Commentary on the Old Testament Volume 2-4, Biblical commentary 1 · 1 Kings · Chapter 5
CHAP. V.
ANd Hiram the King of Tyrus sent his servants to Solomon, for he had heard …hat V. 1. 2 Chron. 2. 3.they anointed him King over Isra… &c.] 2 Chron. 2. 3. this being omitted; it is said that Solomon sent to Hiram to desire Cedars of him for the building of the house of God, but it is to be understood, that Solomons sending to him was the same with that here commemorated, v. 2. after that Hiram had sent unto him to congratulate his inauguration to the kingdome. Iosephus saith that Solomon sene unto Hiram by P. Martyr.the same messengers. Touching this King, there was both Tirus and Zidon, two rich cities; over both which he reigned saith Martyr, they stood near unto the land of Israel, and upon the Sea coast, whereby their riches were so greatly increased, their situation being rocky and barren. Hiram is said here to have been a freind unto David all his dayes, but Ps. 83. 8. the men of Tyre are numbred amongst the enemies of Israel. It seemeth therefore that this freindship between them beg…n after that, and that which is here said is then to be understood, after that they had contracted freindship, it continued as long as David lived. Or rather that Psalme was propheticall being compiled by Asaph, to shew the combinations of the enemies to come against Israel, and how they should therefore be destroyed, as they were in the dayes of Iehosaphat; 2 Chron. 20. thus Martyr: but because there is no mention of the men of Tyre there but of other nations, it is rather to be referred to some other time, when the Assyrians also came against Israel. It is most probable also saith Martyr, that this King Hiram had the knowledge of the true God, which he might attaine unto by his familiarity with David, and accordingly he speaketh most piously in his answer to David, v. 7. Touching the time of Hirams sending to David, it is to be understood, that he being a neare neighbour deferred not long this his sending, but did it at the beginning of Solomons reigne, onelyonly it is here commemorated occasionally, the intercourse between these two Kings being set forth, and therefore Junius rendreth it, Miserat Hiram, Hiram had sent. The reasons why Solomon sought to him for Cedars rather then to any other King, are manifest; … 1. The great freindship between them, and between Hiram and his father … 2. This embassage sent by Hiram unto him. 3. The skilfulnesse of the Ty… working curious works beyond those of other nations. And it is to held, that … disposed so of it, that the Tyrians, Gentiles, should be imployed about the work of this Temple, to prefigure the vocation of the Gentiles, and their future helping to build up the spirituall temple. In which allegory Pellican goeth further, noting that the Sidonians and Proselites amongst the Iewes being the workmen, but the rulers of the work Israelites, did figuratively shew that the spirituall temple should be built by Disciples amongst the Gentiles, Pellican.but the Apostles who were Israelites, should be the cheife workmen and governours therein. And Hirams voluntary sending to Solomon to seek his freindship, foreshewed the ready comming of the Gentiles to the knowledge and religion of the true God. And there is good ground for this allegory, seeing that the faithfull are called the temple of God, 1 Cor. 6. Eph. 2. 20. And Christ speaketh of his body, as of a Temple; …ying, destroy this Temple, he was therefore saith Beda figured out by Solomons Temple also; for he was the Temple of God, because the Beda.Godhead dwelt in him bodily; we, because the spirit of God dwelleth in us.
