1 And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the Lord, and the king's house, and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do,

2 That the Lord appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon.

3 And the Lord said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put my name there for ever; and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually.

4 And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments:

5 Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever, as I promised to David thy father, saying, There shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel.

6 But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them:

7 Then will I cut off Israel out of the land which I have given them; and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight; and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people:

8 And at this house, which is high, every one that passeth by it shall be astonished, and shall hiss; and they shall say, Why hath the Lord done thus unto this land, and to this house?

9 And they shall answer, Because they forsook the Lord their God, who brought forth their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have taken hold upon other gods, and have worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath the Lord brought upon them all this evil.

10 And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, when Solomon had built the two houses, the house of the Lord, and the king's house,

11 (Now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees, and with gold, according to all his desire,) that then king Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.

12 And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him; and they pleased him not.

13 And he said, What cities are these which thou hast given me, my brother? And he called them the land of Cabul unto this day.

14 And Hiram sent to the king sixscore talents of gold.

15 And this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised; for to build the house of the Lord, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer.

16 For Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up, and taken Gezer, and burnt it with fire, and slain the Canaanites that dwelt in the city, and given it for a present unto his daughter, Solomon's wife.

17 And Solomon built Gezer, and Bethhoron the nether,

18 And Baalath, and Tadmor in the wilderness, in the land,

19 And all the cities of store that Solomon had, and cities for his chariots, and cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.

20 And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel,

21 Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day.

22 But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen: but they were men of war, and his servants, and his princes, and his captains, and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen.

23 These were the chief of the officers that were over Solomon's work, five hundred and fifty, which bare rule over the people that wrought in the work.

24 But Pharaoh's daughter came up out of the city of David unto her house which Solomon had built for her: then did he build Millo.

25 And three times in a year did Solomon offer burnt offerings and peace offerings upon the altar which he built unto the Lord, and he burnt incense upon the altar that was before the Lord. So he finished the house.

26 And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom.

27 And Hiram sent in the navy his servants, shipmen that had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon.

28 And they came to Ophir, and fetched from thence gold, four hundred and twenty talents, and brought it to king Solomon.

Commentary

Verse 1

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
God's answer to Solomon.
God warned Solomon, now he had newly built and dedicated the temple, that he and his people might not be high-minded, but fear. After all the services we can perform, we stand upon the same terms with the Lord as before. Nothing can purchase for us liberty to sin, nor would the true believer desire such a licence. He would rather be chastened of the Lord, than be allowed to go on with ease and prosperity in sin.
McArther Bible Commentary
See 2Ch 7:11-22.
Bible Cross References
1 Kings 7:1 1 Kings 7:2 1 Kings 8:66 1 Kings 9:10 1 Kings 9:19 2 Chronicles 7:11 2 Chronicles 8:6

Verse 2

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
God's answer to Solomon.
God warned Solomon, now he had newly built and dedicated the temple, that he and his people might not be high-minded, but fear. After all the services we can perform, we stand upon the same terms with the Lord as before. Nothing can purchase for us liberty to sin, nor would the true believer desire such a licence. He would rather be chastened of the Lord, than be allowed to go on with ease and prosperity in sin.
Bible Cross References
1 Kings 3:5 1 Kings 11:9 2 Chronicles 1:7

Verse 3

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
God's answer to Solomon.
God warned Solomon, now he had newly built and dedicated the temple, that he and his people might not be high-minded, but fear. After all the services we can perform, we stand upon the same terms with the Lord as before. Nothing can purchase for us liberty to sin, nor would the true believer desire such a licence. He would rather be chastened of the Lord, than be allowed to go on with ease and prosperity in sin.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
For ever - As long as the Mosaic dispensation lasts; whereas hitherto my worship has been successively in several places. Eyes - My watchful and gracious providence. Heart - My tender affection. Shall be there - Shall be towards this place and people.
McArther Bible Commentary
consecrated. The Lord made the temple holy by being present in the cloud (cf. 1Ki 8:10). As proof of the temple's consecration, the Lord told Solomon that He had put His name there (cf. 1Ki 3:2). forever. God was not saying He would dwell in that building forever, since in less than 400 years it was destroyed by the Babylonians (cf. 1Ki 9:7-9). He was saying that Jerusalem and the temple mount are to be His earthly throne as long as the earth remains, through the millennial kingdom (see Isa 2:1-4; Zec 14:16). Even during the eternal state, there will be the heavenly Jerusalem, where God will eternally dwell (see Rev 21:1-2). eyes … heart. These symbolized, respectively, the Lord's constant attention toward and deep affection for Israel. By implication, He promised them access to His presence and answers to their prayers.
Bible Cross References
Deuteronomy 11:12 1 Kings 8:29 2 Kings 20:5 2 Kings 21:7 2 Chronicles 6:40 2 Chronicles 33:7 Ezra 6:12 Psalm 10:17 Psalm 34:17

