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英文原文
The great work which Solomon was raised up to do was the building of the temple; his wealth and wisdom were given him to qualify him for that. In this, especially, he was to be a type of Christ, for "he shall build the temple of the Lord," Zec 6:12. In this chapter we have an account of the preparations he made for that and his other buildings. Gold and silver his good father had prepared in abundance, but timber and stones he must get ready; and about these we have him treating with Hiram king of Tyre. I. Hiram congratulated him on his accession to the throne, 1Ki 5:1. II. Solomon signified to him his design to build the temple and desired him to furnish him with workmen, 1Ki 5:2-6. III. Hiram agreed to do it, 1Ki 5:7-9. IV. Solomon's work was accordingly well done and Hiram's workmen were well paid, 1Ki 5:10-18.
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Solomon's Agreement with Hiram (1014 BC)
所罗门与希兰的协定（公元前1014年）
¹ 推罗王希兰差遣臣仆来见所罗门，因为他听见人膏所罗门接续他父亲作王；因为希兰素来喜爱大卫。 ² 所罗门差遣人去见希兰，说： ³ 你知道我父亲大卫因四围的争战，不能为耶和华他神的名建殿，直等到耶和华使仇敌都服在他脚下。 ⁴ 现在耶和华我的神使我四围平安，没有仇敌，没有灾祸。 ⁵ 我定意为耶和华我神的名建殿，正如耶和华对我父亲大卫所说的话，说：你的儿子，我必使他在你的位上接续你，他必为我的名建殿。 ⁶ 所以你当吩咐人从黎巴嫩为我砍伐香柏木，我的仆人也必与你的仆人一同作工；至于给你仆人的工价，我必照你所定的给他们；因为在我们中间没有人像西顿人善于砍伐树木。 ⁷ 希兰听见所罗门的话，就甚喜悦，说：今日应当称颂耶和华，因他赐给大卫一个有智慧的儿子，治理这众多的民。 ⁸ 希兰差遣人去见所罗门，说：你差遣人向我求的事，我已经听见了；论到香柏木和松木，我必照你所愿的行。 ⁹ 我的仆人必将这木料从黎巴嫩运到海边，扎成筏子浮海运到你所指定我的地方；在那里我必解开，你就可在那里收取。你也要成全我的心愿，将食物给我的家。
此处记载了所罗门与希兰之间友好的往来。推罗是一座著名的商业城市，紧靠海边，在以色列的边境上；其居民（看来）不是那些当灭之国的国民，也从未与以色列为敌，因此大卫从未试图毁灭他们，而是与他们和睦相处。此处论到他们的王希兰，说「他素来喜爱大卫」；我们有理由认为他敬拜真神，自己虽然不能改革他那城的偶像崇拜，却已弃绝了它。大卫的品格能赢得甚至连那些在外的局外人的心。此处有，
一、希兰对所罗门的礼节性使节，王上5:1。他差遣人去——如同君王之间常行的——就大卫的死向所罗门致吊，并在他继位掌权之时与他更新盟约。与那些以宗教为首要之事的家庭保持友谊和交通，是好的。
二、所罗门对希兰的事务性使节，大概是他自己的使者送去的。论财富、尊荣和权势，希兰远不及所罗门，然而所罗门却有求于他，恳求他的恩惠。我们切勿轻看在我们以下的人，因为我们不知何时可能需要他们。所罗门在给希兰的信中，把以下几件事告诉他：
