The two pillars, the one sea: The two pillars are the bronze columns mentioned in verse 13. The one sea refers to the same large bronze container mentioned in verse 13. The use of the expressions the one and the two should probably be understood simply as a way of emphasizing that while there were two pillars, the object referred to as “the sea” was unique. In many languages, however, it will be sufficient to say simply “the two pillars and the large bronze container [called the Sea].”

The stands: See verse 13.

Which Solomon had made: It is legitimate to add the title “King” to the name Solomon as Good News Translation and some ancient translations have done. The role of Solomon in the construction of the Temple is described in 1 Kgs 7.

The bronze of all these vessels was beyond weight: This means that these bronze objects together were so heavy that an accurate measure of their weight could not be made. The meaning is similar to that expressed in 1 Kgs 7.47. Some might have to say “there was so much bronze that people could not measure its weight” or “It was impossible to weigh all the bronze” (Bible en français courant).

Quoted with permission from Omanson, Roger L. and Ellington, John E. A Handbook on 1-2 Kings, Volume 2. (UBS Helps for Translators). New York: UBS, 2008. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .