2 Chronicles 2:3

KJV

And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, As thou didst deal with David my father, and didst send him cedars to build him an house to dwell therein, [even so deal with me].

KJV (with Strong's)

And Solomon {H8010} sent {H7971} to Huram {H2361} the king {H4428} of Tyre {H6865}, saying {H559}, As thou didst deal {H6213} with David {H1732} my father {H1}, and didst send {H7971} him cedars {H730} to build {H1129} him an house {H1004} to dwell {H3427} therein, even so deal with me.

Complete Jewish Bible

3,600 supervising them. Then Shlomo sent this message to Huram the king of Tzor: "[Deal with me] as you dealt with David my father when you sent him cedar logs, so that he could build himself a palace to live in.

Berean Standard Bible

Then Solomon sent word to Hiram king of Tyre: “Do for me as you did for my father David when you sent him cedars to build himself a house to live in.

American Standard Version

And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, As thou didst deal with David my father, and didst send him cedars to build him a house to dwell therein, even so deal with me.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 2:3 captures King Solomon's immediate and strategic diplomatic outreach to Huram, the king of Tyre, at the outset of his reign. This verse marks the crucial first step in the practical preparations for the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem, a monumental task divinely entrusted to Solomon. By appealing to the established, friendly relationship and the valuable assistance Huram had previously rendered to his father, King David, in supplying cedar timber for David's palace, Solomon skillfully requests similar support for the even grander and more sacred undertaking of building the Lord's house. The verse powerfully demonstrates Solomon's practical wisdom, his reliance on strategic alliances, and the continuity of God's redemptive plan unfolding through successive generations of leadership.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed at the very beginning of Solomon's reign, immediately following his profound encounter with God at Gibeon, where he humbly requested and received divine wisdom, along with unasked-for riches and honor, as detailed in [2 Chronicles 1:7-12](/2_chronicles/1-7-12 "2 Chronicles 1:7-12 - Solomon's Prayer for Wisdom and God's Response"). The preceding verses ([2 Chronicles 2:1-2](/2_chronicles/2-1-2 "2 Chronicles 2:1-2 - Solomon's Resolve to Build the Temple and Palace")) explicitly articulate Solomon's firm resolve to construct both a temple for the Lord and a royal palace for himself, underscoring the immense scale of these projects by noting the vast workforce he assembled. Therefore, [2 Chronicles 2:3](/2_chronicles/2-3 "2 Chronicles 2:3 - Solomon's Request to Huram") serves as the vital practical initiation of this divinely mandated and personally committed endeavor, showcasing Solomon's prompt and strategic action to secure the high-quality materials and skilled labor from a trusted, long-standing ally.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The relationship between the burgeoning Israelite kingdom and the powerful Phoenician city-state of Tyre was a cornerstone of regional stability and economic prosperity. Tyre, a dominant maritime power situated on the Mediterranean coast, was celebrated throughout the ancient Near East for its immense wealth, advanced craftsmanship, and unparalleled access to vast timber resources, particularly the highly coveted cedars of Lebanon. These cedars were prized for their exceptional durability, fragrant aroma, and natural resistance to decay, making them the premier building material for monumental and sacred structures. King Huram (often identified as Hiram in [1 Kings 5:1](/1_kings/5-1 "1 Kings 5:1 - Hiram's Alliance with David")) had cultivated a strong and mutually beneficial alliance with King David, providing not only essential materials but also expert artisans for the construction of David's own palace ([2 Samuel 5:11](/2_samuel/5-11 "2 Samuel 5:11 - Hiram's Aid in Building David's Palace")). Solomon's appeal to this pre-existing, robust relationship was a common and highly effective diplomatic strategy in the ancient Near East, where treaties and alliances were frequently solidified through reciprocal aid, dynastic continuity, and the exchange of valuable goods and services.
* **Key Themes:** [2 Chronicles 2:3](/2_chronicles/2-3 "2 Chronicles 2:3 - Solomon's Diplomatic Overture") powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the Chronicler's narrative and the broader biblical account of Israel's history. Firstly, it highlights **Continuity and Legacy**, as Solomon consciously and deliberately builds upon the foundation laid by his father, David, encompassing both the divine commission to construct the Temple ([1 Chronicles 17:1-15](/1_chronicles/17-1-15 "1 Chronicles 17:1-15 - Nathan's Prophecy Regarding the Temple")) and the established international diplomatic relationships. Secondly, the verse underscores the theme of **Strategic Wisdom and Divine Provision**, demonstrating Solomon's practical application of the profound wisdom God had graciously granted him ([1 Kings 3:9](/1_kings/3-9 "1 Kings 3:9 - Solomon's Prayer for an Understanding Heart")) by promptly securing the essential resources for a divinely appointed task. Finally, it emphasizes **Human Cooperation in Divine Projects**, showcasing that even a work commanded by God necessitates diligent human effort, meticulous planning, and collaborative partnerships, thereby underscoring the profound truth that God frequently employs human means and relationships to accomplish His grand and overarching purposes.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Solomon (Hebrew, _Shᵉlômôh'_):** This name, derived from the root for "peace" or "completeness," signifies "peaceful." As David's successor, Solomon was divinely chosen to build the Temple, a task his father was forbidden to undertake due to his wars. His name itself foreshadows the era of peace and prosperity during which the Temple would be constructed, a stark contrast to David's reign. This verse shows Solomon immediately stepping into his divinely appointed role with wisdom and initiative.
* **Sent (Hebrew, _shâlach'_):** This verb means "to send away, for, or out," indicating a deliberate and formal dispatch. In this context, it signifies Solomon's proactive and official diplomatic overture to Huram. The act of "sending" underscores the importance and intentionality of this communication, initiating a crucial alliance for the monumental Temple project. It highlights Solomon's executive action as king.
* **Father (Hebrew, _ʼâb'_):** This primitive word denotes a literal and immediate father, but also carries figurative and remote applications, signifying a chief or forefather. Solomon's invocation of "David my father" is a powerful appeal to dynastic continuity and established precedent. It leverages the strong, beneficial relationship Huram had with David, appealing to a history of trust and cooperation that Solomon seeks to extend, thereby reinforcing his legitimate succession and the ongoing nature of the kingdom's endeavors.