Verse 4

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
God's answer to Solomon.
God warned Solomon, now he had newly built and dedicated the temple, that he and his people might not be high-minded, but fear. After all the services we can perform, we stand upon the same terms with the Lord as before. Nothing can purchase for us liberty to sin, nor would the true believer desire such a licence. He would rather be chastened of the Lord, than be allowed to go on with ease and prosperity in sin.
McArther Bible Commentary
See 2Ch 7:17-22.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 20:5 1 Kings 3:3 1 Kings 3:6 1 Kings 3:14 1 Kings 6:12 1 Kings 11:4 1 Kings 11:6 1 Kings 15:5 2 Kings 20:3 Psalm 78:72 Psalm 101:2 Psalm 128:1

Verse 5

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
God's answer to Solomon.
God warned Solomon, now he had newly built and dedicated the temple, that he and his people might not be high-minded, but fear. After all the services we can perform, we stand upon the same terms with the Lord as before. Nothing can purchase for us liberty to sin, nor would the true believer desire such a licence. He would rather be chastened of the Lord, than be allowed to go on with ease and prosperity in sin.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Then - Upon that condition; for my promise to David was conditional.
Bible Cross References
2 Samuel 7:12 2 Samuel 7:16 1 Kings 2:4 1 Kings 6:12 1 Chronicles 22:10

Verse 6

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
God's answer to Solomon.
God warned Solomon, now he had newly built and dedicated the temple, that he and his people might not be high-minded, but fear. After all the services we can perform, we stand upon the same terms with the Lord as before. Nothing can purchase for us liberty to sin, nor would the true believer desire such a licence. He would rather be chastened of the Lord, than be allowed to go on with ease and prosperity in sin.
McArther Bible Commentary
if you … turn. If Israel ("you" is plural) abandoned the Lord to worship other gods, God would expel Israel from the land and destroy the temple (1Ki 9:7).
Bible Cross References
1 Samuel 15:11 2 Samuel 7:14 1 Kings 11:10 2 Kings 18:12 1 Chronicles 28:9 Psalm 89:30 Jeremiah 26:4

Verse 7

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
God's answer to Solomon.
God warned Solomon, now he had newly built and dedicated the temple, that he and his people might not be high-minded, but fear. After all the services we can perform, we stand upon the same terms with the Lord as before. Nothing can purchase for us liberty to sin, nor would the true believer desire such a licence. He would rather be chastened of the Lord, than be allowed to go on with ease and prosperity in sin.
Bible Cross References
Matthew 23:38 Leviticus 18:24 Deuteronomy 4:26 Deuteronomy 28:37 1 Samuel 15:11 1 Kings 11:10 2 Kings 17:23 Psalm 44:14 Psalm 69:11 Jeremiah 7:4 Jeremiah 7:14 Jeremiah 24:9 Jeremiah 25:9 Jeremiah 44:8

Verse 8

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
God's answer to Solomon.
God warned Solomon, now he had newly built and dedicated the temple, that he and his people might not be high-minded, but fear. After all the services we can perform, we stand upon the same terms with the Lord as before. Nothing can purchase for us liberty to sin, nor would the true believer desire such a licence. He would rather be chastened of the Lord, than be allowed to go on with ease and prosperity in sin.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
High - Glorious and renowned. Astonished - At its unexpected and wonderful ruin. Hiss - By way of contempt and derision.
Bible Cross References
Deuteronomy 28:37 Deuteronomy 29:24 2 Kings 25:9 2 Chronicles 7:21 2 Chronicles 36:19 Jeremiah 5:19 Jeremiah 16:10 Jeremiah 18:16 Jeremiah 19:8 Jeremiah 22:8 Jeremiah 22:9 Jeremiah 25:9 Jeremiah 44:8 Jeremiah 49:17 Jeremiah 52:13

