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Home , 1 Chronicles 14, 1 Chronicles 16, 1 Kings 10, 1 Kings 7, 2 Chronicles 1, 2 Chronicles 2

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By Dr. Gene Wilkes President, B. H. Carroll Theological Institute Plano, Texas

Studies in : No Ordinary Kind of Wisdom (1 & 2 Chronicles)

Lesson Five Ready to Build

Focal Text :1-12

Background :9-14

Main Idea Working together reflects the greatness of our God.

Question to Explore What do I do with the people God sends to me, who have different gifts and talents?

Quick Read Solomon began with modesty and understanding that what he himself had or what he himself knew was limited. This is evidence of his great wisdom; that he knew his own limitations. .

Introduction “Teamwork makes the dream work,” is the title of John Maxwell’s book of stories and illustrations about how teams accomplish greater things than individuals. Solomon wrote millennia earlier, Page 1 of 8 Premium Commentary. Solomon: No Ordinary Kind of Wisdom--Lesson Five. Copyright © 2021 BAPTISTWAY PRESS©. A MINISTRY OF THE Baptist General Convention of Texas. Go to www.baptistway press.org or call 1-866-249-1799 toll-free for additional study materials for all ages. This lesson is not to be sold or distributed beyond the subscription agreement. The copyright notice and identifying information in this note must be included on any copies made. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations in Premium Commentary are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, ®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. 2 Chronicles 2:1-12, Ready to Build

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil…And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken. (Ecclesiastes 4:9, 12)

Solomon was not simply a sage who said and wrote wise sayings, he lived out the truths he wrote down. We will see in this lesson that Solomon knew his strengths and limitations and called upon others to aid him in the work given to him to complete. He would partner with others to realize the vision of a beautiful and magnificent Temple to God. One of his first acts after ordering the building of the Temple was to turn to an ally of who aided his father before him.

All was set for the building of the temple by Solomon who was now solely king of Israel. 2 Chronicles 2:1-7:22, which we will study, is central to the story of Solomon. The building and dedication of the Temple, the symbol of God’s presence among his people, was a fulfilled promise of God to the people of Israel. Since God walked in the Garden in the cool of the day with creation, the Lord has dwelled among the chosen people. (Genesis 3:8) His presence came in the form of natural phenomenon and heavenly beings until God directed to build the “tent of meeting,” or, after he delivered them from Egypt. The tabernacle said God was present. The Temple would symbolize the same thing until Jesus of Nazareth, who was named Emmanuel, God with Us, “moved into the neighborhood.” (John 1:14; MSG)

See :1-16 for a parallel account of the events described in the focal text for this lesson. While some details differ, the accounts are similar in recording how Solomon began the project by adding to the laborers and materials had provided him and calling upon an ally to aid in supplying more than what he had at hand. We will see the humble wisdom of a king who knew his limitations and called upon others to help him in the things God called him to do.

Commentary

A Time to Build (2:1-2)

All the preparations for construction of the Temple were made. Solomon wrote in his reflections on life that there was a “time to tear down and a time to build.” (Ecclesiastes 3:3) Now was the time to build. The king gave the orders to build the Temple “for the name of the Lord.” (v. 1) The name of the Lord, Yahweh, represented the person of God. The temple would be for worship of the God of Israel. The king added orders to build “a royal palace for himself” (2:12, 7:11; 8:1 etc.) David had built a palace for himself but not a “house” for Yahweh, the God of Israel. Solomon would build both.

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2 Chronicles 2:1-12, Ready to Build

As part of Solomon’s orders to begin construction he conscripted men to be “carriers,” stone cutters in the hills throughout Judah and supervisors to see the work was done properly. (v. 2) Later in the chapter we learn that Solomon took a census of all the “resident aliens” living in Israel. (v. 17) A resident alien, or “foreigner” (NASB) was a non-citizen who lived among the people of Israel. Special laws were made to provide food and clothing for those living there because the Israelites were once aliens in Egypt. (Exodus 23:9; Deuteronomy 24:19-20) Boaz, the Israelite, made such provisions for Ruth, the Moabite, when harvesting his fields. (Ruth 2:14-16) It is from this portion of the population Solomon may have selected the laborers. The numbers of workers recorded in verse 2 are repeated in verse 18 of the chapter.

