The Temple’s Furnishings: After the important digression of 7:1–12 we return now to the temple, to hear how that project was completed and the “house of the LORD” made ready for his occupation in chapter 8. The narrative introduces a new character, whom the NIV calls Huram (vv. 13, 40, 45), but whom the MT calls by the same name as the king of chapter 5 (“Hiram”). He is brought from Tyre by Solomon to make the temple furnishings that are to be fashioned from bronze (vv. 15–47). Solomon himself, however, is described as making the furnishings of gold (vv. 48–50).

7:13–14 Although Hiram is summoned from Tyre, the authors are most careful to point out that it is only his father, from whom he had learned his trade, who is a native of that city. His mother is an Israelite widow from the tribe of…