The chapiters. The Hebrew word is כֹּתֶרֶת, occurring twenty-three times or more, and always translated thus; in modern architecture, the head or capital of the pillar. The two wreaths. The word is כֹּתֶרֶת, occurring fifteen times, and translated seven times "net-work," five times "wreath," or "wreathen-work," once a "snare," once "checker-work," and once a "lattice." These wreaths were of some lace pattern plaiting and festoons of fancy chain-work. The fuller expression of them is found in 1 Kings 7:17, though in description not more distinct, certainly - "nets of checker-work, and wreaths of chain-work."

4:1-22 The furniture of the temple. - Here is a further account of the furniture of God's house. Both without doors and within, there was that which typified the grace of the gospel, and shadowed out good things to come, of which the substance is Christ. There was the brazen altar. The making of this was not mentioned in the book of Kings. On this all the sacrifices were offered, and it sanctified the gift. The people who worshipped in the courts might see the sacrifices burned. They might thus be led to consider the great Sacrifice, to be offered in the fulness of time, to take away sin, and put an end to death, which the blood of bulls and goats could not possibly do. And, with the smoke of the sacrifices, their hearts might ascend to heaven, in holy desires towards God and his favour. In all our devotions we must keep the eye of faith fixed upon Christ. The furniture of the temple, compared with that of the tabernacle, showed that God's church would be enlarged, and his worshippers multiplied. Blessed be God, there is enough in Christ for all.See Introduction to Chapter 4