Verse 9

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
God's answer to Solomon.
God warned Solomon, now he had newly built and dedicated the temple, that he and his people might not be high-minded, but fear. After all the services we can perform, we stand upon the same terms with the Lord as before. Nothing can purchase for us liberty to sin, nor would the true believer desire such a licence. He would rather be chastened of the Lord, than be allowed to go on with ease and prosperity in sin.
McArther Bible Commentary
this calamity. The destruction of Jerusalem and exile from the land (1Ki 9:8) were predicted by Moses in Deu 29:24-28. The devastation of the temple, which came in 586 B.C., graphically demonstrated the Lord's anger against Israel's sin, particularly the sin of idolatry.
Bible Cross References
Deuteronomy 29:25 1 Kings 18:18 Jeremiah 2:10 Jeremiah 5:19 Jeremiah 16:11 Jeremiah 22:8 Jeremiah 44:23

Verse 10

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The presents of Solomon and Hiram.
Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities. Hiram did not like them. If Solomon would gratify him, let it be in his own element, by becoming his partner in trade, as he did. See how the providence of God suits this earth to the various tempers of men, and the dispositions of men to the earth, and all for the good of mankind in general.
McArther Bible Commentary
See 2Ch 8:1-18.
Bible Cross References
1 Kings 3:1 1 Kings 6:37 1 Kings 6:38 1 Kings 7:1 1 Kings 9:1 1 Kings 9:11 2 Chronicles 8:1

Verse 11

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The presents of Solomon and Hiram.
Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities. Hiram did not like them. If Solomon would gratify him, let it be in his own element, by becoming his partner in trade, as he did. See how the providence of God suits this earth to the various tempers of men, and the dispositions of men to the earth, and all for the good of mankind in general.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Galilee - Or, near the land of Galilee, bordering upon it; in those parts which were near, and adjoining to Hiram's dominions: with the cities, understand the territories belonging to them. These cities, though they were within those large bounds which God fixed to the land of promise, (Genesis 15:18) ; (Joshua 1:4) , yet were not within those parts which were distributed by lot in Joshua's time. It is probable they were not inhabited by Israelites, but by Canaanites, or other Heathens; who being subdued, and extirpated by David or Solomon, those cities became a part of their dominions; and afterwards were reckoned a part of Galilee, as Josephus notes.
McArther Bible Commentary
Solomon then gave Hiram twenty cities. Solomon sold these twenty cities in Galilee to Hiram in exchange for the gold (about 4.5 tons) mentioned in verse 1Ki 9:14. Probably these cities lay along the border between Tyre and Israel, just outside the territory of Asher. Later, Hiram gave the towns back to Solomon. See note on 2Ch 8:2.
Bible Cross References
1 Kings 9:10 1 Kings 9:12 1 Kings 9:14 Amos 1:9

Verse 12

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The presents of Solomon and Hiram.
Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities. Hiram did not like them. If Solomon would gratify him, let it be in his own element, by becoming his partner in trade, as he did. See how the providence of God suits this earth to the various tempers of men, and the dispositions of men to the earth, and all for the good of mankind in general.
Bible Cross References
1 Kings 9:11 1 Kings 9:13

Verse 13

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The presents of Solomon and Hiram.
Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities. Hiram did not like them. If Solomon would gratify him, let it be in his own element, by becoming his partner in trade, as he did. See how the providence of God suits this earth to the various tempers of men, and the dispositions of men to the earth, and all for the good of mankind in general.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Cabul - That is, of dirt, as most interpret it. Because, though the land was very good, yet being a thick and stiff clay, and therefore requiring great pains to manure it, it was very unsuitable to the disposition of the Tyrians, who were delicate, and lazy, and luxurious, and wholly given to merchandise. And on his returning them, there is no doubt but Solomon gave him an equivalent more to his taste.
McArther Bible Commentary
to this day. See note on 1Ki 8:8.
Bible Cross References
Joshua 19:27 1 Kings 9:12