* **House (Hebrew, _bayith'_):** This word, likely from the root "to build," refers to a dwelling or building, but also extends to applications like family, household, or even a temple. In this verse, it refers to David's royal palace, built with Huram's assistance. This specific mention of David's "house" sets up the implicit contrast with the "house" (Temple) Solomon intends to build for the Lord, subtly elevating the new project's sacred significance while grounding it in a history of successful collaboration.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying,"**: This opening clause immediately establishes Solomon's proactive and diplomatic leadership. Upon assuming the throne and resolving to build the Temple, he wastes no time in initiating formal contact with a crucial foreign ally. The act of "sending" signifies a deliberate, intentional overture, indicating the strategic importance of this relationship for the monumental task ahead. It highlights Solomon's executive action in securing necessary resources.
* **"As thou didst deal with David my father, and didst send him cedars to build him an house to dwell therein,"**: This segment forms the historical and relational foundation of Solomon's appeal. He skillfully invokes the precedent of Huram's past assistance to King David, specifically recalling the provision of highly prized cedars for David's royal palace. This appeal to established loyalty, reciprocal benefit, and shared history serves as a powerful diplomatic tool, reminding Huram of their successful prior collaborations and the trust that had been built. It also subtly reinforces the legitimacy and continuity of the Davidic dynasty.
* **"[even so deal with me]."**: This concise yet potent concluding phrase is Solomon's direct request, a clear plea for the continuation of the same beneficial relationship and the extension of similar assistance. It is a direct appeal for Huram to extend the same favor and provision to the son as he did to the father, now for an even greater and more sacred purpose—the construction of the Temple of the Lord. It signifies Solomon's wisdom in leveraging established alliances and his reliance on proven partnerships for divine purposes.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several significant literary devices that enrich its meaning and underscore its strategic importance. **Allusion** is prominently featured, as Solomon directly references Huram's past dealings with David, relying on shared history and established trust to facilitate his request. This creates a powerful sense of **Continuity**, seamlessly linking David's reign with Solomon's and demonstrating the uninterrupted progression of God's overarching plan for Israel. The entire interaction serves as a prime example of **Diplomacy**, showcasing the astute and strategic use of language, historical precedent, and relationship-building in ancient Near Eastern politics. The specific mention of "cedars" functions as **Symbolism**, representing not merely a high-quality building material but also the grandeur, durability, and divine favor associated with the Temple project. Furthermore, the verse subtly employs **Foreshadowing**, as Solomon's successful overture to Huram sets the stage for the detailed accounts of the Temple's construction that will follow in the subsequent chapters, indicating that the necessary resources and expertise will indeed be secured.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
[2 Chronicles 2:3](/2_chronicles/2-3 "2 Chronicles 2:3 - Solomon's Wisdom in Seeking Alliance") profoundly illustrates God's providential care and His consistent method of utilizing human means and relationships to accomplish His divine purposes. While the Temple's construction was undeniably a divine mandate, God did not simply supernaturally materialize the vast quantities of materials or the highly specialized skilled labor. Instead, He worked through Solomon's God-given wisdom, his astute diplomatic efforts, and the pre-existing, strong relationships established by his father, David. This passage highlights the crucial theological principle that obedience to God's call often requires diligent planning, resourceful action, and collaborative partnerships with others, even those outside the immediate covenant community. It underscores that God equips His servants with what is needed, frequently through seemingly ordinary or natural channels, and that human cooperation, foresight, and effort are vital components in the unfolding of His grand redemptive history.
* [Exodus 31:1-6](/exodus/31-1-6 "Exodus 31:1-6 - God Equips Bezalel and Oholiab")
* [Nehemiah 2:7-8](/nehemiah/2-7-8 "Nehemiah 2:7-8 - Artaxerxes' Support for Nehemiah")
* [Philippians 4:19](/philippians/4-19 "Philippians 4:19 - God Supplies All Our Needs")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Solomon's approach in [2 Chronicles 2:3](/2_chronicles/2-3 "2 Chronicles 2:3 - Lessons in Leadership and Collaboration") offers timeless and profound lessons for leadership, collaboration, and undertaking significant endeavors, whether in our personal lives, within our communities, or in the context of ministry. Just as Solomon wisely built upon the legacy and relationships painstakingly forged by his father, David, we too are often called to honor, learn from, and leverage the efforts of those who have come before us, recognizing that we frequently stand on the shoulders of giants. This verse powerfully reminds us that even when pursuing God-given visions and obeying divine mandates, practical wisdom, meticulous strategic planning, and the intentional cultivation of healthy, trustworthy relationships are not merely beneficial but absolutely indispensable. It challenges us to be resourceful, diligently seeking out and utilizing the best available expertise, materials, and partnerships, understanding that God often works through human collaborations to bring His magnificent plans to fruition. Our readiness to collaborate, our willingness to honor past relationships, and our commitment to wise stewardship can unlock vital resources and open doors for future Kingdom work, demonstrating our faith through diligent action.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of your life, family, or ministry are you called to build upon a legacy or relationships established by others?**
* **How can you strategically cultivate and leverage existing or new relationships to further God's purposes in your specific sphere of influence?**
* **What resources (whether material, relational, intellectual, or spiritual) might God be calling you to seek out, steward, or develop for a significant task He has placed before you?**
* **How does Solomon's example encourage you to combine prayerful dependence on God with diligent, practical planning and proactive action?**