1. 他为荣耀神而建殿的计划。有人认为外邦人中的庙宇，最初是源自摩西在旷野所立的会幕，以此为蓝本，在那之前并没有庙宇；无论如何，在为以色列的神建殿之前，已有多处殿宇为假神而建，可见外在的华美并不是真教会的标记。所罗门告诉对此事并不陌生的希兰：（1）大卫的争战阻挡了他，使他虽有意却不能建造这殿，王上5:3。那些争战占去了他大量的时间、心思和忧虑，对他是一种不断的耗费，对他臣民也是一种不断的征用；以至他不能按着当行的去作这事，而这又不是信仰的本质所在，因此他必须留给他的继任者去作。可见我们何等需要祷告求神「在我们的日子赐平安」，因为在战争之时，福音之殿的建造通常进展缓慢。（2）平安给了他建造的机会，因此他决意立即着手：「神已使我四围安息」（王上5:4），没有仇敌——「没有撒但」（原文如此），没有撒但的工具来反对，或使我们分心。撒但尽其所能阻碍建殿之工（帖前2:18，亚3:1），但他被捆绑之时（启20:2），我们应当殷勤。当「没有灾祸」之时，就当在善事上奋发热心，竭力推进。教会平安之时就当被建立（徒9:31）。太平盛世的日子为我们提供了顺风，我们若不善用，就必为此交账。正如神的护理借着赐给所罗门财富和闲暇激发他想到建殿，照样他的应许也鼓励他。神曾告诉大卫，他的「儿子必为他建殿」（王上5:5）。他以如此被使用为乐，也不愿失去那应许所赐给他的尊荣。确知善工必有好的成功，能大大激发我们投身其中。愿神的应许激发我们的努力。
2. 他希望希兰在此事上帮助他。黎巴嫩是必须取木材之地，那是迦南北部的一片大森林，在那地赐予以色列之时特别指明——「全黎巴嫩」（书13:5）。因此所罗门是其中一切出产的拥有者。「黎巴嫩的香柏树」被说成是特别属于「耶和华所栽种的」（诗104:16〔原文如此〕），专为以色列使用，尤其为圣殿之用而设。但所罗门承认，虽然树木是他的，以色列人却没有西顿人——希兰的臣民——那样「砍伐树木的技能」。迦南是「小麦大麦之地」（申8:8），使以色列人忙于农事，所以他们在工艺制造上毫不熟练：在这些方面西顿人最为擅长。以色列在属神的事上是「有智慧有聪明」的百姓，然而在精巧技艺上却不及邻邦。真实的敬虔是比最高程度的聪明才智更有价值的天赐之恩。作一个精通律法的以色列人，胜过作一个善于砍伐树木的西顿人。既如此，所罗门便请求希兰差遣工匠给他，并应许（王上5:6）既「协助」他们（「我的仆人必与你的仆人一同」在他们之下作工），又「支付」他们（「至于给你仆人的工价，我必照你所定的给他们」）；因为作工的，即使在圣工之中——圣工虽本身就是它的工价——「得他的工价也是应当的」。那位传福音的先知预言弥赛亚之日教会的荣耀时，似乎正是暗指这一故事（赛60:1-22），他在那里预言：（1）「外邦人的儿子」（如推罗人和西顿人）「必建造」福音之殿的「城墙」（赛60:10）。外邦人中将兴起执事来建立基督的身体。（2）「黎巴嫩的荣耀」必被带到其中使之「得荣耀」（赛60:13）。一切外在的才干和优势必都服事于基督国度的利益。
3. 希兰对这信息的领受和回复。
（1）他自己极其喜悦地领受：他「甚喜悦」（王上5:7），因所罗门踏着父亲的脚步，继承他的计划，并看来必成为他国度的极大祝福。希兰慷慨的心灵为此欢喜，并不单因看见自己可借所罗门的雇佣而得利的指望。他所得的喜乐，他归荣耀给神：「应当称颂耶和华」，因他赐给大卫（他自己本是有智慧的人）「一个有智慧的儿子」治理「这众多的民」。请看，〔1〕希兰以何等的喜悦说到所罗门的智慧和他国度的广大。愿我们学会不嫉妒别人在世俗的优势或心智的恩赐上胜过我们。看见宗教和智慧在家族中一代一代地保持下去，尤其在大族以及对别人有大影响力的家族中，这对那些愿神百姓得益处的人是何等大的安慰！哪里如此，神就必得着其中的荣耀。若敬虔的父母得赐敬虔的后裔（玛2:15），这就是一个恩待的记号，也是祝福的传承不被切断的蒙福迹象。
（2）他使所罗门极其满意地回答了他，允准他所求的，并表明自己十分乐意帮助他所着手的那伟大善工。此处有他与所罗门关于此事的协定条款，在其中我们可以看到希兰的谨慎。〔1〕他在回复之前先对提议加以思量（王上5:8）：「我已经听见了。」草率立约的人，后来常巴不得未曾立过。才德的妇人「想清楚」一块田地，然后才「买来」（箴31:16）。花时间思想的人，并不浪费时间。〔2〕他在条款上详及细节，免得日后有误解，引起争端。所罗门曾说到砍伐树木（王上5:6），希兰就同意他所求的关于砍伐的事（王上5:8）；但关于运输的事并未提及，因此这事必须定妥。陆运必极为麻烦且昂贵；因此他承担把一切木材从黎巴嫩由海路运下——一段沿海的航程。