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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.
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 en...
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).
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).
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.
exodus 3:13-15
exodus 31:1-5
2 samuel 7:4-17
2 samuel 7:12-13
1 kings 9:20-23
1 kings 10:11
2 chronicles 2:3
2 chronicles 3:2
God’s Name on His Temple
God’s Name on His Temple In his prayer of dedication, Solomon declared that the Temple was the house where God’s name would be present (2 Chr 6:20; cp. 6:5-6). God had promised David that he would place his own name on the Temple in Jerusalem (2 Sam 7:4-17). When God puts his name in a place, it signifies his possession of it. For the people of Israel, the Temple embodied the land God promised to them and marked by his name. It was the ultimate symbol of God’s relationship with Israel. So Solomon prayed that God would remember his relationship with Israel and hear their prayers at this Temple. Solomon’s prayer uses God’s personal name (Lord=Yahweh; see Exod 3:13-15) to make the Temple the definitive symbol of Israel’s faith. The Temple was the chosen place where the covenant was preserved, where the people of Israel called on God’s name and acknowledged God in confession and praise. The fulfillment of God’s promise to put his name on his Temple is now to be found in the “living temple,” the community of God’s people. Peter urges believers to come “to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor....