Commentari biblici

And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David.

And Hiram. — Called Huram. 2 Chronicles 2:3 Josephus calleth him Irom, and Eupolemus in Eusebius Suron. He was king of Tyre and Sidon also.

For Hiram was ever a lover of David. — A fast friend is a rare bird. Most friends now-a-days are like Joab’s dagger, as soon in and as soon out. The love of foster-brothers in Ireland far surpasseth - saith one, Camden’s Elisab., 483. but I believe him not - all the loves of all men. They only love truly that love one another out of a pure heart fervently. 1 Peter 1:22 This love lasteth.

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And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,

And Solomon sent to Hiram. — By the same messengers, say some. Rather by ambassadors of his own.

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Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.

For the wars that were about him. — He saith not for his shedding of blood, which elsewhere is made the reason why David might not build a house, 1 Chronicles 28:3 but only for his continual wars, by reason whereof he had not time to do it. The best things are to be spoken of parents: to speak evil to them, κακολογων . or of them, was death by God’s law; Matthew 15:5 yea, by Solon’s laws, though a heathen.

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But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, [so that there is] neither adversary nor evil occurrent.

So that there is neither adversary. — The Vulgate hath it, Non est Satan. We use to say, Seldom lieth the devil dead in a ditch. He is the troublous one, ο πονηρος . and delighteth to hinder anything that is good; but at this time God had chained him up, and Solomon had nothing to hinder him. "The Lord is with you, whilst ye are with him," saith one prophet. 2 Chronicles 15:2 And, "The Lord will be with the good," saith another. 2 Chronicles 19:11

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And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.

To build a house unto the name. — Wherein he became a type of Christ, who buildeth his Church, that spiritual temple. See Isaiah 44:28 Matthew 16:18 . In the Old Testament the brass gates were opened to make way for the building of that temple; Isaiah 45:2 but in the New, those gates of hell shall not gainstand, or prevail.

As the Lord spake unto David. — Solomon’s purpose was founded upon God’s gracious promise. This was a right rise, for want whereof many men’s purposes, like clouds without rain, vanish, and come to nothing.

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Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that [there is] not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians.

That they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon. — Satan, though he could not hinder the building of the temple, 1 Kings 5:4 yet he would needs imitate it, and, if possible, outdo it; for his temple of Diana, at Ephesus, was likewise built of cedar, as Vitruvius relateth, and was much longer and larger than this at Jerusalem, as others assure us.

And my servants shall be with thy servants. — Only Jews meddled with the tabernacle; but the temple is not built without the aid of the Gentile Tyrians. They, together with us, make up the Church of God. See Ephesians 2:13-14 .

That can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians. — Various men have their various gifts; and various countries their various abilities. These, as they have from God, so they must use them for him. Isaiah 28:26 ; Isaiah 28:29 Romans 11:36

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And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed [be] the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people.

Blessed be the Lord this day. — His carefulness he improveth unto thankfulness, whence some conclude him a proselyted prince. And surely thankfulness to the true God is a good sign of true grace. The Greeks have but one word ( χαρις ) to signify both.

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And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: [and] I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir.

I have considered. — Heb., Heard. A request is to be considered ere it be granted, lest men come in afterwards with the fool’s, Had I known. ουκ ψμην .

And concerning timber of fir. — Whereof there was much use made about the temple. 1 Kings 6:15 Algum trees also were sent from Lebanon, 2 Chronicles 2:8 which were a wood that is unknown to us, but most precious.

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