January 29, 2003

2 Chronicles 2

Solomon intending to build a temple for God, and a palace for himself, sent to Hiram, king of Tyre, to furnish him with materials and workmen, #2Ch 2:1-10, to which Hiram returned an agreeable answer, #2Ch 2:11-16, and for this service Solomon numbered all the strangers in Israel, #2Ch 2:17,18. (Gill)

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Solomon's trading, which we read of in the close of the foregoing chapter, and the encouragement he gave both to merchandise and manufacturers, were very commendable. But building was the work he was designed for, and to that business he is here applying himself. Here is,

I. Solomon's determination to build the temple and a royal palace, and his appointing labourers to be employed herein, #2Ch 2:1-2,17-18.

II. His request to Huram king of Tyre to furnish him both with artists and materials, #2Ch 2:3-10. (MH)

III. Huram's obliging answer to, and compliance with, his request, #2Ch 2:11-16.

V. 1, Solomon was raised up to build the house of the Lord, and build he did. We have been raised up to build the kingdom of God on earth. Are we determined to do so?

V. 2, notice that God's people did not do the work, but got someone else to do it, the strangers, v. 17. Who do we let do the work we are to be doing for the Lord?

V. 3, the best skilled artisans were from Tyre. Though Israel furnished skilled workmen, the best were from Tyre.

V. 10, Solomon was rich, and he did not gain wealth by withholding pay from the workmen. The laborer is worthy of his hire, and Solomon paid then well, not with bread and water, but with wheat, barley, wine and oil.

V. 11, it is a blessing from God when he gives people leaders (civil and religious) who build His work, kingdom and house.

Vv. 17, 18, Solomon used the strangers to do the work. I wonder how wise this is? Should not God's people want to do the work of the Lord?

All the strangers. These were the ones God commanded Israel to destroy. They chose the easy life over obedience to God, and let them live to serve Israel, and do their work for them. This led to their downfall.

The temple was glorious, but not as glorious as Jesus, Matthew 12:6.