Verse 14

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
The presents of Solomon and Hiram.
Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities. Hiram did not like them. If Solomon would gratify him, let it be in his own element, by becoming his partner in trade, as he did. See how the providence of God suits this earth to the various tempers of men, and the dispositions of men to the earth, and all for the good of mankind in general.
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Sent - And this seems to be here added, both to declare the quantity of the gold sent, which had been only named before, (1 Kings 9:11) , and as the reason why he resented Solomon's action, because so great a sum required a better recompense.
Bible Cross References
1 Kings 9:11 Jonah 4:11

Verse 15

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Solomon's buildings, His trade.
Here is a further account of Solomon's greatness. He began at the right end, for he built God's house first, and finished that before he began his own; then God blessed him, and he prospered in all his other buildings. Let piety begin, and profit follow; leave pleasure to the last. Whatever pains we take for the glory of God, and to profit others, we are likely to have the advantage. Canaan, the holy land, the glory of all lands, had no gold in it; which shows that the best produce is that which is for the present support of life, our own and others; such things did Canaan produce. Solomon got much by his merchandise, and yet has directed us to a better trade, within reach of the poorest. Wisdom is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold, (Proverbs 3:14).
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Raised - Both the levy of men; of which, (1 Kings 5:13) , and the levy of money upon his people and subjects. He raised this levy, both to pay what he owed to Hiram, and to build the works following.
McArther Bible Commentary
the Millo. A landfill in the depression between the city of David and the temple and palace complex to the north (see 2Sa 5:9). Hazor. Ten miles north of the Sea of Galilee, Hazor protected Israel's northeastern entrance from Syria and Mesopotamia. Megiddo. Megiddo guarded a crucial pass in the Carmel mountains, which linked the valley of Jezreel and the international coastal highway to Egypt. Gezer. Twenty miles west of Jerusalem, Gezer lay in the coastal plain at the intersection of the coastal highway and the main road to Jerusalem.
Bible Cross References
Joshua 11:1 Joshua 17:11 Joshua 19:36 Judges 1:29 2 Samuel 5:9 1 Kings 3:1 1 Kings 5:13 1 Kings 9:24 1 Kings 11:27 1 Kings 12:4

Verse 16

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Solomon's buildings, His trade.
Here is a further account of Solomon's greatness. He began at the right end, for he built God's house first, and finished that before he began his own; then God blessed him, and he prospered in all his other buildings. Let piety begin, and profit follow; leave pleasure to the last. Whatever pains we take for the glory of God, and to profit others, we are likely to have the advantage. Canaan, the holy land, the glory of all lands, had no gold in it; which shows that the best produce is that which is for the present support of life, our own and others; such things did Canaan produce. Solomon got much by his merchandise, and yet has directed us to a better trade, within reach of the poorest. Wisdom is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold, (Proverbs 3:14).
Bible Cross References
Joshua 10:33 Joshua 16:10 1 Kings 3:1 1 Kings 7:8

Verse 17

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Solomon's buildings, His trade.
Here is a further account of Solomon's greatness. He began at the right end, for he built God's house first, and finished that before he began his own; then God blessed him, and he prospered in all his other buildings. Let piety begin, and profit follow; leave pleasure to the last. Whatever pains we take for the glory of God, and to profit others, we are likely to have the advantage. Canaan, the holy land, the glory of all lands, had no gold in it; which shows that the best produce is that which is for the present support of life, our own and others; such things did Canaan produce. Solomon got much by his merchandise, and yet has directed us to a better trade, within reach of the poorest. Wisdom is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold, (Proverbs 3:14).
McArther Bible Commentary
Lower Beth Horon. About twelve miles northwest of Jerusalem along a road connecting Gibeon with the western lowlands and providing a western approach to Jerusalem. See note on 2Ch 8:5.
Bible Cross References
Joshua 10:10 Joshua 16:3 Joshua 21:22 2 Chronicles 8:5

