II Chronicles 2
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Commentaries
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A house for the name of the Lord - A temple for the worship of Jehovah. A house for his kingdom - A royal palace for his own use as king of Israel.
Open source ↗SOLOMON'S LABORERS FOR BUILDING THE TEMPLE. (Ch2 2:1-2) Solomon determined to build--The temple is the grand subject of this narrative, while the palace--here and in other parts of this book--is only incidentally noticed. The duty of building the temple was reserved for Solomon before his birth. As soon as he became king, he addressed himself to the work, and the historian, in proceeding to give an account of the edifice, begins with relating the preliminary arrangements.
Open source ↗And Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the Lord,.... For the worship and service of God, and for his honour and glory, being directed, enjoined, and encouraged to it by his father David: and an house for his kingdom; for a royal palace for him, and his successors, first the one, and then the other; and in this order they were built.
Open source ↗The Building of the Temple - 2 Chronicles 3-5:1 (Cf. 1 Kings 6; 7:13-51.) The description of the building begins with a statement of the place where and of the time when the temple was built (Ch2 3:1-2). Then follows an account of the proportions of the building, a description of the individual parts, commencing on the outside and advancing inwards. First we have the porch (Ch2 3:3, Ch2 3:4), then the house, i.e., the interior apartment or the holy place (Ch2 3:5-7), then the holiest of all, and cherubim therein (Ch2 3:8-13), and the veil of partition between the holy place and the most holy (Ch2 3:14). After that we have the furniture of the court, the pillars of the porch (Ch2 3:15-17), the brazen altar (Ch2 4:1), the brazen sea (Ch2 4:2-5), the ten lavers (Ch2 4:6), the furniture of the holy place, candlesticks and tables (Ch2 4:7, Ch2 4:8), and of the two courts (Ch2 4:9, Ch2 4:10), and finally a summary enumeration of the brazen and golden utensils of the temple (Ch2 4:11, Ch2 4:12). The description in 1 Kings 6 and 7 is differently arranged; the divine promise which Solomon received while the building was in progress, and a description of the building of the palace, being inserted: see on 1 Kings 6 and 7.
Open source ↗Solomon's wisdom was given him, not merely for speculation, to entertain himself (though it is indeed a princely entertainment), nor merely for conversation, to entertain his friends, but for action; and therefore to action he immediately applies himself. Observe, I. His resolution within himself concerning his business (Ch2 2:1): He determined to build, in the first place, a house for the name of the Lord. It is fit that he who is the first should be served - first a temple and then a palace, a house not so much for himself, or his own convenience and magnitude, as for the kingdom, for the honour of it among its neighbours and for the decent reception of the people whenever they had occasion to apply to their prince; so that in both he aimed at the public good. Those are the wisest men that lay out themselves most for the honour of the name of the Lord and the welfare of communities. We are not born for ourselves, but for God and our country. II. His embassy to Huram, king of Tyre, to engage his assistance in the prosecution of his designs. The purport of his errand to him is much the same here as we had it Kg1 5:2, etc., only here it is more largely set forth. 1. The reasons why he makes this application to Huram are here more fully represented, for information to Huram as well as for inducement. (1.) He pleads his father's interest in Huram, and the kindness he had received from him (Ch2 2:3): As thou didst deal with David, so deal with me. As we must show kindness to, so we may expect kindness from, our fathers' friends, and with them should cultivate a correspondence. (2.) He represents his design in building the temple: he intended it for a place of religious worship (Ch2 2:4), that all the offerings which God had appointed for the honour of his name might be offe…
Open source ↗2:1 The Temple is immediately introduced as the first priority among Solomon’s building projects, although the work actually began in the fourth year of his reign (3:2). Solomon used the intervening years to negotiate with King Hiram (2:3) for materials and skilled workers.
Open source ↗Original language
The Hebrew and Greek words behind this passage, with Strong's numbers — from openscriptures (CC BY-SA).
שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God מַלְכוּת (malkûwth, H4438) — a rule; concretely, a dominion
Open source ↗שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor סָפַר (çâphar, H5608) — properly, to score with a mark as a tally or record, i.e. (by implication) to inscribe,… שִׁבְעִים (shibʻîym, H7657) — seventy אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… סַבָּל (çabbâl, H5449) — a porter שְׁמֹנִים (shᵉmônîym, H8084) — eighty, also eightieth חָצַב (châtsab, H2672) — to cut or carve (wood, stone or other material); by implication, to hew, split, square,… הַר (har, H2022) — a mountain or range of hills (sometimes used figuratively) שָׁלוֹשׁ (shâlôwsh, H7969) — three; occasionally (ordinal) third, or (multiple) thrice שֵׁשׁ (shêsh, H8337) — six (as an overplus beyond five or the fingers of the hand); as ord. sixth מֵאָה (mêʼâh, H3967) — a hundred; also as a multiplicative and a fraction נָצַח (nâtsach, H5329) — properly, to glitter from afar, i.e. to be eminent (as a superintendent, especially of…
Open source ↗שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) חוּרָם (Chûwrâm, H2361) — Churam, the name of an Israelite and two Syrians מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king צֹר (Tsôr, H6865) — Tsor, a place in Palestine אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application אֶרֶז (ʼerez, H730) — a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots) בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) יָשַׁב (yâshab, H3427) — properly, to sit down (specifically as judge. in ambush, in quiet); by implication, to…
Open source ↗בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) שֵׁם (shêm, H8034) — an appellation, as amark or memorial of individuality; by implication honor, authority,… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… קָדַשׁ (qâdash, H6942) — to be (causatively, make, pronounce or observe as) clean (ceremonially or morally) קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and… סַם (çam, H5561) — an aroma קְטֹרֶת (qᵉṭôreth, H7004) — a fumigation תָּמִיד (tâmîyd, H8548) — properly, continuance (as indefinite extension); but used only (attributively as… מַעֲרֶכֶת (maʻăreketh, H4635) — an arrangement, i.e. (concretely) a pile (of loaves) עֹלָה (ʻôlâh, H5930) — a step or (collectively, stairs, as ascending); usually a holocaust (as going up in smoke) בֹּקֶר (bôqer, H1242) — properly, dawn (as the break of day); generally, morning
Open source ↗בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with…
Open source ↗עָצָר (ʻâtsâr, H6113) — to inclose; by analogy, to hold back; also to maintain, rule, assemble כֹּחַ (kôach, H3581) — vigor, literally (force, in a good or a bad sense) or figuratively (capacity, means,… בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… כּוּל (kûwl, H3557) — properly, to keep in; hence, to measure; figuratively, to maintain (in various senses) אִם (ʼim, H518) — used very widely as demonstrative, lo!; interrogative, whether?; or conditional, if,… קָטַר (qâṭar, H6999) — to smoke, i.e. turn into fragrance by fire (especially as an act of worship) פָּנִים (pânîym, H6440) — the face (as the part that turns); used in a great variety of applications (literally and…
Open source ↗שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money נְחֹשֶׁת (nᵉchôsheth, H5178) — copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as… בַּרְזֶל (barzel, H1270) — iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement אַרְגְּוָן (ʼargᵉvân, H710) — purple כַּרְמִיל (karmîyl, H3758) — carmine, a deep red תְּכֵלֶת (tᵉkêleth, H8504) — the cerulean mussel, i.e. the color (violet) obtained therefrom or stuff dyed therewith יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… פָּתַח (pâthach, H6605) — to open wide (literally or figuratively); specifically, to loosen, begin, plough, carve פִּתּוּחַ (pittûwach, H6603) — sculpture (in low or high relief or even intaglio)
Open source ↗שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) אֶרֶז (ʼerez, H730) — a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots) עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) בְּרוֹשׁ (bᵉrôwsh, H1265) — a cypress (?) tree; hence, a lance or a musical instrument (as made of that wood) אַלְגּוּמִּים (ʼalgûwmmîym, H418) — sticks of algum wood לְבָנוֹן (Lᵉbânôwn, H3844) — Lebanon, a mountain range in Palestine יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to…
Open source ↗כּוּן (kûwn, H3559) — properly, to be erect (i.e. stand perpendicular); hence (causatively) to set up, in a… עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) רֹב (rôb, H7230) — abundance (in any respect) בַּיִת (bayith, H1004) — a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.) בָּנָה (bânâh, H1129) — to build (literally and figuratively) פָּלָא (pâlâʼ, H6381) — properly, perhaps to separate, i.e. distinguish (literally or figuratively); by… גָּדוֹל (gâdôwl, H1419) — great (in any sense); hence, older; also insolent
