His twelve officers. Before CHRIST 1014. | Or, 1 Or, | Or, Benabinadab. 1 Or, | Or, to Mahanaim. 7 And Solomon had twelve offi- 18 Shimei the son of Elah, in Ben- 8 And these are their names The son of Hur, in mount Ephraim: 9 The son of Dekar, in Makaz, and in Shaalbim, and Beth-shemesh, and Elon-beth-hanan : 10 The son of Hesed, in Aruboth; to him pertained Sochoh, and all the land of Hepher: 11 || The son of Abinadab, in all the region of Dor; which had Taphath the daughter of Solomon to wife: 12 Baana the son of Ahilud; to him pertained Taanach and Megiddo, and all Beth-shean, which is by Zartanah beneath Jezreel, from Bethshean to Abel-meholah, even unto the place that is beyond Jokneam : 13 || The son of Geber, in Ramothgilead; to him pertained the towns of Jair the son of Manasseh, which are in Gilead; to him also pertained the region of Argob, which is in Bashan, threescore great cities with walls and brasen bars: 14 Ahinadab the son of Iddo had || Mahanaim: 15 Ahimaaz was in Naphtali; he also took Basmath the daughter of Solomon to wife : 16 Baanah the son of Hushai was in Asher and in Aloth: 19 Geber the son of Uri was in the country of Gilead, in the country of Sihon king of the Amorites, and of Og king of Bashan; and he was the only officer which was in the land. 20 Judah and Israel were many, as the sand which is by the sea in multitude, eating and drinking, and making merry. 15. Before CHRIST 1014. 21 And Solomon reigned over all b Ecclus. 47. kingdoms from the river unto the land of the Philistines, and unto the border of Egypt: they brought presents, and served Solomon all the days of his life. 22¶ And Solomon's +provision for † Heb. bread. one day was thirty measures of fine + Heb. cors. flour, and threescore measures of meal, 23 Ten fat oxen, and twenty oxen out of the pastures, and an hundred sheep, beside harts, and roebucks, and fallow deer, and fatted fowl. 24 For he had dominion over all the region on this side the river, from Tiphsah even to Azzah, over all the kings on this side the river: and he had peace on all sides round about him. 25 And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine + Heb. and under his fig tree, from Dan confidently. even to Beer-sheba, all the days of Solomon. 26¶ And Solomon had forty c 2 Chron. 9. thousand stalls of horses for his cha- 25. 17 Jehoshaphat the son of Paruah, riots, and twelve thousand horsein Issachar : 11.-which had Taphath the daughter of Solomon] Solomon had no daughters marriageable when these officers were appointed: we must understand therefore, that this person in aftertimes had Solomon's daughter to wife, probably in reward of good behaviour in his office. Bp. Patrick. - 19. he was the only officer-in the land.] The only officer in that part of the land, though it was much greater than the other parts. Dr. Wells. 20.-eating and drinking, &c.] Living in perfect plenty and security, and being highly satisfied with their situation. Bp. Patrick. 21.-from the river unto the land of the Philistines,] The boundaries of Solomon's kingdom were, the Euphrates to the east, (that river being here, as in other places of Scripture, called the river by way of eminence, without any addition;) the country of the Philistines, which bordered on the Mediterranean sea, to the west; and Egypt, to the south; so that he had tributary to him the kingdoms of Syria, Damascus, Moab, and Ammon, which lay between the Euphrates and the Mediterranean sea. Stackhouse. See the note on Numb. xxxiv. 2. 22.-threescore measures of meal,] By meal is meant a coarser sort of flour for inferiour servants: the measure here spoken of contained about ten ephahs, each men. ephah being about equal to a bushel of our measure. It is computed that here was bread enough provided for 3000 persons. Bp. Patrick, Pyle. 24.-from Tiphsah even to Azzah,] It is very probably thought that Tiphsah is the same with Thapsacus, a considerable city lying on the Euphrates, and frequently mentioned by heathen writers: Azzah is the same as Gaza, the Philistine city often mentioned, lying in the south-west corner of the land of Israel. Dr. Wells. 25.-under his vine and under his fig tree,] These expressions are used, to shew the great plenty of corn, and wine, and oil, as well as of cattle and other things. Vines and fig trees are particularly mentioned, because they were planted in Judea more than any other trees, for the sweetness of their fruit and the benefit of their shade. Bp. Patrick. : 26.