Verse 18

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Solomon's buildings, His trade.
Here is a further account of Solomon's greatness. He began at the right end, for he built God's house first, and finished that before he began his own; then God blessed him, and he prospered in all his other buildings. Let piety begin, and profit follow; leave pleasure to the last. Whatever pains we take for the glory of God, and to profit others, we are likely to have the advantage. Canaan, the holy land, the glory of all lands, had no gold in it; which shows that the best produce is that which is for the present support of life, our own and others; such things did Canaan produce. Solomon got much by his merchandise, and yet has directed us to a better trade, within reach of the poorest. Wisdom is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold, (Proverbs 3:14).
McArther Bible Commentary
Baalath. The designation of several cities in Canaan. See note on 2Ch 8:6. Tadmor. Probably the same as Tamar, sixteen miles southwest of the Dead Sea on the southeastern boundary of the land (cf. Eze 47:19; Eze 48:28). Another Tadmor existed 150 miles northeast of Damascus, which is possibly the reference of 2Ch 8:4.
Bible Cross References
Joshua 19:44 1 Kings 9:19

Verse 19

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Solomon's buildings, His trade.
Here is a further account of Solomon's greatness. He began at the right end, for he built God's house first, and finished that before he began his own; then God blessed him, and he prospered in all his other buildings. Let piety begin, and profit follow; leave pleasure to the last. Whatever pains we take for the glory of God, and to profit others, we are likely to have the advantage. Canaan, the holy land, the glory of all lands, had no gold in it; which shows that the best produce is that which is for the present support of life, our own and others; such things did Canaan produce. Solomon got much by his merchandise, and yet has directed us to a better trade, within reach of the poorest. Wisdom is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold, (Proverbs 3:14).
McArther Bible Commentary
storage cities. Cities whose primary purpose was to store food (2Ch 17:12; 2Ch 32:28). cities for his chariots. Solomon built military outposts for his chariots and horses. To defend his kingdom, these garrisons were probably located along key roads throughout the nation. All the cities listed in verses 1Ki 9:15-19 met this requirement.
Bible Cross References
Exodus 1:11 1 Kings 4:26 1 Kings 9:1 1 Kings 9:20 1 Kings 10:26 2 Chronicles 1:14

Verse 20

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Solomon's buildings, His trade.
Here is a further account of Solomon's greatness. He began at the right end, for he built God's house first, and finished that before he began his own; then God blessed him, and he prospered in all his other buildings. Let piety begin, and profit follow; leave pleasure to the last. Whatever pains we take for the glory of God, and to profit others, we are likely to have the advantage. Canaan, the holy land, the glory of all lands, had no gold in it; which shows that the best produce is that which is for the present support of life, our own and others; such things did Canaan produce. Solomon got much by his merchandise, and yet has directed us to a better trade, within reach of the poorest. Wisdom is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold, (Proverbs 3:14).
McArther Bible Commentary
See note on 2Ch 8:7-10.
Bible Cross References
Joshua 11:3 1 Kings 5:15 1 Kings 9:19 1 Kings 9:21 1 Chronicles 22:2 2 Chronicles 8:7

Verse 21

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Solomon's buildings, His trade.
Here is a further account of Solomon's greatness. He began at the right end, for he built God's house first, and finished that before he began his own; then God blessed him, and he prospered in all his other buildings. Let piety begin, and profit follow; leave pleasure to the last. Whatever pains we take for the glory of God, and to profit others, we are likely to have the advantage. Canaan, the holy land, the glory of all lands, had no gold in it; which shows that the best produce is that which is for the present support of life, our own and others; such things did Canaan produce. Solomon got much by his merchandise, and yet has directed us to a better trade, within reach of the poorest. Wisdom is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold, (Proverbs 3:14).
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Those - He used them as bondmen, and imposed bodily labours upon them. But why did not Solomon destroy them as God had commanded, when now it was fully in his power to do so? The command of destroying them, (Deuteronomy 7:2) , did chiefly, if not only, concern that generation of Canaanites, who lived in, or, near the time of the Israelites entering into Canaan. And that command seems not to be absolute, but conditional, and with some exception for those who should submit and embrace the true religion, as may be gathered both from (Joshua 11:19) , and from the history of the Gibeonites. For if God's command had been absolute, the oaths of Joshua, and of the princes, could not have obliged them, nor dispensed with such a command.
McArther Bible Commentary
forced labor. I.e., "conscripted slave labor." See note on 1Ki 5:13. Only resident aliens permanently became part of this force, since the law did not allow Israelites to make fellow Israelites slaves against their will (Exo 21:2-11; Lev 25:44-46; Deu 15:12-18). Additionally, verse 1Ki 9:22 adds that he did not move someone from an established post, even for a specific project.
Bible Cross References
Genesis 9:25 Genesis 9:26 Deuteronomy 20:11 Joshua 15:63 Joshua 17:12 Joshua 17:13 Judges 1:21 Judges 1:28 Judges 1:35 Judges 3:1 1 Kings 9:20 1 Chronicles 22:2 2 Chronicles 8:8 Ezra 2:55 Ezra 2:58 Proverbs 12:24