Open source ↗נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) עֶבֶד (ʻebed, H5650) — a servant חָטַב (châṭab, H2404) — to chop or carve wood כָּרַת (kârath, H3772) — to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to… עֵץ (ʻêts, H6086) — a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks) עֶשְׂרִים (ʻesrîym, H6242) — twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth אֶלֶף (ʼeleph, H505) — hence (the ox's head being the first letter of the alphabet, and this eventually used as… כֹּר (kôr, H3734) — properly, a deep round vessel, i.e. (specifically) a cor or measure for things dry מַכָּה (makkâh, H4347) — a wound; figuratively, carnage, also pestilence חִטָּה (chiṭṭâh, H2406) — wheat, whether the grain or the plant שְׂעֹרָה (sᵉʻôrâh, H8184) — barley (as villose) בַּת (bath, H1324) — a bath or Hebrew measure (as a means of division) of liquids יַיִן (yayin, H3196) — wine (as fermented); by implication, intoxication שֶׁמֶן (shemen, H8081) — grease, especially liquid (as from the olive, often perfumed); figuratively, richness
Open source ↗חוּרָם (Chûwrâm, H2361) — Churam, the name of an Israelite and two Syrians מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king צֹר (Tsôr, H6865) — Tsor, a place in Palestine אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) כָּתָב (kâthâb, H3791) — something written, i.e. a writing, record or book שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) שְׁלֹמֹה (Shᵉlômôh, H8010) — Shelomah, David's successor יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אַהֲבָה (ʼahăbâh, H160) — {affection (in a good or a bad sense)} עַם (ʻam, H5971) — a people (as a congregated unit); specifically, a tribe (as those of Israel); hence… נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)
Open source ↗חוּרָם (Chûwrâm, H2361) — Churam, the name of an Israelite and two Syrians אָמַר (ʼâmar, H559) — to say (used with great latitude) בָרַךְ (bârak, H1288) — to kneel; by implication to bless God (as an act of adoration), and (vice-versa) man (as… יְהֹוָה (Yᵉhôvâh, H3068) — Jehovah, Jewish national name of God אֱלֹהִים (ʼĕlôhîym, H430) — gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with… יִשְׂרָאֵל (Yisrâʼêl, H3478) — Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application שָׁמַיִם (shâmayim, H8064) — the sky (as aloft; the dual perhaps alluding to the visible arch in which the clouds… אֶרֶץ (ʼerets, H776) — the earth (at large, or partitively a land) נָתַן (nâthan, H5414) — to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.) דָּוִד (Dâvid, H1732) — David, the youngest son of Jesse מֶלֶךְ (melek, H4428) — a king חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative…
Open source ↗שָׁלַח (shâlach, H7971) — to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications) חָכָם (châkâm, H2450) — wise, (i.e. intelligent, skilful or artful) אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… בִּינָה (bîynâh, H998) — understanding חוּרָם (Chûwrâm, H2361) — Churam, the name of an Israelite and two Syrians אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application
Open source ↗בֵּן (bên, H1121) — a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative… אִשָּׁה (ʼishshâh, H802) — a woman בַּת (bath, H1323) — a daughter (used in the same wide sense as other terms of relationship, literally and… דָּן (Dân, H1835) — Dan, one of the sons of Jacob; also the tribe descended from him, and its territory;… אָב (ʼâb, H1) — father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application אִישׁ (ʼîysh, H376) — a man as an individual or a male person; often used as an adjunct to a more definite term… צֹרִי (Tsôrîy, H6876) — a Tsorite or inhabitant of Tsor (i.e. Syrian) יָדַע (yâdaʻ, H3045) — to know (properly, to ascertain by seeing); used in a great variety of senses,… עָשָׂה (ʻâsâh, H6213) — to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application זָהָב (zâhâb, H2091) — gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e. yellow), as oil, a clear sky כֶּסֶף (keçeph, H3701) — silver (from its pale color); by implication, money נְחֹשֶׁת (nᵉchôsheth, H5178) — copper, hence, something made of that metal, i.e. coin, a fetter; figuratively, base (as… בַּרְזֶל (barzel, H1270) — iron (as cutting); by extension, an iron implement אֶבֶן (ʼeben, H68) — a stone
Open source ↗Cross-references
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So behold, I plan to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God, according to what the LORD said to my father David: ‘I will put your son on your throne in your place, and he will build the house for My Name.’
He is the one who will build a house for My Name. He will be My son, and I will be his Father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever.’
then the LORD your God will choose a dwelling for His Name. And there you are to bring everything I command you: your burnt offerings and sacrifices, your tithes and special gifts, and all the choice offerings you vow to the LORD.
If you are not careful to observe all the words of this law which are written in this book, that you may fear this glorious and awesome name—the LORD your God—
Instead, you must seek the place the LORD your God will choose from among all your tribes to establish as a dwelling for His Name, and there you must go.
But the LORD said to my father David, ‘Since it was in your heart to build a house for My Name, you have done well to have this in your heart.
Now when Solomon had finished building the house of the LORD and the royal palace, and had achieved all that he had desired to do,
Now the LORD has fulfilled the word that He spoke. I have succeeded my father David, and I sit on the throne of Israel, as the LORD promised. I have built the house for the Name of the LORD, the God of Israel.
Solomon, however, took thirteen years to complete the construction of his entire palace.