-forty thousand stalls of horses] In 2 Chron. ix. 25, the number is stated at four thousand which is supposed to relate to the stalls or stables only, while the number here relates to the horses contained in them. However, it is thought by some that the Hebrew word here used will admit of being translated four, as well as forty. In excuse for Solomon's having so great a number of war horses, (contrary to the law in Deut. xvii. 16,) it is alleged, that he kept them, not out of pride or vanity, but merely as a necessary guard to his kingdom against the incursions of the Philistines. Perhaps, however, though this account is given in the beginning of his reign, it refers to what took place towards the latter part of it; so that it may have been as great a fault in him to multiply horses, as to multiply wives and concubines; both being done at the same time of his life, and prohibited in the same law, Deut. xvii. 16, 17. Pyle. One reason of the law, given at Deut. xvii. 16, not to multiply horses was, as is there expressed, of a religious nature, because the multiplying of horses could not be effected without sending into Egypt, with which the Lord had forbidden any communication, as being of all foreign commerce the most dangerous to true religion. When Solomon had violated this law, and multiplied horses to the excess here described, it was soon attended with those fatal consequences which the law had foretold. Bp. Warburton. See the note on chap. x. 28. 28. straw for the horses] Probably not straw, with which to litter them; for in these countries it is not now used for that purpose; but to be chopt and eaten together with the barley. They litter at present with dung dried in the sun. Harmer. and dromedaries] There are doubts about the meaning of the Hebrew word translated "dromedaries." Some take them for mules, as our margin gives the translation. Bochart thinks it certain that this word imports a kind of horse. Bp. Patrick. The Hebrew word seems to mean in general "working cattle," cattle which earn their living by their labour. Parkhurst. 29.-largeness of heart, even as the sand &c.] Meaning, that the instances of his wisdom were as numerous as the sand on the sea shore. Stackhouse. Otherwise, as one cannot count the number of the sands, so neither could one comprehend the depth and extent of his wisdom. Calmet. Yet all these riches and this wisdom became a snare and ruin to Solomon, as soon as he forgat God: so dangerous are riches and other favours when abused; and all men ought to receive them with fear. Bp. Wilson. 30.— all the children of the east country,] There were three nations east of Canaan, which were very famous for their wisdom and erudition; the Chaldeans beyond the Euphrates, the Persians beyond the Tigris, and the Arabians on the nearer side of the Euphrates, a little towards the south. Which of these nations was most celebrated for learning in Solomon's time is much doubted by commentators: the book of Job, however, sufficiently shews that the Arabians were famous for their learning in ancient times. Bp. Patrick. The original station allotted to man by his Creator was in the mild and fertile regions of the East. There the human race began its career of improvement; and from the remains of Solomon. 30 And Solomon's wisdom excelled the wisdom of all the children of the east country, and all the wisdom of Egypt. 31 For he was wiser than all men; than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, and Chalcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol: and his fame was in all nations round about. 32 And he spake three thousand proverbs: and his songs were a thousand and five. 33 And he spake of trees, from the cedar tree that is in Lebanon Before CHRIST 1014. of sciences, which were anciently cultivated, as well as of arts, which were anciently exercised in India, we may conclude it to be one of the first countries in which men made any considerable progress in that career. The wisdom of the East was early celebrated, and its productions were early in request among distant nations, Gen. xxxvii. 26. Dr. Robertson. and all the wisdom of Egypt.] It appears from Acts vii. 22, that Egypt was celebrated for wisdom in the time of Moses. This country has been called "the mother of the arts." There have been great disputes respecting the claims of the Egyptians and Chaldeans to the earliest advances in learning. Bp. Patrick, Stackhouse. 31.he was wiser-than Ethan] He was wiser than all his contemporaries; than Ethan, author of the 89th Psalm, than Heman, author of the 88th, and their brothers, Chalcol and Darda, sons of Mahol, or "the choir." Dr. Hales. 32. he spake three thousand proverbs:] Of these all that are remaining are preserved in the books of Proverbs and of Ecclesiastes. Stackhouse. He spake 3000 wise sentences, out of which are collected those which in the book of his proverbs are reserved to the use of posterity, as the sacred monuments of his Divine wisdom. Bp. Hall. his songs were a thousand and five.] In ancient times wise men were wont to convey their instructions in songs, to the end that they might be more easily remembered. None of these compositions of Solomon were thought to be divinely inspired but the Song of Songs, which has therefore been joined to the sacred books. Bp. Patrick. 33.