2 Chronicles 2
2 Chronicles 2 records the process in which Solomon prepared for the construction of the temple. This chapter shows that he wanted to build the temple not only with the help of Israel, but also with support from Gentiles. In particular, it specifically mentions that Solomon sent a letter to the king of Tyre, Hiram, requesting timber and craftsmen, along with details about the mustering and organization of manpower for the temple-building work.
1verseNow Solomon decided to build a house for the LORD’s name, and a house for his kingdom.
2verseSolomon counted out seventy thousand men to bear burdens, eighty thousand men who were stone cutters in the mountains, and three thousand six hundred to oversee them.
3verseSolomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, “As you dealt with David my father, and sent him cedars to build him a house in which to dwell, so deal with me.
4verseBehold, I am about to build a house for the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, to burn before him incense of sweet spices, for the continual show bread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths, on the new moons, and on the set feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance forever to Israel.
5verse“The house which I am building will be great, for our God is greater than all gods.
6verseBut who is able to build him a house, since heaven and the heaven of heavens can’t contain him? Who am I then, that I should build him a house, except just to burn incense before him?
7verse“Now therefore send me a man skillful to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in iron, and in purple, crimson, and blue, and who knows how to engrave engravings, to be with the skillful men who are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father provided.
8verse“Send me also cedar trees, cypress trees, and algum trees out of Lebanon, for I know that your servants know how to cut timber in Lebanon. Behold, my servants will be with your servants,
9verseeven to prepare timber in abundance for me; for the house which I am about to build will be great and wonderful.
10verseBehold, I will give to your servants, the cutters who cut timber, twenty thousand cors of beaten wheat, twenty thousand baths of barley, twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.”
11verseThen Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, “Because the LORD loves his people, he has made you king over them.”
12verseHuram continued, “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, who has given to David the king a wise son, endowed with discretion and understanding, who would build a house for the LORD and a house for his kingdom.
13verseNow I have sent a skillful man, endowed with understanding, Huram-abi,
14versethe son of a woman of the daughters of Dan; and his father was a man of Tyre. He is skillful to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in iron, in stone, in timber, in purple, in blue, in fine linen, and in crimson, also to engrave any kind of engraving and to devise any device, that there may be a place appointed to him with your skillful men, and with the skillful men of my lord David your father.
15verse“Now therefore, the wheat, the barley, the oil, and the wine which my lord has spoken of, let him send to his servants;
16verseand we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as you need. We will bring it to you in rafts by sea to Joppa; then you shall carry it up to Jerusalem.”
17verseSolomon counted all the foreigners who were in the land of Israel, after the census with which David his father had counted them; and they found one hundred fifty-three thousand six hundred.
18verseHe set seventy thousand of them to bear burdens, eighty thousand who were stone cutters in the mountains, and three thousand six hundred overseers to assign the people their work.
Structure and Flow of the Text
- Verses 1-2:Solomon prepares for building the temple and his palace
- Verses 3-10:He sends a letter to King Hiram of Tyre requesting help with timber and craftsmen
- Verses 11-16:Hiram responds positively and decides to send the needed materials and craftsmen
- Verses 17-18:Solomon surveys the foreigners in the land of Israel and puts them to work as laborers
Meaning of the Text
This chapter shows how Solomon, a wise king of Israel, prepared for national affairs with careful thoroughness, and how passionately and faithfully he committed himself to the work of building a temple to be offered to God. It is not just that he used resources within Israel; by also maintaining friendly relations with neighboring nations and obtaining professional help, this becomes a symbolic scene in which all the people come together to prepare the house to be offered to God.
Meditation Point
- We can reflect on the fact that God’s work requires community, wisdom, and a humble attitude, as seen in how Solomon thoroughly prepared from the very start of the temple construction and drew on the resources and cooperation of foreigners.
- Through the reasons and purpose of building the temple (verse 9: to bring glory to God), we are led to consider where the center of all our service and mission should be.
Applying it to Myself
- Check whether you are making sufficient preparations and plans in what you do, and whether wise cooperation is taking place.
- Consider in detail and put into practice how you can use your time, talents, and relationships in your life for the glory of God.