Verse 22

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Solomon's buildings, His trade.
Here is a further account of Solomon's greatness. He began at the right end, for he built God's house first, and finished that before he began his own; then God blessed him, and he prospered in all his other buildings. Let piety begin, and profit follow; leave pleasure to the last. Whatever pains we take for the glory of God, and to profit others, we are likely to have the advantage. Canaan, the holy land, the glory of all lands, had no gold in it; which shows that the best produce is that which is for the present support of life, our own and others; such things did Canaan produce. Solomon got much by his merchandise, and yet has directed us to a better trade, within reach of the poorest. Wisdom is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold, (Proverbs 3:14).
Bible Cross References
Leviticus 25:39 Jeremiah 34:14

Verse 23

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Solomon's buildings, His trade.
Here is a further account of Solomon's greatness. He began at the right end, for he built God's house first, and finished that before he began his own; then God blessed him, and he prospered in all his other buildings. Let piety begin, and profit follow; leave pleasure to the last. Whatever pains we take for the glory of God, and to profit others, we are likely to have the advantage. Canaan, the holy land, the glory of all lands, had no gold in it; which shows that the best produce is that which is for the present support of life, our own and others; such things did Canaan produce. Solomon got much by his merchandise, and yet has directed us to a better trade, within reach of the poorest. Wisdom is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold, (Proverbs 3:14).
McArther Bible Commentary
See note on 2Ch 2:2.
Bible Cross References
1 Kings 5:16 2 Chronicles 8:10

Verse 24

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Solomon's buildings, His trade.
Here is a further account of Solomon's greatness. He began at the right end, for he built God's house first, and finished that before he began his own; then God blessed him, and he prospered in all his other buildings. Let piety begin, and profit follow; leave pleasure to the last. Whatever pains we take for the glory of God, and to profit others, we are likely to have the advantage. Canaan, the holy land, the glory of all lands, had no gold in it; which shows that the best produce is that which is for the present support of life, our own and others; such things did Canaan produce. Solomon got much by his merchandise, and yet has directed us to a better trade, within reach of the poorest. Wisdom is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold, (Proverbs 3:14).
Bible Cross References
2 Samuel 5:7 2 Samuel 5:9 1 Kings 3:1 1 Kings 7:8 1 Kings 9:15 1 Kings 11:27 2 Chronicles 32:5

Verse 25

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Solomon's buildings, His trade.
Here is a further account of Solomon's greatness. He began at the right end, for he built God's house first, and finished that before he began his own; then God blessed him, and he prospered in all his other buildings. Let piety begin, and profit follow; leave pleasure to the last. Whatever pains we take for the glory of God, and to profit others, we are likely to have the advantage. Canaan, the holy land, the glory of all lands, had no gold in it; which shows that the best produce is that which is for the present support of life, our own and others; such things did Canaan produce. Solomon got much by his merchandise, and yet has directed us to a better trade, within reach of the poorest. Wisdom is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold, (Proverbs 3:14).
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Three times - That is, at the three solemn feasts: and undoubtedly at all other appointed times.
McArther Bible Commentary
Solomon offered. Once the temple had been built, Solomon's practice of sacrificing to God at the various high places ceased (cf. 1Ki 3:2-4). He kept Israel's three great annual feasts, Unleavened Bread, Pentecost, and Tabernacles (Deu 16:1-17), at the temple in Jerusalem.
Bible Cross References
Exodus 23:14 Deuteronomy 16:16