—from the cedar tree-unto the hyssop] That is, all sorts of plants, from the greatest to the smallest. Instead of the hyssop, some think the herb mint to be understood; which suits better to be opposed to the cedar, as the hyssop is a plant with a stalk, and sometimes of great strength. Bp. Patrick. It seems clearthat the hyssop cannot be meant, for this plant does not spring out of the wall, as is here described. Script. illust. We see here that God raised Solomon to a very great pitch of glory, granting him riches and power, which distinguished him from the greatest princes, and withal such wisdom, and prudence, and knowledge, which made him very superiour to the wisest men that were then in the world. Thus God fulfilled the promises He made to David, to give him a son whose kingdom should be very glorious: and thus He rewarded the piety of Solomon, and the zeal he then shewed for his service. However, it must be remembered, that this great wisdom, and the riches and the graces Solomon had received, were profitable to him only whilst he used them as he Hiram sendeth Before CHRIST 1014. a 2 Chron. 2. 3. CHAP. IV, V. even unto the hyssop that springeth out of the wall: he spake also of beasts, and of fowl, and of creeping things, and of fishes. 34 And there came of all people to hear the wisdom of Solomon, from all kings of the earth, which had heard of his wisdom. CHAP. V. 1 Hiram, sending to congratulate Solomon, is certified of his purpose to build the temple, and desired to furnish him with timber thereto. 7 Hiram, blessing God for Solo mon, and requesting food for his family, furnisheth him with trees. 13 The number of Solomon's workmen and labourers. A 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 a Solomon sent to Hiram, saying, ND Hiram king of Tyre sent 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. ought; but as soon as he abused them, they became a snare and ruin to him. This shews how dangerous the possession of riches is, and how much we ought to fear abusing God's gifts and graces. Ostervald. Chap. V. ver. 1.- Hiram king of Tyre] This Hiram was probably the son of the other Hiram, who sent to David timber and artificers to build his palace, 2 Sam. v. 11: for, according to Josephus, the temple was built in the fourth year of Solomon's reign, and the time when David took Jerusalem, and built his palace, was thirty-three years before the beginning of Solomon's reign. Stackhouse. 3.- could not build an house-for the wars] This was one reason, but not the chief; for God commanded him to desist when he had it in design, 2 Sam. vii. Bp. Patrick. 6. that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon ;] The whole, or a great part, of Lebanon, was within the dominions of Solomon; so that he does not ask the trees of Hiram, but only the assistance of his servants in hewing and preparing them for use, which they better understood than his own servants. In the time of Moses there had been excellent workmen among the Hebrews, but, as Scripture acquaints us, these derived their skill immediately from God, and it does not appear that they had any successors. After the Hebrews were settled in Canaan, they seem to have applied themselves not at all to the arts, but entirely to agriculture and pasturage; so that, in Solomon's time, there were no professed artists who could undertake the work of the temple. The people of Tyre and Sidon were always famous for to congratulate him. Before CHRIST 1014. + say. 5 And, behold, 1 + purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake Hebay unto David my father, saying, Thy b 2 Sam. 7. son, whom I will set upon thy throne 1 Chron. 22. in thy room, he shall build an house 10. unto my name. 13. 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 + Heb. say. 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 + Heb. heard. 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 their skill. Homer calls them "excellent artists in several kinds of work." Bp. Patrick. The quantity of the cedar wood of Lebanon in Solomon's temple was so great, that the temple itself is called Lebanon at Zech. xi. 1; "Open thy doors, O Lebanon." Calmet. This noble tree, the cedar of Lebanon, has a general character of growth so peculiar to itself, that no other tree can be mistaken for it. The leaves much resemble those of a larch, but are somewhat longer and closer set, and perpetually green. Its sturdy arms grow in time so weighty, that they often bend the very stem and main shaft. Many wonderful properties are ascribed to the wood of this celebrated tree, such as resisting putrefaction, destroying noxious insects, remaining sound a thousand or two years, yielding an oil famous for preserving books and writings, &c. The wood is extremely hard, which caused the ancients to believe it incapable of decay. Very few cedars now remain on mount Lebanon. Rauwolf, in 1575, saw there only twenty-four sound trees, and two old decayed ones. Maundrell, in 1696, could reckon only sixteen large ones, but many small. He measured one of the largest, which he found to be twelve yards six inches in girt, yet sound. The few cedars still remaining on Lebanon are preserved with a religious strictness. On the day of the Transfiguration, the Patriarch of that country, repairs in procession to these trees, and celebrates a festival called the feast of cedars. Miller's Dictionary. 