Hiram, King of Tyre (2:3-4)

Solomon, knowing the enormity of the project before him, reached out to an ally of his father, Hiram, King of Tyre, for help. (v. 3) When David conquered from the Jebusites, Hiram sent materials and workers to help him build a palace. (2 5:11, 12; :1) When Solomon became king, we are told that Hiram sent envoys to the new king “because he had always been on friendly terms with David.” (1 Kings 5:1; NIV) We know of Hiram primarily through his relationship with David and Solomon in the biblical narrative. , the ancient Jewish historian, added that he was the son of Abibal and nineteen years old when he succeeded his father as king of Tyre. [HIBC, Hiram, Hugh Tobias] The king demonstrated his friendship by suppling materials for Israel’s kings.

Tyre was a port city on the coast of , north of Israel. Sidon, its sister city, combined to provide ports of commerce to the world. During Roman rule, the cities remained active ports, but importance shifted to Caesarea under Herod’s enhanced construction there. Jesus referenced Sidon and Tyre as those whose judgement would be “more bearable” than that of Chorazin and Bethsaida. (Matthew 11:20-22) Paul stayed in Tyre for seven days after his third missionary journey. (Acts 21:3-4) The port cities profited from the inland trade routes governed by Solomon, and Israel benefitted by the goods that came through the ports from around the known world. Both kings showed wisdom to share resources and personnel with one another. Solomon made a specific ask for Hiram to send him “cedar logs” (NIV) as he had to David for his palace. Solomon wanted the same quality wood for “a house for the name of [Yahweh] my God,” which would be dedicated to God for worship.

Solomon then enumerated the prescribed activities of worship that would take place in the Temple as they were observed in the tabernacle. (v. 4) God established each practice, festival and furnishing with Moses in the design of the tabernacle. These included: incense (Ex 25:6), the “regular arrangement” of the showbread (Ex 25:30; Lev 24:5-9), and the morning and evening burnt offerings (Numbers 28-29) on the Sabbath and New Moons (Numbers 28:1—29:40). The king wrote the Temple would be the site Page 3 of 8 Premium Commentary. Solomon: No Ordinary Kind of Wisdom--Lesson Five. Copyright © 2021 BAPTISTWAY PRESS©. A MINISTRY OF THE Baptist General Convention of Texas. Go to www.baptistway press.org or call 1-866-249-1799 toll-free for additional Bible study materials for all ages. This lesson is not to be sold or distributed beyond the subscription agreement. The copyright notice and identifying information in this note must be included on any copies made.

2 Chronicles 2:1-12, Ready to Build

for the “appointed festivals” God gave Israel to observe annually. God established seven “festivals,” which marked the calendar for God’s people, beginning with Passover. The seven observances are spelled out generally in Leviticus 23. These festivals were “ordained forever for Israel.” The Feast of , or Booths will be noted later in our study of Solomon. (:3)

Who Is Able to Build a Temple for God? (2:5-6)

The King of Israel wrote to his ally that the Temple would be “great.” (v. 5) The reason he said was because the God of Israel was “greater than all gods,” a confession of praise King David gave the to declare. (:25) Solomon continued to praise the greatness of Yahweh by asking a rhetorical question of who could build a temple for God since the “highest heavens” could not contain him. (v. 6) David sang that the heavens declare the glory of God, but they do not contain God. (Psalm 19:1) Solomon demonstrated his humility when he asked God for wisdom and discernment to rule rather that for wealth and power. He also humbly confessed to the King of Tyre, “Who am I to build a house for [God]?” (v. 6) Moses asked the same question when God came to him in the burning bush and told him to go to Pharaoh in order to free the people of Israel from slavery. (Exodus 3:11) The biblical response to God’s call to join him on mission is, “Who am I to do such a thing?” not “I’ve always wanted to do that!” (See Gideon’s response to the angel of the Lord when called to judge Israel; Judges 6:11-16) The king knew he was not worthy to build a house for the King of the Universe. All he could do was to build “a place to make offerings before him.” Solomon’s confession witnessed to Hiram his belief in who Yahweh was and why he was launching such a magnificent project.

A Partnership of Skilled Workers (2:7-10)

Solomon got to the point of his request with the pivotal words, “So now.” (v. 7; 1 Kings 5:6) He first requested a person skilled in metals and fabrics and trained in engraving to work alongside his workers. People who knew how to work with the Temple materials were requested prior to requesting the materials. What good are materials without the people to use them? The items mentioned—gold, silver, bronze, iron, and purple, crimson, and blue yarn—were all needed to build not only the Temple structure but to make items that furnished it. Moses chose a similarly skilled man named Bezalel to guide and train others to make materials for the tabernacle. (Exodus 35:35) Solomon stated that these workers would serve in “Judah and Jerusalem” along with the workers his father, David, had provided for the project. (:20, 21) Although he had the laborers and skilled craftsmen in Jerusalem, he was wise enough to draw on the talents and skills of an ally to complete the Temple to Yahweh. God has provisions outside our realm of resources among the people he has already put in our lives.