And Solomon sent to Hiram saying, thou knowest that David my Father could V. 3.not build an house to the name of the Lord his God, for the warres, &c.] VntoUnto v. 6. 2 Chr. 2. 3.which being omitted, 2 Chron. 2. 3. he saith onelyonly in his message unto him; As thou didst by David my father, and sentest unto him Cedar wood to build him an house to dwell in; so doe to me, that I may build an house to the name of the Lord my God, and consecrate it to burn incense before him, &c. The house that I mean to build is great, for great is our God above all Gods, therefore who is able to build him an house, if the heaven, and heaven of heavens cannot contain him; &c.] unto v. 10. The sending of Solomon to Hiram was by letters, as it seemeth by the copy of a letter still extant amongst other ancient monuments, as Eupolemus hath it thus, King Solomon to Suron the King of Tyre and Sidon, and Phoenice greeting. Know thou that I have received the kingdome from David my father, by the benefit of the great God, who hath also commanded that I should build a Temple to God who hath made heaven and earth, and that I should also write to thee that thou shouldst send to me of thy people, who may be with me whilst the work of God is perfected, as he hath commanded me. I have written also to Galilee, Samaritis, Moabitis, and Ammonitis; to send in necessaries: &c. Thus, there the name Suron being put for Hiram. There is also a copy of Surons letters to Solomon, and of Solomons letters to Paphra King of Egypt, to the same effect; and of his answer to Solomon. In Solomons writing to Hiram, both the histories considered together, both that 1 King. 5. and 2 Chron. 2. he maketh no mention of Davids shedding of blood, which else where is spoken of, as an impediment to his building of an house unto God, but onelyonly that because he had continuall warres, he wanted time and leisure to doe it, and indeed God had otherwise disposed of it, that not he, but his sonne should build this house. But now he by Gods blessing injoying peace, entended to build: for he ascribeth not this peace to Davids subduing of all his enemies, but unto God by whose power it so came to passe. Hereby was shewed that the spirituall Temple is not built in dissention and bloodshed, but in peace, neither are bloody persons fit instruments for this work, but the peaceable and meek. Wherefore Satan laboureth what he can to hinder this building, by stirring up discord in the Church of God, and he that is a true freind unto it, should labour what he can to beat it down, and to make peace. The trees, which Solomon desired of Hiram to V. 6. 2 Chron 2. 8.build the Temple withall were Cedars, and 2 Chron. 2. 8. Firre-trees, and Almuggum trees. P. Martyr for firre-trees, saith, that some have the pine and the cypresse P. Martyr.tree, and some the ash, as Forsterus. But he following Vitruvius, will neither have firre meant, because that is a light kinde of wood and apt to take fire, and breeds worms and moths, neither is it durable; nor pines nor cypresses, because they are weak and bowing, and therefore are unapt to bear any burthen, yet they may be cut into boards, and serve to cover the inward parts of an house; but because Solomon covered this house with cedar boards, it is not to be thought that these trees 1 King. 6. 9, 10.were used for this purpose, and ash is not profitable for building. Wherefore he subscribeth to them, that understand hereby a…cedar, which is much like unto juniper. But whereas he excepteth against …nd cypresses, in this respect, that they will not bear any weight; and for se…g within there was no use of them, because that was done with cedar, 1 King. 6. 10. it is to be understood, that 2 Chron. 3. 5. it is said, that the house was covered within with boards of f…re carved, and therefore the seiling of cedar spoken of 1 King. 6. 10. was of the chambers above the great house. For the Almuggum trees also spoken of 2 Chron. 2. 8. they are by Iunius rendred Thyine trees, both here, and 1 King, 10. 11. it is Junius.a wood, that is unknown unto us, but most pretious.
The message of Solomon to Hiram here laid down briefly, that he would send his servants to be with Solomons to cut him down Cedars in Lybanus, because none of the Israelites could cut them like the Zidonians, is more large 2 Chron. 2, 3, 4. Or. 2 Chron. 2. 3.As thou didst unto David my father, sending him Cedars to build him an house, so … V. 4.by me, that I may build an house unto the name of the Lord my …od and consecrate it to burn incense before him, and for shew bread, & for burnt offerings morning & evening, &c. unto v. 10. where he promiseth to prepare for the Sidonians for their labour, bread, corn, wine and oyl abundantly, for Lybanus, the forrest where these Cedars V. 10.grew, was within the land of Israel, so that he needed not to give any satisfaction for the timber.
Hiram first desireth food for his men, and then it is said, that Solomon granted V. 9, 10, 11.unto him to give 20000. measures of wheat, and 20000. measures of beaten oyl, but 2 Chron. 2. 10. there is supplied more in Solomons voluntary offer 20000. of barly, and 20000. of wine: these measures are set forth by the name of Co…i i… Hebrew, of the quantity of which see before ch. 4. 22.
And King Solomon took a tribute out of all Israel of 30000. men.] These were V. 13.employed, 10000. a monethmonth in cutting down timber, together with the Sidonians in Lebanon, and preparing it; as for other workmen, that wrought in stone and in carrying burthens, the number of them was farre greater, viz. 70000. bearers of burthens and 80000. stone-cutters, and rulers in these works 3300. all which were not Israelites, but preselytes, that is strangers dwelling amongst them, 2 Chron. 2. 17. the rulers are said to be 3600. This is by Iunius reconciled thus, there were 300. to whom the 3000. gave accounts, who are numbred here, 2 Chron. 2. 17. Junius.but 2 Chron. 2. 3000 more, who supplied their places in their absence. P. Ma… tyr saith, that some reconcile this difference thus, 300. were afterwards added, who were above all the rest; and some, that 3300. were over the stone-cutters and bearers of burthens, and 300. over those that cut timber in Lebanon.