Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 5:2
And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,
2. Solomon sent to Hiram ] Josephus ( l. c.) says that the message was by letter, as was also Hiram’s answer. That Hiram wrote his reply is mentioned 2Ch 2:11. Josephus also states that copies of these two letters still remained not only preserved in the Jewish records, but also among the Tyrians so that anybody wishing to test his statements might, if he wished, refer to them.
Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges
Verse 2. Solomon sent to Hiram] Made an interchange of ambassadors and friendly greetings. Josephus tells us that the correspondence between Hiram and Solomon was preserved in the archives of the Tyrians even in his time. But this, like many other assertions of the same author, is worthy of little credit.
Fuente: Adam Clarke’s Commentary and Critical Notes on the Bible
And Solomon sent to Hiram,…. A letter, either by the hand of his ambassadors when they returned, as Kimchi thinks, or by ambassadors Solomon sent on purpose. Josephus w appeals to the Tyrian archives for the genuineness of these letters that passed between Hiram and Solomon; and Eupolemus, an Heathen writer x has both this which Solomon sent to Hiram, and that which Hiram sent in answer to it, which agree with those in the sacred records:
saying: as follows.
w Antiqu. l. 8. c. 2. sect. 8. x Ut Supra. (Apud Euseb. Praepar. Evangel. l. 9. c. 32, 34.)
Fuente: John Gill’s Exposition of the Entire Bible
(2) And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying, (3) Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet. (4) But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent. (5) And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name. (6) Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians.
Solomon’s embassy to Hiram being on so important a subject as the building of the temple, every part of it becomes interesting for the pious Reader to regard. Herein Solomon was eminently a type of Jesus, of whom the prophet predicted that he should build the temple of the Lord, and he should bear the glory. Zec 6:13 . It is worthy of remark that Lebanon was in Solomon’s territories, but Hiram’s servants were more expert in hewing timber than the Israelites. Now the prophet Isaiah explains this in reference to gospel times. The sons of strangers shall build up thy walls; and their kings shall minister unto thee; that is, unto Jesus. See Isa 60:10 . And Solomon, as a type of Christ, had the ministry of those servants of Hiram, the men of Tyre and Sidon; and Hiram himself is brought in upon this occasion to minister as an instrument in the Lord’s hand to the service of Solomon, in building his temple. But Reader! there is still a greater beauty in the subject considered as typical of the gospel church of Jesus. Oh! Reader! think what sons of strangers in our Gentile church the ministers of Christ are, whom the Lord hath employed to build the walls of his Zion!, may not everyone of this description exclaim, My birth and my nativity is of the land of Canaan; my father was an Amnonite, and my mother an Hittite, See Eze 16:3 . Oh! how marvellous and distinguishing is the grace of God! if the Reader be desirous to see more of the beautiful figures made use of concerning Lebanon, etc. I refer him to Isa 60 . throughout.
Fuente: Hawker’s Poor Man’s Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
1Ki 5:2 And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,
Ver. 2. And Solomon sent to Hiram. ] By the same messengers, say some. Rather by ambassadors of his own.
Fuente: John Trapp’s Complete Commentary (Old and New Testaments)
2Ch 2:3
Reciprocal: 2Sa 5:11 – Hiram 1Ki 9:13 – my brother