### FAQ
**Who was Huram (Hiram) and why was his relationship with Solomon so important for the Temple project?**

Answer: Huram, also known as Hiram in the book of [1 Kings](/1_kings/5 "1 Kings 5 - Hiram's Alliance with Solomon"), was the powerful and influential king of Tyre, a prominent Phoenician city-state. His relationship with Solomon was critically important because Tyre was renowned throughout the ancient world for its vast timber resources, particularly the highly prized cedars of Lebanon, and for its exceptionally skilled craftsmen, including master masons, expert carpenters, and accomplished metalworkers. These specific resources and unparalleled expertise were absolutely essential for the monumental and complex task of building the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem, as Israel itself lacked these specialized materials and skills on the scale required. Huram had already established a strong, mutually beneficial alliance with Solomon's father, King David, providing not only materials but also skilled artisans for the construction of David's royal palace ([2 Samuel 5:11](/2_samuel/5-11 "2 Samuel 5:11 - Hiram's Aid in Building David's Palace")). Solomon's ability to leverage this pre-existing, trusted, and reciprocal relationship ensured the timely and successful acquisition of the highest quality materials and labor, which were otherwise unavailable in Israel. This made Huram an indispensable partner in the fulfillment of God's architectural plans for His dwelling place, demonstrating God's providence through human alliances.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
[2 Chronicles 2:3](/2_chronicles/2-3 "2 Chronicles 2:3 - Solomon's Foreshadowing of Christ") and Solomon's strategic appeal for resources to build the earthly Temple find their profound Christ-centered fulfillment in the person and redemptive work of Jesus Christ. Solomon, in his divinely-granted wisdom and his leadership in constructing a physical dwelling for God's presence, serves as a significant foreshadowing of Christ, who is revealed as the ultimate wisdom of God incarnate ([1 Corinthians 1:30](/1_corinthians/1-30 "1 Corinthians 1:30 - Christ Our Wisdom and Righteousness")). Just as Solomon meticulously built a physical house for God's earthly presence, Jesus boldly declares Himself to be the true and eternal Temple, the very dwelling place of God among humanity, whose destruction and resurrection would usher in a new spiritual reality ([John 2:19-21](/john/2-19-21 "John 2:19-21 - Jesus Predicts His Resurrection, the True Temple")). Moreover, Christ is not merely the builder but the very cornerstone and foundational element of a new, spiritual Temple—the Church, composed of living stones, believers united in Him ([Ephesians 2:20-22](/ephesians/2-20-22 "Ephesians 2:20-22 - Christ the Cornerstone, Building the Church"); [1 Peter 2:4-5](/1_peter/2-4-5 "1 Peter 2:4-5 - Living Stones in a Spiritual House")). While Solomon relied on external resources and human alliances with kings like Huram, Christ, through His ultimate, self-sacrificial act on the cross, provides all the necessary "materials"—His own body and blood, and the indwelling Holy Spirit—to build His eternal kingdom and gather His people from every nation, tribe, and tongue, making them a holy temple in the Lord, a dwelling place for God by the Spirit ([Revelation 5:9-10](/revelation/5-9-10 "Revelation 5:9-10 - Redeemed by the Lamb from Every Tribe")). The continuity from David to Solomon in the building of the Temple ultimately points to the unbroken continuity of God's redemptive plan, culminating perfectly in Christ, who perfectly fulfills the Davidic covenant and establishes the eternal house of God, not made with human hands.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Chronicles 14:1

¶ Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house.

2 Samuel 5:11

¶ And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.

1 Kings 5:1

¶ And Hiram king of Tyre sent 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.

1 Kings 5:11

And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat [for] food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year.