II Chronicles 2:3-9 · Bible study
2 Chronicles 2:3-9 Commentary: Solomon's Temple Request
Hebrew · 10 what the commentators say
Meaning in one sentence
II Chronicles 2:3-9: Solomon asks Huram for materials and a craftsman, grounding his request in David's past ties and confessing God's infinite greatness.
Research Summary
- Meaning: Solomon requests materials and a master craftsman from Tyre, grounding his appeal in David's earlier dealings and humbly confessing God's infinite greatness.
- Key words: "great" (magnificent in size and dignity); "contain" (cannot confine God); "burn sacrifice/incense" (the temple's purpose is worship, not confinement).
- Main debate: Whether Huram fully acknowledged Yahweh or syncretized Him with Melkarth, sources assume the latter but note his positive response.
- Theological theme: God's transcendence and condescension: He cannot be housed, yet He provides a place for His people to meet Him.
- Best use: Teaching on worship, humility, planning, and interfaith cooperation without compromising uniqueness of God.
Translation Comparison
BSB Berean Standard Bible 2020
3Then 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.
4Behold, I am about to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God to dedicate to Him for burning fragrant incense before Him, for displaying the showbread continuously, and for making burnt offerings every morning and evening as well as on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts of the LORD our God. This is ordained for Israel forever.
5The house that I am building will be great, for our God is greater than all gods.
6But who is able to build a house for Him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain Him? Who then am I, that I should build a house for Him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before Him?
7Send me, therefore, a craftsman skilled in engraving to work with gold and silver, with bronze and iron, and with purple, crimson, and blue yarn. He will work with my craftsmen in Judah and Jerusalem, whom my father David provided.
8Send me also cedar, cypress, and algum logs from Lebanon, for I know that your servants have skill to cut timber there. And indeed, my servants will work with yours
9to prepare for me timber in abundance, because the temple I am building will be great and wonderful.
WEB World English Bible 2000
3Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, “As you dealt with David my father, and sent him cedars to build him a house in which to dwell, so deal with me.
4Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of Yahweh my God, to dedicate it to him, to burn before him incense of sweet spices, for the continual show bread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths, on the new moons, and on the set feasts of Yahweh our God. This is an ordinance forever to Israel.
5“The house which I am building will be great, for our God is greater than all gods.
6But who is able to build him a house, since heaven and the heaven of heavens can’t contain him? Who am I then, that I should build him a house, except just to burn incense before him?
7“Now therefore send me a man skillful to work in gold, in silver, in bronze, in iron, and in purple, crimson, and blue, and who knows how to engrave engravings, to be with the skillful men who are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father provided.
8“Send me also cedar trees, cypress trees, and algum trees out of Lebanon, for I know that your servants know how to cut timber in Lebanon. Behold, my servants will be with your servants,
9even to prepare timber in abundance for me; for the house which I am about to build will be great and wonderful.
KJV King James Version 1769
3And 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.
4Behold, I build an house to the name of the Lord my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the Lord our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.
5And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods.
6But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?
7Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide.
8Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants,
9Even to prepare me timber in abundance: for the house which I am about to build shall be wonderful great.
ASV American Standard Version 1901
3And 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.
4Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of Jehovah my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him incense of sweet spices, and for the continual showbread, and for the burnt-offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the set feasts of Jehovah our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.
5And the house which I build is great; for great is our God above all gods.
6But who is able to build him a house, seeing heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him a house, save only to burn incense before him?
7Now therefore send me a man skilful to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that knoweth how to grave all manner of gravings, to be with the skilful men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide.
8Send me also cedar-trees, fir-trees, and algum-trees, out of Lebanon; for I know that thy servants know how to cut timber in Lebanon. And, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants,
9even to prepare me timber in abundance; for the house which I am about to build shall be great and wonderful.
YLT Young's Literal Translation 1898
3And Solomon sendeth unto Huram king of Tyre, saying, `When thou hast dealt with David my father, then thou dost send to him cedars to build for him a house to dwell in;
4lo, I am building a house to the name of Jehovah my God, to sanctify it to Him, to make perfume before Him, perfume of spices, and a continual arrangement, and burnt-offerings at morning and at evening, at sabbaths, and at new moons, and at appointed seasons of Jehovah our God; to the age this is on Israel.
5`And the house that I am building is great, for greater is our God than all gods;
6and who doth retain strength to build to Him a house, for the heavens, even the heavens of the heavens, do not contain Him? and who am I that I do build to Him a house, except to make perfume before Him?
