Bible Commentary (1871–1879 Edition)
27ie Offering oj Solonon at Gibeon, 2 CHRONICLES I, II. His Mijssage to Huram, THE
SECOND BOOK OF THE CHEONICLES. here and in other parts of this book—is only incidentally noticed. The duty of building the temple was reserved
CHAPTER I. for Solomon before his birth. As soon as he became king he addressed himself to the wo/ik, and the historian, in proceeding to give an account of the edifice, begins with relating the preliminary arrangements.
Ver. 1-6. Solemn Offering of Solomon at Gibeon. 9. Tlicii Solomon spake niito all Israel—viz., the heads, or leading oflieers, that are afterwards specified, were Bummoued to attend their sovereign in a solemn religious procession. T!ie date of tliis occurrence was the second year of Solomon's reign, and the high place at Gibeon was chosen for the performance of the sacred rites, from the tabernacle and all the ancient furniture connected with the national worship being deposited there. Zadok was the officiating higli priest (1 Chronicles 16. 39). It is true that the ark had Ijeen removed, and placed in a new tent whicli David had made for it at Jerusalem. Bnt the brazen altar, "before the tabernacle of the Lord," on which the burnt offerings were appointed by tlie law to be made, was at Giljeon ; and although David had been led by extraordinary events and tokens of tlie Divine presence to sacrifice on the threshing-floor of Araunah, Solomon considered it liis duty to present his ott'erings ou the legally appointed spot " liefore the tabernacle," and ou the tiiue-honoui-ed altar prepared by the skill of Be/aleel In the wilderness (Exodus 38. 1). 0. offered a thousand bnriit offerings—Tliis holocaust he oH'ered, of course, by the hands of theiriests. The magnitude of the oblation became the rank of the offerer on this occasion of national solemnity.
3-10. His Message to Hukam for .Skilful Artifi Cers. 3. Solomon sent to Hnram—The correspondence was probably conducted on both sides in writing {v. 11; see also ou 1 Kings u. 8). As thou didst deal with Dnvld niy father—This would seem decisive of the question whether the Huram then reigning in Tyre was David's friend (see on 1 Kings 5. 1-6). In opening the business, Solomoifgrounded his request for Tyrian aid ou 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 nuiterials required to be of the most durable qtiality. 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 an house for Him to dwell in, but a temple in which His worsliippers might offer sacrifices to His honour. No language could be more humble and appropriate tlian 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 hail obtained (1 Chronicles 14. 1) were, probably, still remaining in Jerusalem, and had instructed others. But he requin d a master of works; a person capable, like Beznleel (Kxodus X). 31), of superintending and directing every deliartnient; for, as the division of labour was at that time
7-13. His Choice of Wisdom is Blessed by God. 7. In tliat nlg'Itt did God appear unto Solomon—(see on 1 Kings 3. 5).
14-17. His Strength and Wealth. 14. Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen—His passion for horses was greater than that of any Israelitish monarcli before or after him. His stud comprised HOO chariots and 12,000 horses. This was a prohibited indulgence, wliether as an instrument of luxury or power. But it was not merely for his own use that he imported the horses of Egypt. The Immense equestrian establishment he erected was not for Bhow merely, but also for profit. The Egyptian breed of horses was highlj' valued ; and being as fine as Arabians, but larger and more powerful, they were well lilted for being yoked in chariots. These were light, but compact and solid vehicles, without springs. P'rom the price Btated (v. 17) as given for a chariot and a horse, it appears that tlie chariot cost four times the value of a horse. A horse brought 150 shekels, which, estimating the shekels at 2s. 3d. or L>s. 6d., amount to £17 2s. or £1S 1.5s., wliile a chariot brought OOO shekels, equal to £68 9s. or £7.5; and as an Egyptian chariot was usually drawn by two horses, a charioland pair would cost £U2sterling. As the.Syrians, who were fond of the Egyptian breed of liorses, could import Ihem into their own country only tlirough Judea, Solomon early perceived the commercial advantages to be derived from this trade, and established a monopoly. His factors or agents purchased them In the markets or fairs of Egypt,and l)rought them to the " cliarlot cities " little known or observed, an overseer had to be possessed of very versatile talents and experience. The things specifie<l in which he was to be skilled, relate not to the bulliiing, 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-retl and hyacinth colours named, evidently, those stuffs, for the manufacture and dyeing of which the Tyrlans were so famous. "The graving," probably, Including embroidcr.v of figures like cheruhinis In needlework, as well as wood carving of pomegranates and other ornaments. 8. Send me . . . cednr trees, ito.—The cedar and cyi>ress were valued as being both rare and durable; the algum or alnuig trees (likewise a foreign wood), though not got on hebanon, is nu Mitioiunl as l)eing procured through Huram (see on 1 Kings 10.11). 10. Behold, I will f;lve thy servants beaten wheat—Wheat, strljiped of Ihe husk, boiled, and saluraled wllh butter, forms a frequent n\eal with the lab()i\rlng pe<>i)le In the East (cf. 1 Kings .5. 11). There Is no discrepancy bi-lwi-en that passage and this. The yearly supplies of wine and oil, mentioned in the former, were Intended for lluram's court in return for the cedars sent him ; while th(> articles of meat and drink siiecllled hero wiTc for the workmen on Eebanon.
-rthe depots and stables he had erected on the front iers of his kingdom, such ns Heth-marcaboth, "the house of chariots," and Hazor-susah, "tlie village of horses" (Joshua 11). .5; 1 Kings 10. 2X). 17. broitjiht . . . for all the klns of the Illttltcs—A branch of this powerful tribe, when expelled from Palestine, had settled nortli of 11-18. HruAM's Kind Answi'.r. II. llecauiie the Iord hiilli lovetl his people, A'c.—This pious language creates a iiresiimpllon that Huram might have attained soi>ui knowledge of the true religion from his long liuulllar Intercourse with David. But the presumption, however pleasing, may lie deluslvi; (sei' on 1 Kings 5. 7-12). 13, 1*.
1 ebanon, wheie they acquired large possessions contlgaous to the Syrians.
CHAPTER II.
I have sent a euiiulitt; man—(see on 1 Kings 7. 1!?-51). 17, IH. Solomon numbered all the strnngerg, <^c,—(see on 1 Klngsu. 13, 18J.
Ver. 1, 2. Solomon's TjAnouitKus voii BiTiLniNo tiiic Tbmple. 1. Solomon determined to build—The temple la the grand subject of this narrative, while the palace—