水路运输对贸易是极大的便利，为此当把赞美归给那把这种聪明教导人的神。请看希兰订立了何等明确的合约。所罗门必须指定木材交卸的地点，希兰就承担把木材运到那里，并对它的安全负责。正如西顿人在木工上胜过以色列人，他们在航行上也如此；因为推罗和西顿「坐落在海口的入口」（结27:3）：因此他们最适合照料水路运输。Tractant fabrilia fabri——各匠有其本行〔译注：拉丁谚语，意为各有所长〕。〔3〕希兰既承担工程，并「照所罗门所愿的论到木材」（王上5:8）而行，他公正地期望所罗门也承担工价：「『你也要成全我的心愿，将食物给我的家』（王上5:9），不只为工匠，也为我自己的家。」若推罗供给以色列工匠，以色列就供给推罗粮食（结27:17）。如此，借着神智慧的安排，一国需要另一国，也因另一国而得益，使万国之间得以彼此往来、彼此依存，归于我们共同的父——神——的荣耀。
¹⁰ 于是希兰照所罗门所要的，给他香柏木和松木。 ¹¹ 所罗门给希兰麦子二万歌珥，作为他家的食物，清油二十歌珥；所罗门每年都是这样给希兰。 ¹² 耶和华照着所应许的赐智慧给所罗门；希兰与所罗门和好，二人立约。 ¹³ 所罗门王从以色列人中挑取服苦的人，共有三万。 ¹⁴ 他派他们轮流，每月一万人上黎巴嫩去：一个月在黎巴嫩，两个月在家里；亚多尼兰掌管他们。 ¹⁵ 所罗门有七万扛抬的，八万在山上凿石的。 ¹⁶ 此外所罗门还有三千三百督工的，监管百姓作工。 ¹⁷ 王下令，人就将大石头、宝贵的石头、凿成的石头运来，为立殿的根基。 ¹⁸ 所罗门的匠人和希兰的匠人，并凿石的人，一同把石头凿成；又预备木料和石头建殿。
此处有，一、所罗门与希兰之间协定的履行。双方各都兑现了承诺。1. 希兰按约将木材交给所罗门，王上5:10。树木本是所罗门的，但也许——Materiam superabat opus——工艺比材料更有价值〔译注：奥维德语，意为技艺胜过材料〕。所以说希兰「给了」树木。2. 所罗门把所应许的粮食运给希兰，王上5:11。如此当「追求」公义（申16:20之语）——在每一笔交易中，双方都当公义。
二、借此二人之间友谊的坚固。「神赐给所罗门智慧」（王上5:12），这比希兰所作或所能给的更好、更多；但这使希兰爱他，并使所罗门能善用他的善意，以至二人都情愿使他们彼此的爱成熟为彼此的盟约，使之长久。与我们所发现诚实公正的人坚固友谊，是智慧之举，免得新交不如旧友那样坚定、那样恩厚。
三、所罗门在预备建殿材料上所雇佣的工人。1. 有些是以色列人，受雇作较轻松、较尊贵的那部分工作——砍伐树木并协助规整，与希兰的仆人一同作工；为此他指派了三万人，但每次只雇用一万人，因此每作一个月的工，便有两个月的休假，既可休息，又可处理自己在家里的事务，王上5:13、14。这虽是圣殿的事奉，所罗门却注意不使他们过度劳苦。为大的人当想到，他们的仆人也和他们一样需要休息。2. 另一些是被掳的外邦人，他们要扛抬、要凿石（王上5:15），我们没有读到这些人像前者那样有休息时间，因为他们被判定为服苦。3. 还有一些被派作指导和监工（王上5:16），三千三百人监管百姓，他们在自己的岗位上与工人在他们的岗位上一样必要、一样有用；此处动用了许多手、许多眼，因为现在要预备的，不仅是圣殿，还有所罗门其余的一切建筑——在耶路撒冷，以及在这里黎巴嫩的林中，和他国度中的其他地方，参见王上9:17-19。他自己说到他所从事的浩大工程（传2:4：「我为自己动大工程」），这些工程需要如此众多的工人。
四、圣殿根基的立定；因为建殿是他心所最切意的，所以他由此开始，王上5:17、18。看来所罗门亲自在场，主持圣殿的奠基，而第一块石头（如著名建筑所常行的）是带着某种隆重仪式立下的。「所罗门下令，他们就运来宝贵的石头」作根基；他凡事要行得与自己相称，慷慨大方，因此要把一些最宝贵的石头安放——或更恰当地说，埋藏——在根基里，虽然这些石头既然看不见，差一点的也尽可凑合。那被立为根基的基督，是「蒙拣选、宝贵的房角石」（赛28:16），而教会的根基据说「是以蓝宝石立定的」（赛54:11），参启21:19。那作为我们福音之完全的真诚，要求我们把根基立得稳固，并在我们宗教中那在人眼前看不见的部分上费最多的心力。
英文原文
Solomon's Agreement with Hiram (1014 BC)
¹ 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.