Verse 26

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Solomon's buildings, His trade.
Here is a further account of Solomon's greatness. He began at the right end, for he built God's house first, and finished that before he began his own; then God blessed him, and he prospered in all his other buildings. Let piety begin, and profit follow; leave pleasure to the last. Whatever pains we take for the glory of God, and to profit others, we are likely to have the advantage. Canaan, the holy land, the glory of all lands, had no gold in it; which shows that the best produce is that which is for the present support of life, our own and others; such things did Canaan produce. Solomon got much by his merchandise, and yet has directed us to a better trade, within reach of the poorest. Wisdom is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold, (Proverbs 3:14).
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Made - Not now, but in the beginning of his reign.
McArther Bible Commentary
Ezion Geber. Solomon's port located on the modern Gulf of Aqabah.
Bible Cross References
Numbers 33:35 Deuteronomy 2:8 1 Kings 10:22 1 Kings 22:48 2 Kings 14:22 2 Chronicles 8:17

Verse 27

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Solomon's buildings, His trade.
Here is a further account of Solomon's greatness. He began at the right end, for he built God's house first, and finished that before he began his own; then God blessed him, and he prospered in all his other buildings. Let piety begin, and profit follow; leave pleasure to the last. Whatever pains we take for the glory of God, and to profit others, we are likely to have the advantage. Canaan, the holy land, the glory of all lands, had no gold in it; which shows that the best produce is that which is for the present support of life, our own and others; such things did Canaan produce. Solomon got much by his merchandise, and yet has directed us to a better trade, within reach of the poorest. Wisdom is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold, (Proverbs 3:14).
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Knowledge of the sea - For which the Tyrians were famous. He sent also ships to join with Solomon's, not from Tyre, the city of Phoenicia; but from an island in the Red - sea, called Tyre, because it was a colony of the Tyrians, as Strabo notes.
Bible Cross References
1 Kings 5:6 1 Kings 5:9 1 Kings 9:26 1 Kings 10:11 Ezekiel 27:8

Verse 28

Matthew Henry's Concise Bible Commentary
Solomon's buildings, His trade.
Here is a further account of Solomon's greatness. He began at the right end, for he built God's house first, and finished that before he began his own; then God blessed him, and he prospered in all his other buildings. Let piety begin, and profit follow; leave pleasure to the last. Whatever pains we take for the glory of God, and to profit others, we are likely to have the advantage. Canaan, the holy land, the glory of all lands, had no gold in it; which shows that the best produce is that which is for the present support of life, our own and others; such things did Canaan produce. Solomon got much by his merchandise, and yet has directed us to a better trade, within reach of the poorest. Wisdom is better than the merchandise of silver, and the gain thereof than fine gold, (Proverbs 3:14).
John Wesley's Bible Commentary
Ophir - A place famous for the plenty and fineness of the gold there. It is agreed, that it was a part of the East - Indies, probably Ceylon, which though very remote from us, yet was far nearer the Red - sea, from whence they might easily sail to it in those ancient times, because they might (according to the manner of those first ages) sail all along near the coast, though the voyage was thereby more tedious, which was the reason why three years were spent in it. And here, and here only were to be had all the commodities which Solomon fetched from Ophir, (1 Kings 10:22) . Fetched - In all there came to the king four hundred and fifty talents, whereof it seems thirty talents were allowed to Hiram and his men, and so there were only four hundred and twenty that came clear into the king's treasury.
McArther Bible Commentary
Ophir. The location of Ophir is unknown. It has been suggested it was located on the southwestern Arabian peninsula. First Kings 1Ki 10:11-12 possibly suggests that Ophir was close to or a part of the kingdom of Sheba. four hundred and twenty talents. This was about sixteen tons of gold. Second Chronicles 2Ch 8:18 has 450 talents (see note on 2Ch 8:18).
Bible Cross References
1 Kings 10:11 1 Kings 22:48 1 Chronicles 29:4 2 Chronicles 8:18 Psalm 45:9 Ecclesiastes 2:8 Isaiah 13:12