7`And now, send to me a wise man to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and knowing to grave gravings with the wise men who are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father prepared;
8and send to me cedar-trees, firs, and algums from Lebanon, for I have known that thy servants know to cut down trees of Lebanon, and lo, my servants are with thy servants,
9even to prepare for me trees in abundance, for the house that I am building is great and wonderful.
Darby Darby Bible 1890
3And Solomon sent to Huram 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 [so do for me].
4Behold, I build a house unto the name of Jehovah my God to dedicate it to him, to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual arrangement [of the shewbread], and for the morning and evening burnt-offerings [and] on the sabbaths and on the new moons, and on the set feasts of Jehovah our God. This is [an ordinance] for ever to Israel.
5And the house that I will build is great; for great is our God above allgods.
6But who is able to build him a house, seeing the heavens and the heaven of heavens cannot contain him? And who am I that I should build him a house, except to burn sacrifice before him?
7And now send me a man skilful to work in gold, and in silver, and in bronze, and in iron, and in purple and crimson and blue, and experienced in carving, besides the skilful men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father provided.
8Send me also cedar-trees, cypress-trees, and sandal-wood trees, out of Lebanon; for I know that thy servants are experienced in cutting timber in Lebanon; and behold, my servants shall be with thy servants,
9even to prepare me timber in abundance: for the house that I build shall be great and wonderful.
Douay-Rheims Douay-Rheims Bible 1899
3He sent also to Hiram king of Tyre, saying: As thou didst with David my father, and didst send him cedars, to build him a house, in which he dwelt:
4So do with me that I may build a house to the name of the Lord my God, to dedicate it to burn incense before him, and to perfume with aromatical spices, and for the continual setting forth of bread, and for the holocausts, morning and evening, and on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and the solemnities of the Lord our God for ever, which are commanded for Israel.
5For the house which I desire to build, is great: for our God is great above all gods.
6Who then can be able to build him a worthy house? if heaven, and the heavens of heavens cannot contain him: who am I that I should be able to build him a house? but to this end only, that incense may be burnt before him.
7Send me therefore a skilful man, that knoweth how to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, and in iron, in purple, in scarlet and in blue, and that hath skill in engraving, with the artificers, which I have with me in Judea and Jerusalem, whom David my father provided.
8Send me also cedars, and fir trees, and pine trees from Libanus: for I know that thy servants are skilful in cutting timber in Libanus, and my servants shall be with thy servants,
9To provide me timber in abundance. For the house which I desire to build, is to be exceeding great, and glorious.
Verse in Context
Scholars' Consensus
Commentators agree that Solomon's opening appeal to Huram king of Tyre is a diplomatic gesture rooted in the earlier friendship between David and Tyre (II Samuel 5:11; I Chronicles 14:1). The Chronicler expands the parallel account in 1 Kings 5, adding a theological confession that defines everything Solomon does. Barnes notes that Solomon's words, "our God is greater than all gods", are surprisingly direct for a pagan king, yet Huram's response (v.11-12) shows he acknowledged Yahweh, perhaps identifying him with his own deity Melkarth. Keil & Delitzsch observe that the Chronicler emphasizes the temple's purpose for worship rather than the political reasons given in Kings: Solomon states clearly that the temple exists for burning incense, offering bread and sacrifices before Yahweh, who cannot be contained by heaven itself.
Clarke and the Targum focus on the phrase "heaven of heavens cannot contain him," drawing out God's absolute transcendence. Wesley and Matthew Henry also stress Solomon's humility: he does not build to confine God but to provide a place for prescribed worship. The genealogical detail, Solomon requests a "cunning man" (v.7) and timber from Lebanon (v.8), is seen by Jamieson-Fausset-Brown as fitting the ancient Near Eastern pattern of a major king contracting a client king for skilled labor and materials. Across traditions, the passage shows a wise king who remembers the past, plans carefully, and bows before the greatness of the God he serves.
How settled is the interpretation?
Interpretive difficulty: Medium
Main views:
- Historic continuity reading: Solomon genuinely appeals to David's treaty with Tyre; the Chronicler preserves an accurate diplomatic letter. Supported by II Sam 5:11 and the parallel in I Kings 5.
- Theological emphasis reading: The Chronicler rewrites history to highlight worship and God's transcendence, expanding the 1 Kings account. Verses 4-6, with their distinct theological language, are the Chronicler's own composition.
What is clear: All traditions agree that Solomon built the temple as a place for lawful worship, fully aware that God cannot be confined to any building.
