The verse opens Solomon's message to Hiram arranging the building of a house for the name of the Lord his God. In that message Solomon explains that David his father could not build because he was surrounded by wars on every side until the Lord put his enemies under the soles of his feet. By contrast, the Lord has now given Solomon rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrence. Solomon therefore declares his purpose to build in fulfillment of the Lord's word to David, that the son set upon his throne in his place would build a house for His name.
To carry out that purpose Solomon asks Hiram to command that cedar trees be cut in Lebanon, with Solomon's servants working alongside Hiram's servants for wages set by Hiram, because Israel has no one as skilled in cutting timber as the Sidonians. Upon hearing Solomon's words Hiram rejoices greatly and blesses the Lord for giving David a wise son over the great people. He agrees to meet Solomon's desire for cedar and fir timber by bringing it down from Lebanon to the sea and sending it by floats to the appointed place for Solomon to receive, while Solomon in return meets Hiram's desire by providing food for his household.
The verse marks the transfer of the temple-building work that God withheld from David to Solomon his son, even though David had made large preparations for building the temple. David's proper part is to advise, counsel, and encourage Solomon from his large experience, while Solomon himself as the younger man must do the work, beginning with his sending to Hiram. In this way the verse teaches that when God in providence calls and qualifies other men to carry a work farther and lift the standard higher in a somewhat different way, older weary workers who do not grasp its greatness in all its bearings must not hinder them, limit the work, obstruct its progress, or dictate exactly how it should be done. Instead they must let the forward moves proceed with unswerving faithfulness so the work does not lose strength or efficiency.
The verse opens Solomon's message to Hiram arranging the building of a house for the name of the Lord his God. In that message Solomon explains that David his father could not build because he was surrounded by wars on every side until the Lord put his enemies under the soles of his feet. By contrast, the Lord has now given Solomon rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrence. Solomon therefore declares his purpose to build in fulfillment of the Lord's word to David, that the son set upon his throne in his place would build a house for His name.
To carry out that purpose Solomon asks Hiram to command that cedar trees be cut in Lebanon, with Solomon's servants working alongside Hiram's servants for wages set by Hiram, because Israel has no one as skilled in cutting timber as the Sidonians. Upon hearing Solomon's words Hiram rejoices greatly and blesses the Lord for giving David a wise son over the great people. He agrees to meet Solomon's desire for cedar and fir timber by bringing it down from Lebanon to the sea and sending it by floats to the appointed place for Solomon to receive, while Solomon in return meets Hiram's desire by providing food for his household.
The verse marks the transfer of the temple-building work that God withheld from David to Solomon his son, even though David had made large preparations for building the temple. David's proper part is to advise, counsel, and encourage Solomon from his large experience, while Solomon himself as the younger man must do the work, beginning with his sending to Hiram. In this way the verse teaches that when God in providence calls and qualifies other men to carry a work farther and lift the standard higher in a somewhat different way, older weary workers who do not grasp its greatness in all its bearings must not hinder them, limit the work, obstruct its progress, or dictate exactly how it should be done. Instead they must let the forward moves proceed with unswerving faithfulness so the work does not lose strength or efficiency.