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2 Chronicles 2:1-12, Ready to Build

Solomon’s second request was for physical resources, specifically timber. (v. 8) He requested “cedar, cypress and algum timber” that was plentiful in and beyond. The “cedars of Lebanon” were symbols of strength in Scripture yet could not withstand the voice of Yahweh. (Psalm 29:5) Solomon acknowledged that there was “no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians.” (1 King 5:6) We are told in the record of the Kings that Hiram’s fleet brought algum wood along with gold from to Solomon. (:10-11) As with the metal and material workers, Hiram’s servants who knew how to “cut timber in Lebanon” would work together with those assigned by Solomon. (v. 9) These additional workers were needed because the Temple would be “great and wonderful.” Solomon compensated those Hiram sent fairly for their service. (v. 10) A “cor” was a dry measure of about 220 liters, and a “bath” was a liquid measure of about 22 liters. [Thompson, p. 211, n. 9]

Solomon wisely requested that Israel’s ally, King of Tyre, Hiram, send skilled workers and quality materials to work alongside Israel’s workers and resources to complete the Temple. The King of Israel discerned the need for additional talent and resources outside what he had been given to him by his father. God provided the provisions needed for the Temple to Solomon through the previous generation and existing allies. Solomon invested all God gave him to complete the house of worship.

The Response from the King of Tyre (2:11-12)

The King of Tyre responded positively to Solomon’s requests. His letter began with an acknowledgement that Solomon was king because Yahweh “loves his people.” (v. 11) Hiram observed David’s reign and witnessed the favor of God on Israel and concluded Solomon’s reign was a sign of that same love. The word for love here is , a common word for love, for example, of a friend. (Proverbs 17:9; 10:12) It is not the special word for love, hesed, used for God’s covenant love for Israel we observed before. Hiram did not fully understand the extent of Yahweh’s love for Israel, but he expressed what he observed as best he knew how.

Hiram then blessed, or, praised (NIV) Yahweh, the God of Israel as the creator of heaven and earth. (v. 12) Having been an ally of Solomon’s father and having watched Solomon grow up and become king from his place in Tyre, Hiram declared God had given David a “wise son, who has discernment and understanding.” These were the very things Solomon asked God for and were observed by Hiram. (:10) True wisdom is not self-proclaimed but recognized by others. The king proclaimed that Solomon would build both the Temple and a palace for himself. His confidence was built upon how he observed God blessed David and the king’s legacy of faith and character in his son. Hiram’s response concluded by naming the “skilled man, who has understanding,” Huram-Abi, to work with Solomon. (v. 13, 14) We learn from our earlier source that Huram-Abi’s mother was a “widow from the and whose father was from Tyre,” a skilled worker in bronze. (:13, 14; NIV) Huram-Abi Page 5 of 8 Premium Commentary. Solomon: No Ordinary Kind of Wisdom--Lesson Five. Copyright © 2021 BAPTISTWAY PRESS©. A MINISTRY OF THE Baptist General Convention of Texas. Go to www.baptistway press.org or call 1-866-249-1799 toll-free for additional Bible study materials for all ages. This lesson is not to be sold or distributed beyond the subscription agreement. The copyright notice and identifying information in this note must be included on any copies made.

2 Chronicles 2:1-12, Ready to Build

was “filled with wisdom, with understanding and with knowledge to do all kinds of bronze work.” Here wisdom and understanding is equated with skilled labor, not the things of God.

King Hiram also asked that Solomon send payment and he would cut the logs and float them to Joppa from where Solomon could take them to Jerusalem. (v. 15) We see some of the practices of commerce through descriptions like these throughout the story of Solomon. Beyond what David provided for the Temple, Solomon wisely called upon an ally to aid him in completing the project.

Conclusion

The wise actions portrayed by Solomon in this passage teach us more about biblical wisdom. This wisdom is not simply knowledge and understanding of a subject, but insight translated into effective action. We also observe that leadership is best done in partnership with others rather than seeking to do great things on our own. Solomon’s addition of workers and reaching out to Hiram, King of Tyre, demonstrated his dependence on others to build the Temple. Nothing great for God is done alone. God- sized projects requires the help of others. King David and King of Tyre gave Solomon what he needed. He did not create or accumulate the resources for the project on his own. Everything was in place through relationships Israel and he had either from his father or his father’s ally; both whom God used to supply Solomon’s needs.

God provides for what God commissions. Jesus did not send his disciples out as individual superheroes. He sent them out “two by two,” giving the authority to deal with whatever they encountered. (Mark 6:7) In the New Covenant of Jesus, the Christ, we read, “For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is with Christ.” (1 Corinthians 12:12) The Mission of God requires people working together, sharing their resources, gifts and talents to complete the work assigned them by God.

We also observe that a temple-sized project elicits humility when we trust who God is and what God has asked us to do. Solomon asked the question, “Who am I?” when he considered who he was and what he was commissioned to do. The king’s genuine humility led him to call on others for help. If we would pause and consider the task God has called us to; that is, to “make disciples of all people,” we may ask, “Who am I to be asked to do such a thing?” Biblical servant leaders like Solomon humble themselves and depend on God and others to aid them in what God called them to do.

Worship involves tradition, excellence, and a witness to others. Solomon did not seek to innovate the worship of God as he built the first Temple for the worship of Yahweh. His letter to Hiram made it clear he would incorporate the worship practices ordained by God for the tabernacle and observe the festivals “ordained forever for Israel.” Inclusion Page 6 of 8 Premium Commentary. Solomon: No Ordinary Kind of Wisdom--Lesson Five. Copyright © 2021 BAPTISTWAY PRESS©. A MINISTRY OF THE Baptist General Convention of Texas. Go to www.baptistway press.org or call 1-866-249-1799 toll-free for additional Bible study materials for all ages. This lesson is not to be sold or distributed beyond the subscription agreement. The copyright notice and identifying information in this note must be included on any copies made.

2 Chronicles 2:1-12, Ready to Build

of the valuable and sacred objects along with the magnificent plans for the structure signaled the excellence of the work to honor God. All of this was a witness of the greatness of the God of Israel to a non-Israelite king who helped because he saw how God favored the people of Israel. These very things if sought alone can destroy the work of God. Tradition can hinder authentic worship of God; See Amos 8:5 and Colossians 2:16. Excellence for excellence sake can become an end in itself and bring glory to the builder rather than for the one to whom the project was built. Others, too, can see and be impressed by our accomplishments and if not turned to God, we can be the focus of attention rather than the one who commissioned us to complete what we have done. Working together reflects the greatness of God not of ourselves.

Meet the Writer: Dr. Gene Wilkes Dr. Gene Wilkes is President & Professor of & Leadership of B.H. Carroll Theological Institute. He has authored 11 books, including "Jesus On Leadership: Timeless Wisdom on Servant Leadership" & "A New Way of Living: Practicing the Beatitudes Every Day." Dr. Wilkes received his Ph.D. in New Testament Studies & his M.Div. from SWBTS. He graduated from Baylor University with a B.A. in Religion & Greek. Dr. Wilkes lives in Plano, TX, with his wife, Kim. They have 2 daughters & 3 grandchildren.

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Bibliography

Albright, William F. The Biblical Period From to Ezra (New York: Harper & Row, 1963) Halley, Henry H. Halley’s Bible Handbook, 3rd edition (, 1962) Holman Illustrated Bible Dictionary, Chad Brand, Charles Draper, Archie England, General Editors (Holman Bible Publishers, 2003) Kohlenberger/Mounce, Concise Hebrew-Aramaic Dictionary of the John R. Kohlenberger III and William D. Mounce, Editors (William D. Mounce, 2012) Accordance Biblical Software edition. Page 7 of 8 Premium Commentary. Solomon: No Ordinary Kind of Wisdom--Lesson Five. Copyright © 2021 BAPTISTWAY PRESS©. A MINISTRY OF THE Baptist General Convention of Texas. Go to www.baptistway press.org or call 1-866-249-1799 toll-free for additional Bible study materials for all ages. This lesson is not to be sold or distributed beyond the subscription agreement. The copyright notice and identifying information in this note must be included on any copies made.

2 Chronicles 2:1-12, Ready to Build

Maxwell, John, Teamwork Makes the Dream Work (Thomas Nelson, 2002) Thompson, J. A. 1, 2 Chronicles, Vol. 9 in The New American Commentary, E. Ray Clendenen, General Editor (Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1994) Williamson, H. G. M. 1 and 2 Chronicles, in The New Century Bible Commentary, Ronald Clements and Matthew Black, General Editors (Eerdmans, 1982)

NASB = New American Standard Bible NIV = New International Version ESV = English Standard Version HCSB = Holman Christian Standard Bible KJV = MSG = The Message NASB = New American Standard Bible NET = NIV = New International Version

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