What Scholars Agree and Debate
| Topic | Agreed | Debated |
|---|---|---|
| Relationship between David and Huram | Solomon consciously builds on an existing alliance, honoring his father's legacy. | The Chronicler may be more concerned with showing continuity than 1 Kings; some scholars see this as a literary device rather than exact historical record keeping. |
| Huram's religious acknowledgment | Huram responds positively and blesses Yahweh (v.11-12). | Whether he actually worshiped Yahweh alone or identified Him with the Tyrian Melkarth. Barnes suggests the latter; the text does not resolve this. |
| Purpose of the temple | The temple is for worship according to the Law: incense, showbread, burnt offerings. | Some traditions (e.g., Matthew Henry) emphasize the temple as a place of God's special presence; others (Clarke, Barnes) stress that it is solely for human need, since God cannot be contained. |
Historical & Cultural Context
Solomon's letter to Huram (also Hiram) of Tyre fits squarely within the diplomatic conventions of the tenth century BC. Tyre was a wealthy Phoenician city-state, famous for its timber, purple dyes, and skilled artisans. Its king, Hiram I (reigned c. 969, 936 BC), had a long-standing alliance with David (II Samuel 5:11). Solomon uses this history as his starting point: he does not approach as a stranger but as a son continuing his father's relationship.
The Chronicler's version of the correspondence is notably fuller than the parallel in 1 Kings 5. In Kings, Solomon's request focuses on timber for the temple and mentions David's wars as the reason David did not build. Here, Solomon emphasizes the temple's liturgical purpose: it will be a house "for the name of Yahweh" (v.4), dedicated with incense, showbread, and burnt offerings according to the perpetual ordinances of Israel (Exodus 25:30; 29:38-42; 30:7). This reflects the Chronicler's deep interest in proper worship and the continuity of the Mosaic order.
Huram's response (v.11-12) suggests that the Tyrian court was familiar with Israel's God, though likely identifying him with their own high god Melkarth, as Barnes notes. The alliance was mutually beneficial: Solomon received cedar, cypress, and algum wood (probably sandalwood), while Tyre received massive shipments of wheat, barley, wine, and oil (v.10, 15). The timber was floated down the coast from Lebanon to Joppa, then hauled overland to Jerusalem. This passage shows the temple as a project that involved international cooperation, skilled craftsmanship, and enormous resources, all rooted in a humble recognition that the God Israel served cannot be enclosed in any building.
Textual Notes
The consulted sources note no significant textual variants for II Chronicles 2:3-9. The name "Huram" appears in Chronicles while "Hiram" appears in Kings; this is a slight orthographic variation common in Hebrew (a yod and vav interchange, as Clarke observes). The passage is well preserved across manuscript traditions.
Reception History
Jewish tradition, especially the Targum cited by Clarke, amplified Solomon's humility: the "heaven of heavens" cannot contain God, who sustains all by His Spirit. This verse (v.6) became a touchstone for later discussions of God's transcendence and the impossibility of building a house worthy of Him. Christian commentators from the patristic period onward read this as a preview of the new temple in Christ, the body of believers. John Calvin referenced Solomon's humility to argue that all true worship begins with acknowledging human limitation. In the Wesleyan tradition, the passage has been used to teach the importance of order and liturgy: Solomon's attention to incense, bread, and feasts shows that worship is not spontaneous but covenanted. Modern readings often focus on the Chronicler's theology of divine presence, comparing this temple with the tabernacle and the church as the dwelling place of God through the Spirit.
Preaching This Verse
Three-Point Outline
- Honoring the past while building the future. Solomon begins by honoring the relationship David established with Tyre. Grace builds on the work of those who came before us. He does not start from scratch but asks to be treated the same way.
- Great God, humble builder. Solomon's prayer is bracketed by awe: the temple is great because God is great, yet heaven itself cannot contain Him. True worship begins with knowing who God is and who we are.
- Worship is the purpose of the work. Every detail, incense, showbread, offerings, points to the temple's real function: to be a place where God's people meet Him through prescribed worship. The building is not an end; it serves devotion.
Five-Point Outline
- A diplomatic opening built on covenant memory. (v.3)
- A vision for a house dedicated to God's name. (v.4)
- A confession of divine greatness and human limits. (vv.5-6)
- A request for skill and resources to serve that vision. (vv.7-8)
- An abundance prepared because the task is "great and wonderful." (v.9)
Illustration Hooks
- A family business that keeps the founder's handshake with a supplier decades later, Solomon builds on David's alliance with Huram.
- Planning a wedding: the venue, the catering, the guest list. But the real point is the covenant commitment. Solomon plans every detail, but keeps saying "it's all for worship."
- A child building a sandcastle: the ocean can't be contained, but the castle marks a place of delight. Solomon knows God cannot be boxed in, yet builds a house for His name.