9. — I will convey them by sea in floats] They conveyed the pieces of timber from the high parts of the mountains to the river Adonis, or to the plain of Biblos; 10 So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire. 11 And Solomon gave Hiram + Heb. cors. twenty thousand + measures of wheat for food to his houshold, and twenty measures of pure oil thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year. 12 And the LORD C Solomon e Chap. 3. 12. wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together. + Heb. tribute of men. 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 a Chap. 4. 6. two months at home: and a Adoniram was over the levy. d 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 thence they conveyed them to the seaport, where they were placed on rafts to be carried by sea to the port of Joppa, which was the nearest port to Jerusalem. Calmet. By "floats" is probably meant, that the pieces of timber were bound together, and so drawn through the rivers and the sea. Bp. Patrick. 11.-twenty thousand measures of wheat &c.] It is stated at 2 Chron. ii. 10, that Solomon was to give "20,000 measures of beaten wheat, and 20,000 measures of barley, and 20,000 baths of wine, and 20,000 baths of oil." It is possible that some of the numbers may have been mistaken by transcribers: the quantity seems very great to be exported at one time; and we may, at all events, understand by the expression, "Solomon gave year by year," that he stipulated to send the whole sum, but sent it by portions, "year by year," during each of the seven years when the temple was building. Pyle. Or perhaps at 2 Chron. ii. is mentioned the provision made by Solomon for the workmen, which is distinct from the remuneration paid to Hiram for the grant of their services. Script. illust. 15.-fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains;] That is, hewers of stone; for Hiram's servants hewed the timber. These were not Israelites, but strangers from other nations, as may be collected from ch. ix. 21, 22. It may seem strange to some, that so vast a num The building of his temple. Before stones, and hewed stones, to lay the CHRIST foundation of the house. 1014. 18 And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they pre- Or, pared timber and stones to build the Ezek. 27. 9. house. 1 CHAP. VI. The building of Solomon's temple. 5 The chambers thereof. 11 God's promise unto it. 15 The cieling and adorning of it. 23 The cherubims. 31 The doors. 36 The court. 37 The time of building it. hundred and eightieth Giblites: as 1. 1012. AND it came to pass in the four a2 chron. 3. year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he + began to build + Heb. built. the house of the LORD. 2 And the house which king Solomon built for the LORD, the length thereof was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof twenty cubits, and the height thereof thirty cubits. 3 And the porch before the temple of the house, twenty cubits was the length thereof, according to the breadth of the house; and ten cubits was the breadth thereof before the house. 4 And for the house he made windows of narrow lights. 5 ¶ And against the wall house he built + chambers about, against the walls of the ber of men should be employed about the building of a place, comparatively speaking, so small as the temple. It should be remembered, however, that there were many other works which Solomon designed and finished, (ch. ix. 15,) for which we read of no other preparations than those now made. In the next verse, there are said to be 3300 overseers, but at 2 Chron. ii. 18, the number is stated at 3600. The additional 300 were probably superiour officers, who were to oversee the rest. Bp. Patrick. Chap. VI. ver. 1.—in the fourth year of Solomon's reign] It has been asked why Solomon did not begin the work immediately, at the commencement of his reign, according to the command of his father David? It is probable that he began his preparations immediately; and that the four first years were spent in procuring the timber and stones, and in the necessary previous labours which were mentioned in the last chapter. 2.- the house which king Solomon built] The house, or temple itself, properly so called, was but a small pile of building; its length and breadth being only twice as great as those of the tabernacle built by Moses; the former being sixty cubits long and twenty broad, whereas the latter was thirty cubits long and ten broad. Pyle. |