² And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,
³ 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.
⁴ But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.
⁵ And, behold, I purpose to build a 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 a house unto my name.
⁶ 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.
⁷ 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.
⁸ 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.
⁹ My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household.
We have here an account of the amicable correspondence between Solomon and Hiram. Tyre was a famous trading city, that lay close upon the sea, in the border of Israel; its inhabitants (as should seem) were none of the devoted nations, nor ever at enmity with Israel, and therefore David never offered to destroy them, but lived in friendship with them. It is here said of Hiram their king that he was ever a lover of David; and we have reason to think he was a worshipper of the true God, and had himself renounced, though he could not reform, the idolatry of his city. David's character will win the affections even of those that are without. Here is,
I. Hiram's embassy of compliment to Solomon, 1Ki 5:1. He sent, as is usual among princes, to condole with him on the death of David, and to renew his alliances with him upon his succession to the government. It is good keeping up friendship and communion with the families in which religion is uppermost.
II. Solomon's embassy of business to Hiram, sent, it is likely, by messengers of his own. In wealth, honour, and power, Hiram was very much inferior to Solomon, yet Solomon had occasion to be beholden to him and begged his favour. Let us never look with disdain on those below us, because we know not how soon we may need them. Solomon, in his letter to Hiram, acquaints him,
1. With his design to build a temple to the honour of God. Some think that temples among the heathen took their first rise and copy from the tabernacle which Moses erected in the wilderness, and that there were none before that; however there were many houses built in honour of the false gods before this was built in honour of the God of Israel, so little is external splendour a mark of the true church. Solomon tells Hiram, who was himself no stranger to the affair, (1.) That David's wars were an obstruction to him, that he could not build this temple, though he designed it, 1Ki 5:3. They took up much of his time, and thoughts, and cares, were a constant expense to him and a constant employment of his subjects; so that he could not do it so well as it must be done, and therefore, it not being essential to religion, he must leave it to be done by his successor. See what need we have to pray that God will give peace in our time, because, in time or war, the building of the gospel temple commonly goes on slowly. (2.) That peace gave him an opportunity to build it, and therefore he resolved to set about it immediately: God has given me rest both at home and abroad, and there is no adversary (1Ki 5:4), no Satan (so the word is), no instrument of Satan to oppose it, or to divert us from it. Satan does all he can to hinder temple work (1Th 2:18, Zec 3:1), but when he is bound (Re 20:2) we should be busy. When there is no evil occurrent, then let us be vigorous and zealous in that which is good and get it forward. When the churches have rest let them be edified, Ac 9:31. Days of peace and prosperity present us with a fair gale, which we must account for if we improve not. As God's providence excited Solomon to think of building the temple, by giving him wealth and leisure, so his promise encouraged him. God had told David that his son should build him a house, 1Ki 5:5. He will take it as a pleasure to be thus employed, and will not lose the honour designed him by that promise. It may stir us up much to good undertakings to be assured of good success in them. Let God's promise quicken our endeavours.
