17 There were nets of open-work for the crowns on the tops of the pillars, a net of open-work for one and a net of open-work for the other. 18 And he made ornaments of apples; and two lines of apples all round over the network, covering the crowns of the pillars, the two crowns in the same way. 19 The crowns on the tops of the pillars were ornamented with a design of flowers, and were four cubits across. 20 And there were crowns on the two pillars near the round part by the network, and there were two hundred apples in lines round every crown. 21 He put up the pillars at the doorway of the Temple, naming the one on the right Jachin, and that on the left Boaz.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 7:17-21
Commentary on 1 Kings 7:13-47
(Read 1 Kings 7:13-47)
The two brazen pillars in the porch of the temple, some think, were to teach those that came to worship, to depend upon God only, for strength and establishment in all their religious exercises. "Jachin," God will fix this roving mind. It is good that the heart be established with grace. "Boaz," In him is our strength, who works in us both to will and to do. Spiritual strength and stability are found at the door of God's temple, where we must wait for the gifts of grace, in use of the means of grace. Spiritual priests and spiritual sacrifices must be washed in the laver of Christ's blood, and of regeneration. We must wash often, for we daily contract pollution. There are full means provided for our cleansing; so that if we have our lot for ever among the unclean it will be our own fault. Let us bless God for the fountain opened by the sacrifice of Christ for sin and for uncleanness.