2:1 David had wanted to build a Temple for God (2 Samuel 7). God denied his request because David had been a warrior, but God said that David’s son Solomon would build the Temple. God allowed David to make the plans and preparations for the Temple (1 Chronicles 23–26; 28:11-19). David bought the land (2 Samuel 24:18-25; 1 Chronicles 22:1), gathered most of the construction materials (1 Chronicles 22:14-16), and received the plans from God (1 Chronicles 28:11, 12, 19). It was Solomon’s responsibility to make the plans a reality. His job was made easier by his father’s exhaustive preparations. God’s work can be moved forward when the older generation paves the way for the younger.
2:3-12 Although Huram (called Hiram in the books of Samuel and Kings) was one of David’s and Solomon’s friendly allies, he was the ruler of a nation that worshiped many different gods. Huram was happy to send materials for the Temple, and both David and Solomon used this occasion to testify about the one true God.
2:5, 6 We should try our best to build beautiful, accessible, and welcoming places of worship to be a testimony and credit to God. In so doing, however, we must remember that God cannot be contained in our building or lovely setting. He is far greater than any structure, so we must focus our praise on him and not merely on the place of worship.
2:7 Why use foreign craftsmen? The Israelites had great knowledge of agriculture but knew little about metalworking. So they found people who were experts in this area. It is not a sin to obtain secular expertise as we go about God’s work. He distributes talents as he chooses, and he often decides to give skill to non-Christians. When we hire secular contractors to build or repair our church buildings, we are recognizing that God gives gifts liberally. We may also be gaining an opportunity to tell the workers about God.
2:8, 9 Israel did not have much wood, but Lebanon, a small nation on the seacoast, had some of the finest cedar forests in the ancient Near East. Lebanon also imported a great deal of food from Israel. Thus, the two kings made a trade agreement that was beneficial to both nations.
2:17, 18 Why would Solomon force foreigners living in Israel to do the work of slaves? These foreigners were descendants of the pagan nations that had not been driven out of the land in Joshua’s day (Joshua 9:23-27; Judges 1:21-33; 1 Kings 9:20, 21). Scripture has specific laws about treating slaves fairly (Leviticus 25:39-55), so Solomon would not have treated them harshly as other nations might. Solomon’s action was probably only in force during the construction of the Temple.