2. With his desire that Hiram would assist him herein. Lebanon was the place whence timber must be had, a noble forest in the north of Canaan, particularly expressed in the grant of that land to Israel—all Lebanon, Jos 13:5. So that Solomon was proprietor of all its productions. The cedars of Lebanon are spoken of as, in a special manner, the planting of the Lord (Ps 109:16), being designed for Israel's use and particularly for temple service. But Solomon owned that though the trees were his the Israelites had not skill to hew timber like the Sidonians, who were Hiram's subjects. Canaan was a land of wheat and barley (De 8:8), which employed Israel in the affairs of husbandry, so that they were not at all versed in manufactures: in them the Sidonians excelled. Israel, in the things of God, are a wise and understanding people; and yet, in curious arts, inferior to their neighbours. True piety is a much more valuable gift of heaven than the highest degree of ingenuity. Better be an Israelite skilful in the law than a Sidonian skilful to hew timber. But, the case being thus, Solomon courts Hiram to send him workmen, and promises (1Ki 5:6) both to assist them (my servants shall be with thy servants, to work under them), and to pay them (unto thee will I give hire for thy servants); for the labourer, even in church-work, though it be indeed its own wages, is worthy of his hire, The evangelical prophet, foretelling the glory of the church in the days of the Messiah, seems to allude to this story, Isa 60:1-22, where he prophesies, (1.) That the sons of strangers (such were the Tyrians and Sidonians) shall build up the wall of the gospel temple, Isa 60:10. Ministers were raised up among the Gentiles for the edifying of the body of Christ. (2.) That the glory of Lebanon shall be brought to it to beautify it, Isa 60:13. All external endowments and advantages shall be made serviceable to the interests of Christ's kingdom.
3. Hiram's reception of, and return to, this message.
(1.) He received it with great satisfaction to himself: He rejoiced greatly (1Ki 5:7) that Solomon trod in his father's steps, and carried on his designs, and was likely to be so great a blessing to his kingdom. In this Hiram's generous spirit rejoiced, and not merely in the prospect he had of making an advantage to himself by Solomon's employing him. What he had the pleasure of he gave God the praise of: Blessed be the Lord, who has given to David (who was himself a wise man) a wise son to rule over this great people. See here, [1.] With what pleasure Hiram speaks of Solomon's wisdom and the extent of his dominion. Let us learn not to envy others either those secular advantages or those endowments of the mind wherein they excel us. What a great comfort it is to those that wish well to the Israel of God to see religion and wisdom kept up in families from one generation to another, especially in great families and those that have great influence on others! where it is so, God must have the glory of it. If to godly parents be given a godly seed (Mal 2:15), it is a token for good, and a happy indication that the entail of the blessing shall not be cut off.
(2.) He answered it with great satisfaction to Solomon, granting him what he desired, and showing himself very forward to assist him in this great and good work to which he was laying his hand. We have here his articles of agreement with Solomon concerning this affair, in which we may observe Hiram's prudence. [1.] He deliberated upon the proposal, before he returned an answer (1Ki 5:8): I have considered the things. It is common for those that make bargains rashly afterwards to wish them unmade again. The virtuous woman considers a field and then buys it, Pr 31:16. Those do not lose time who take time to consider. [2.] He descended to particulars in the articles, that there might be no misunderstanding afterwards, to occasion a quarrel. Solomon had spoken of hewing the trees (1Ki 5:6), and Hiram agrees to what he desired concerning that (1Ki 5:8); but nothing had been said concerning carriage, and this matter therefore must be settled. Land-carriage would be very troublesome and chargeable; he therefore undertakes to bring all the timber down from Lebanon by sea, a coasting voyage. Conveyance by water is a great convenience to trade, for which God is to have praise, who taught man that discretion. Observe what a definite bargain Hiram made. Solomon must appoint the place where the timber shall be delivered, and thither Hiram will undertake to bring it and be responsible for its safety. As the Sidonians excelled the Israelites in timber-work, so they did in sailing; for Tyre and Sidon were situate at the entry of the sea (Eze 27:3): they therefore were fittest to take care of the water-carriage. Tractant fabrilia fabri—Every artist has his trade assigned. And, [3.] If Hiram undertake for the work, and do all Solomon's desire concerning the timber (1Ki 5:8), he justly expects that Solomon shall undertake for the wages: "Thou shalt accomplish my desire in giving food for my household (1Ki 5:9), not only for the workmen, but for my own family." If Tyre supply Israel with craftsmen, Israel will supply Tyre with corn, Eze 27:17. Thus, by the wise disposal of Providence, one country has need of another and is benefited by another, that there may be mutual correspondence and dependence, to the glory of God our common parent.
