2 Chronicles 2

Tyndale Open Study Notes

Verse 1

2:1 The Temple is immediately introduced as the first priority among Solomon’s building projects, although the work actually began in the fourth year of his reign (3:2). Solomon used the intervening years to negotiate with King Hiram (2:3) for materials and skilled workers.

Verse 5

2:5-6 a magnificent Temple: The greatness of the Temple and the greatness of God were not of the same order, since not even the highest heavens can contain God.

Verse 8

2:8 The cedar is Cedrus libani (“cedar of Lebanon”), a tree renowned for its beauty, impressive height (sometimes reaching 100 feet), and fragrant wood. Kings from Egypt, Phoenicia, Assyria, Babylon, Persia, and Greece used cedar timber from Lebanon for building temples and palaces. • Red sandalwood was used to make supports for the Temple (possibly pillars or balustrades) as well as musical instruments (see 1 Kgs 10:11). Often mentioned in ancient writings, the exact identity of this hard, reddish-brown wood is uncertain.

Verse 13

2:13-14 The skill and knowledge of Huram-abi, a master (literally wise) craftsman, was required for building the Temple. Huram-abi had expertise in metals (gold, silver, bronze, and iron), in stone and wood, and in textiles (purple, blue, and scarlet cloth and fine linen). Similarly, God had chosen Bezalel as the master craftsman of the Tabernacle and had endowed him with wisdom to carry out the work (Exod 31:1-5).

Verse 17

2:17-18 The book of Kings explains that all those left from the seven nations were conscripted for labor. Further, no Israelites were conscripted, and Israelites were placed in charge of the laborers (1 Kgs 9:20-23).