2 Chronicles 2:3

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].

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.

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.

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.

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

2 Chronicles 2:3 records King Solomon's diplomatic overture to King Huram of Tyre, seeking assistance for the monumental task of building the Temple of the Lord in Jerusalem. This verse highlights Solomon's strategic approach to leadership and his reliance on established relationships.

Context

Following the death of his father, King David, Solomon inherits the throne with a clear divine mandate: to construct the magnificent Temple that David had longed to build but was not permitted to (see 1 Chronicles 17:1). Recognizing the vast resources and skilled labor required for such an undertaking, Solomon immediately reaches out to Huram, the king of Tyre. Huram, also known as Hiram in the book of 1 Kings, had been a loyal ally and trading partner to David, notably supplying him with cedar timber for David's own palace. Solomon's request is a direct appeal to continue this beneficial relationship, leveraging the past goodwill to secure essential materials—specifically, the prized cedars of Lebanon—for the Temple project, which was his primary focus as outlined in 2 Chronicles 2:1.

Key Themes

  • Continuity and Legacy: Solomon demonstrates respect for his father's reign and relies on the foundations laid by David, both in terms of divine commission and international relations. This seamless transition of power and purpose is crucial for the kingdom's stability and the fulfillment of God's plans.
  • Strategic Alliances: The verse underscores the importance of diplomatic relationships and cooperation in achieving significant goals. Solomon's wisdom, as God had granted him (see 1 Kings 3:9), is evident in his immediate and practical approach to securing resources.
  • Preparation for God's Work: Building the Temple was not a spontaneous act but a meticulously planned endeavor. Solomon's early communication with Huram for materials highlights the necessity of thorough preparation and resource gathering when undertaking projects of divine significance.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Huram" in 2 Chronicles is equivalent to "Hiram" found in the book of 1 Kings. Both refer to the same Phoenician king of Tyre, a powerful maritime city-state known for its wealth and skilled craftsmen. The "cedars" mentioned were highly prized timber from the forests of Lebanon, renowned for their durability, fragrance, and resistance to decay, making them ideal for grand construction projects like the Temple. Solomon's appeal to Huram's past dealings with David ("As thou didst deal with David my father...") emphasizes the importance of established trust and reciprocity in ancient Near Eastern diplomacy.

Practical Application

Solomon's approach in 2 Chronicles 2:3 teaches us valuable lessons about leadership and undertaking important tasks, whether spiritual or secular. It reminds us of the value of leveraging existing relationships and seeking collaboration for large-scale endeavors. Just as Solomon built upon David's legacy, we are often called to build upon the efforts of those who came before us. Furthermore, the verse emphasizes the importance of diligent preparation and resourcefulness in pursuing God's purposes, recognizing that even divinely appointed tasks require practical planning and human cooperation.

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Cross-References

  • 1 Chronicles 14:1 (5 votes)

    ¶ 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 (3 votes)

    ¶ 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 (2 votes)

    ¶ 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 (2 votes)

    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.