2 Chronicles 2

2Ch 2:1, 2.

SOLOMON'S

LABORERS FOR

BUILDING THE

TEMPLE.

1. Solomon determined to build--The temple is the grand subject of

this narrative, while the palace--here and in other parts of this

book--is only incidentally noticed. The duty of building the temple was

reserved for Solomon before his birth. As soon as he became king, he

addressed himself to the work, and the historian, in proceeding to give

an account of the edifice, begins with relating the preliminary

arrangements.

2Ch 2:3-10.

HIS

MESSAGE TO

HURAM FOR

SKILFUL

ARTIFICERS.

3-6. Solomon sent to Huram--The correspondence was probably conducted

on both sides in writing

(2Ch 2:11;

also see on

1Ki 5:8).

As thou didst deal with David my father--This would seem decisive of

the question whether the Huram then reigning in Tyre was David's friend

(see on

1Ki 5:1-6).

In opening the business, Solomon grounded his request for Tyrian aid on

two reasons: 1. The temple he proposed to build must be a solid and

permanent building because the worship was to be continued in

perpetuity; and therefore the building materials must be of the most

durable quality. 2. It must be a magnificent structure because it was

to be dedicated to the God who was greater than all gods; and,

therefore, as it might seem a presumptuous idea to erect an edifice for

a Being "whom the heaven and the heaven of heavens do not contain," it

was explained that Solomon's object was not to build a house for Him to

dwell in, but a temple in which His worshippers might offer sacrifices

to His honor. No language could be more humble and appropriate than

this. The pious strain of sentiment was such as became a king of

Israel.

7. Send me now therefore a man cunning to work--Masons and carpenters

were not asked for. Those whom David had obtained

(1Ch 14:1)

were probably still remaining in Jerusalem, and had instructed others.

But he required a master of works; a person capable, like Bezaleel

(Ex 35:31),

of superintending and directing every department; for, as the division

of labor was at that time little known or observed, an overseer had to

be possessed of very versatile talents and experience. The things

specified, in which he was to be skilled, relate not to the building,

but the furniture of the temple. Iron, which could not be obtained in

the wilderness when the tabernacle was built, was now, through

intercourse with the coast, plentiful and much used. The cloths

intended for curtains were, from the crimson or scarlet-red and

hyacinth colors named, evidently those stuffs, for the manufacture and

dyeing of which the Tyrians were so famous. "The graving," probably,

included embroidery of figures like cherubim in needlework, as well as

wood carving of pomegranates and other ornaments.

8. Send me . . . cedar trees, &c.--The cedar and

cypress were valued as being both rare and durable; the algum or almug

trees (likewise a foreign wood), though not found on Lebanon, are

mentioned as being procured through Huram (see on

1Ki 10:11).

10. behold, I will give to thy servants . . . beaten wheat--Wheat,

stripped of the husk, boiled, and saturated with butter, forms a

frequent meal with the laboring people in the East (compare

1Ki 5:11).

There is no discrepancy between that passage and this. The yearly

supplies of wine and oil, mentioned in the former, were intended for

Huram's court in return for the cedars sent him; while the articles of

meat and drink specified here were for the workmen on Lebanon.

2Ch 2:11-18.

HURAM'S

KIND

ANSWER.

11. Because the Lord hath loved his people, &c.--This pious language

creates a presumption that Huram might have attained some knowledge of

the true religion from his long familiar intercourse with David. But

the presumption, however pleasing, may be delusive

(see on

1Ki 5:7).

13, 14. I have sent a cunning

man--(See on

1Ki 7:13-51).

17, 18. Solomon numbered all the strangers,

&c.--(See on

1Ki 5:13;

1Ki 5:18).