Questions Your Congregation Is Asking
- Why does the Chronicler give us so many details about the temple when it was destroyed centuries ago?
- How do we balance careful planning for worship with the awareness that God is bigger than our buildings and liturgies?
- Can we partner with people who don't share our faith (like Huram did) without compromising the message?
Leading a Discussion
This passage shows Solomon at work: he writes a diplomatic letter, confesses profound theology, and makes practical requests. As you discuss it, notice how the king's humility and his grand vision are woven together. The temple is both a huge construction project and a place of intimate worship. How does that shape our own planning for church life?
Discussion Questions
- Read II Chronicles 2:3-9 aloud. What strikes you first about Solomon's tone in this letter?
- Why does he begin by mentioning David's relationship with Huram? (See also II Samuel 5:11)
- Verse 4 lists several worship activities. Why does Solomon take time to list them for a pagan king?
- What does Solomon mean when he says heaven cannot contain God (v.6)? How does that affect his attitude toward building the temple?
- The phrase "save only to burn sacrifice before him" (v.6, KJV) could sound dismissive. How does Barnes explain this? What is the real reason for building?
- Looking at verses 7-9: what does Solomon ask for, and why are these specific requests important for the temple's purpose?
- How can we apply Solomon's balance of grand vision and personal humility in our own faith communities today?
Cross-References
Source: Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (TSK, public domain)
| II Samuel 5:11 | Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, with cedar trees, carpenters, and masons; and they built David a house. |
| I Kings 5:1 | Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon, for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the place of his father, and Hiram had always loved David. |
| I Kings 5:11 | Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand cors of wheat for food to his household, and twenty cors of pure oil. Solomon gave this to Hiram year by year. |
| I Chronicles 14:1 | Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David with cedar trees, masons, and carpenters, to build him a house. |
| Exodus 25:30 | You shall set bread of the presence on the table before me always. |
| Exodus 29:38 | “Now this is that which you shall offer on the altar: two lambs a year old day by day continually. |
| Exodus 29:42 | It shall be a continual burnt offering throughout your generations at the door of the Tent of Meeting before Yahweh, where I will meet with you, to speak there to you. |
| Exodus 30:7 | Aaron shall burn incense of sweet spices on it every morning. When he tends the lamps, he shall burn it. |
Cross-reference data from OpenBible.info (CC BY 4.0). Commentaries are public domain.
For personal reflection
Read the devotional page — prayer, application, and "for families"
What the Commentators Say
7 public-domain commentaries, condensed into plain language.
Adam Clarke's Commentary Methodist/Wesleyan 1826
Clarke highlights the Targum's expansion of Solomon's prayer: even the highest heavens cannot contain God, who sustains all things by His Word. The temple was built not in hope of containing Him, but solely for offering incense and sacrifice. He also notes the slight spelling variation in Huram's name between Kings and Chronicles.
Barnes' Notes on the Bible Protestant 1832
Barnes reads Solomon's reason for building the temple as purely human need, not divine necessity. He emphasizes that God cannot be confined to any building, so the temple exists only because worship and the commanded sacrifices must take place somewhere local.
Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges Anglican 1880
The Cambridge Bible notes that Chronicles gives a much fuller version of Solomon's message to Huram than 1 Kings does. The Chronicler includes Solomon's language about the Temple's purpose and adds requests for a skilled craftsman and provisions that have no parallel in the earlier account.
Gill's Exposition of the Bible Baptist 1748
Gill highlights Solomon's careful distinction: he does not intend to contain God, whom the heavens cannot hold, but builds a house for worship and sacrifice before Him. Solomon’s humility is clear in asking who he is to build such a house, yet he insists it must be great because their God surpasses all gods.
Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Commentary Protestant 1871
JFB highlights Solomon's two grounds for seeking Tyrian aid: the temple must be permanent because worship is perpetual, and magnificent because God is greater than all gods. He stresses Solomon's humble disclaimer that no house can contain God, but this temple is for worshippers to honor Him. Also, Solomon requested a master craftsman, not ordinary laborers.
Matthew Henry's Commentary Reformed/Presbyterian 1710
Henry notes that while Solomon planned a magnificent temple to honor God's greatness, he never forgot that no building could contain the Creator of heaven itself. The king's humility shines through: he saw the temple as a place for sacrifice, not as a house for the God who fills all things.
Wesley's Explanatory Notes Methodist/Wesleyan 1754
Wesley notes that the temple building itself was quite small, while the surrounding structures were large and numerous. He warns against thinking any house can contain the infinite God; the temple's purpose is simply to worship Him in the place where He is graciously present.