¹⁰ So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire.
¹¹ And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year.
¹² And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.
¹³ And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.
¹⁴ And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses: a month they were in Lebanon, and two months at home: and Adoniram was over the levy.
¹⁵ And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains;
¹⁶ Beside the chief of Solomon's officers which were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in the work.
¹⁷ And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.
¹⁸ And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.
Here is, I. The performance of the agreement between Solomon and Hiram. Each of the parties made good his engagement. 1. Hiram delivered Solomon the timber, according to his bargain, 1Ki 5:10. The trees were Solomon's, but perhaps—Materiam superabat opus—The workmanship was of more value than the article. Hiram is therefore said to deliver the trees. 2. Solomon conveyed to Hiram the corn which he had promised him, 1Ki 5:11. Thus let justice be followed (as the expression is, De 16:20), justice on both sides, in every bargain.
II. The confirmation of the friendship that was between them hereby. God gave Solomon wisdom (1Ki 5:12), which was more and better than any thing Hiram did or could give him; but this made Hiram love him, and enabled Solomon to improve his kindness, so that they were both willing to ripen their mutual love into a mutual league, that it might be lasting. It is wisdom to strengthen our friendship with those whom we find to be honest and fair, lest new friends prove not so firm and so kind as old ones.
III. The labourers whom Solomon employed in preparing materials for the temple. 1. Some were Israelites, who were employed in the more easy and honourable part of the work, felling trees and helping to square them, in conjunction with Hiram's servants; for this he appointed 30,000, but employed only 10,000 at a time, so that for one month's work they had two months' vacation, both for rest and for the despatch of their own affairs at home, 1Ki 5:13,14. It was temple service, yet Solomon takes care that they shall not be over-worked. Great men ought to consider that their servants must rest as well as they. 2. Others were captives of other nations, who were to bear burdens and to hew stone (1Ki 5:15), and we read not that these had their resting times as the other had, for they were doomed to servitude. 3. There were some employed as directors and overseers (1Ki 5:16), 3300 that ruled over the people, and they were as necessary and useful in their place as the labourers in theirs; here were many hands and many eyes employed, for preparation was now to be made, not only for the temple, but for all the rest of Solomon's buildings, at Jerusalem, and here in the forest of Lebanon, and in other places of his dominion, of which see 1Ki 9:17-19. He speaks of the vastness of his undertakings (Ec 2:4, I made me great works), which required this vast number of workmen.
IV. The laying of the foundation of the temple; for that is the building his heart is chiefly upon, and therefore he begins with that, 1Ki 5:17,18. It should seem, Solomon was himself present, and president, at the founding of the temple, and that the first stone (as has been usual in famous buildings) was laid with some solemnity. Solomon commanded and they brought costly stones for the foundation; he would do every thing like himself, generously, and therefore would have some of the costliest stones laid, or buried rather, in the foundation, though, being out of sight, worse might have served. Christ, who is laid for a foundation, is an elect and precious stone (Isa 28:16), and the foundations of the church are said to be laid with sapphires, Isa 54:11, compare Re 21:19. That sincerity which is our gospel perfection obliges us to lay our foundation firm and to bestow most pains on that part of our religion which lies out of the sight of men.
所罗门受命兴起所要成就的大工，便是建造圣殿；神赐他财富与智慧，正是为使他堪当此任。在此事上他尤为基督的预表，因为"他要建造耶和华的殿"，亚6:12。本章记述他为圣殿及其他工程所作的预备。他敬虔的父亲已丰丰富富地预备了金银，但木料与石料尚须他亲自备办；于是他与推罗王希兰就此商议。本章记载如下：I. 希兰祝贺他登基，王上5:1。II. 所罗门向他表明建造圣殿的计划，并请他供给工匠，王上5:2-6。III. 希兰应允此事，王上5:7-9。IV. 所罗门的工程因此顺利进行，希兰的工人也得了丰厚的工价，王上5:10-18。