2 Chronicles 2:3-9 Meaning: Starting with What God Has Done
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Meaning in one sentence
Solomon asks King Huram for help building the temple, first recalling Huram's kindness to David and then confessing that no house can contain God.
Context
The Chronicler wrote this account after the exile, when the temple lay in ruins and the people needed to remember why it mattered. Solomon has just decided to build a house for the Lord and a palace for himself. Now he sends a letter to Huram, the king of Tyre, a foreign ruler who had been a friend to his father David. The Chronicler expands the story we find in 1 Kings 5, adding Solomon’s own words about the meaning of the temple. This is not just a business request. Solomon begins by acknowledging the relationship Huram had with David, then explains the purpose of the temple, not to keep God in, but for the people to worship Him. Even before Huram answers, the letter shows us Solomon’s heart: humbled by God’s greatness, yet eager to build something worthy of His name.
Key Words
Three words stand out in Solomon’s letter. First, he calls the temple “great” (verse 5). He does not mean it is the largest building ever made. He means its purpose is magnificent because the God it honors is greater than all gods. The word carries weight, something worthy of awe. Second, “contain” (verse 6). Solomon says even the highest heavens cannot contain God. The Hebrew mind used this word to speak of holding or confining. No structure can box in the Creator. That is not failure; it is a reminder of who we are dealing with. Third, Solomon asks for “a man cunning to work” (verse 7). “Cunning” here means skillful, wise, gifted for the task. It is the same word used of Bezalel, the craftsman of the tabernacle. God’s work requires God-given ability, not just effort.
How Christians Read This Verse
Christians across traditions have found different layers in this passage. Jewish readers in the Targum emphasized Solomon’s recognition that God sustains all things and cannot be housed. Protestant commentators like Matthew Henry and Barnes point out that the temple was built for the people, not for God, He does not need a house. The Roman Catholic tradition has seen here a validation of dedicated sacred spaces for worship, while still affirming that God is not limited by them. Eastern Orthodox readers have noted the liturgical detail: incense, showbread, and feasts were foretastes of the heavenly worship. Across all traditions, there is agreement: the temple points to a God who is both beyond our reach and willing to meet us in a place of His choosing.
A common misunderstanding
Some read Solomon’s words about the temple being “great” as boasting. He sounds proud of the project he is planning. But the very next sentence stops that thought: “Who is able to build him a house?” Solomon knows the temple is tiny next to God. He calls it great only because the God it serves is great. In fact, the whole letter is filled with humility. He asks for a skilled worker because he knows he cannot do it alone. He starts by thanking Huram for what was done before. Solomon is not showing off; he is showing awe.
Living This Out
When you start a big task this week, a project at work, a hard conversation, even a personal goal, how do you begin? Solomon started by remembering what God had already done through others and by confessing that God was bigger than the temple he was about to build. Before you dive in, pause. Name one way God has been faithful to you in the past. Then say quietly: “You are greater than this. I am building for You, not for me.” It changes everything.
Main takeaway: The temple was great not because of its size, but because the God it honored is greater than anything we can build.
For Families
For ages 5, 8
Solomon was building a church for God. He knew God is so big that even the sky cannot hold Him. But God let His people build a special place to say thank You to Him.
For ages 9, 12
Solomon asked a king named Huram for wood and a skilled builder. But before he asked, he remembered how Huram helped his father David. That showed he was humble and grateful. When you start a big project, it is good to remember who helped you before and to thank God for being greater than anything you can make.
Questions People Ask
Why does Solomon say God is 'greater than all gods' in verse 5? Does he believe other gods are real?
No. This is a common way in the Old Testament to say God is supreme above every supposed deity. The same language appears in Exodus 18:11 and Deuteronomy 10:17. Solomon is using a contrast his readers would understand: every other so-called god is nothing next to the Lord of Israel.
What is 'showbread' (verse 4)?
Showbread, also called the bread of the Presence, was twelve loaves of bread placed every week on a special table in the temple. It was a constant offering to God, reminding Israel that He provides for them. The instruction for it comes from Exodus 25:30.
If heaven cannot contain God, why build a temple at all?
As many commentators note, the temple was not for God’s sake but for the people’s sake. God cannot be confined, but He graciously chooses to meet His people in a designated place of worship. Solomon himself says the temple is only 'to burn sacrifice before him', for human worship, not to hold God.
What are 'algum trees' in verse 8?
Algum (or almug) trees are mentioned in 1 Kings 10:11 as a valuable imported wood, likely red sandalwood from somewhere outside Lebanon, perhaps India or Africa. It was prized for its beauty and durability, used in the temple and for musical instruments.
How does this account differ from the one in 1 Kings 5?
The 1 Kings version is shorter and focuses on the logistics of wood. The Chronicler expands Solomon’s message to include his theological reason for the temple (verses 4-6) and his request for a skilled craftsman (verse 7). The Chronicler shows Solomon’s humility and the temple’s worship purpose more clearly.
For pastors & researchers
Hebrew interlinear, 8 commentaries & word study