2 Chronicles 2 📓 Prepare the Way

1And Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.

 2And Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them.

 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.

 10And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.

 11Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, Because the LORD hath loved his people, he hath made thee king over them.

 12Huram said moreover, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise son, endued with prudence and understanding, that might build an house for the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.

 13And now I have sent a cunning man, endued with understanding, of Huram my father's,

 14The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre, skilful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson; also to grave any manner of graving, and to find out every device which shall be put to him, with thy cunning men, and with the cunning men of my lord David thy father.

 15Now therefore the wheat, and the barley, the oil, and the wine, which my lord hath spoken of, let him send unto his servants:

 16And we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as thou shalt need: and we will bring it to thee in floats by sea to Joppa; and thou shalt carry it up to Jerusalem.

 17And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Israel, after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them; and they were found an hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred.

 18And he set threescore and ten thousand of them to be bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand to be hewers in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work.

COMMENTARY by Dave Burnette

Written By: God through Inspiration

Penned By: Ezra

Date Penned: (430 BC)

Overview: The Glory of Solomon's Kingdom and the Temple (c. 1-9)

Theme: Solomon's Wisdom and Preparation for the Temple (c. 1-2)

Message: Preparing to Build a House for the Lord (v. 1-18)

2 Chronicles 2 Commentary

(2:1-2) God's Work Requires Careful Preparation - Solomon determined to build the temple and immediately organized workers, supervisors, and resources for the task. Great works for God rarely happen by accident. Prayer, planning, organization, and faithful preparation work together as God accomplishes His purposes through His people.

(2:3-10) Excellence Honors God - Solomon sought the finest craftsmen and the best materials because the temple was being built "for the name of the LORD." He understood that God's house deserved excellence, not mediocrity. While God is concerned primarily with the heart, believers should always strive to offer Him their very best in every area of service.

(2:5-6) God's Greatness Cannot Be Contained - Solomon declared, "The house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods," yet he also acknowledged that "the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him." Solomon understood that the temple would not contain God but would serve as a place where His people could worship Him. Today, God is not confined to buildings but dwells within every believer through the Holy Spirit.

(2:7-9) God Uses Skilled People - Solomon requested craftsmen who were gifted in working with gold, silver, brass, wood, stone, fabrics, and engraving. Scripture recognizes that practical skills and artistic abilities are gifts from God. Whether serving through craftsmanship, teaching, music, leadership, or encouragement, every God-given talent can be used to glorify Him.

(2:10-16) God Can Use Unbelievers to Accomplish His Purposes - Huram, king of Tyre, willingly assisted Solomon and even acknowledged the greatness of the God of Israel. Throughout Scripture, God often uses people outside His covenant nation to accomplish His divine purposes. The Lord remains sovereign over all nations and all people, directing events according to His perfect plan.

(2:11-12) Godly Leadership Is a Blessing to Others - Huram recognized that Solomon's wisdom was evidence of God's love for His people. Wise, humble, and faithful leadership benefits everyone under its influence. Whether leading a family, church, business, or ministry, godly leaders become instruments of God's blessing to those they serve.

(2:13-14) Every Gift Has a Purpose - Huram sent a master craftsman with exceptional abilities in many different trades. His varied skills were all valuable in building the temple. God has designed every believer with unique abilities and spiritual gifts to strengthen His church. No gift is insignificant when it is surrendered to the Lord.

(2:17-18) Every Worker Contributes to God's Kingdom - Solomon assigned thousands of laborers, stonecutters, carriers, and supervisors. Not everyone would shape gold or carve beautiful wood; many would simply carry heavy loads. Yet every worker contributed to the completion of God's house. In Christ's church, every faithful servant has an important role, whether seen publicly or quietly serving behind the scenes.

(2:1-18) Building for God's Glory Requires Unity - The temple project succeeded because kings, craftsmen, laborers, overseers, and suppliers worked together toward one purpose—the glory of God. The work of Christ today likewise advances when believers unite their different gifts and abilities in humble cooperation, remembering that every contribution is valuable when offered for His name.

(2:5-18) Worship Is Greater Than the Building - Although Solomon built one of the most magnificent structures in history, he never confused the temple with God Himself. The building existed to direct people's hearts toward the Lord. Churches, ministries, and buildings remain valuable tools, but their highest purpose is always to point people to worship the living God rather than the structure itself.

LIFE APPLICATION by Dave Burnette

Each day we walk through the Bible chapter by chapter making an application of our text to help us grow in the Lord. Many applications can be made from each day's text. Today we Continue in the book of 2 Chronicles with Chapter 2 and we see Solomon beginning to build the temple and in this this text we see the plans of the Construction. In preparation Solomon had the advantage of David preparing the way as he bought the land and gathered most of the materials. As we learned - God would not allow David to build due to his transgressions but he was allowed to prepare the way and as a result Solomon had a tremendous advantage to accomplish this task. In making application we see that we can work together in the Church to accomplish the will of God. If everyone in the Church examples the life of David then we will see the body reach many souls with the Gospel. How about you? Do you love the Lord and in doing so help prepare the way for the Church to succeed? Let us learn from David's example and Solomon's efforts of success to prepare the way for the advancement of the Gospel.