2 Chronicles 26
KingComments2 Chronicles 26:1
The LORD Appears to Solomon
In these verses the LORD gives an audible answer to Solomon. Solomon asked in the previous chapter: “Now, O my God, I pray, let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to the prayer [offered] in this place” (2 Chronicles 6:40). Now the LORD answers: “Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer [offered] in this place” (2 Chronicles 7:15). That He gives this answer means that Solomon’s prayer is a prayer according to His will. The LORD has given all the instructions and Solomon has done nothing but execute them. Yet He presents it here as if everything is the answer to Solomon’s prayer. This shows that God wants to be prayed to. He would like to give what He has in His heart, on the basis of prayer.
The LORD appears in the night to Solomon (2 Chronicles 7:12), not in a dream, but visible and real. It is a second apparition (1 Kings 9:2), after the first apparition at Gibeon (2 Chronicles 1:3; 7). It happens at night, when the eye is not distracted by other things. He tells Solomon that He heard his prayer and chose the place of the house “as a house of sacrifice”. This reflects the beautiful purpose of the house. Sacrificing means to offer. We may offer our prayers, but also our worship to God in the meetings of the church, now the house of God. He chose that house for that purpose.
The LORD repeats that His discipline must strike His people when they deviate from him. He mentions some of these means of punishment (2 Chronicles 7:13). He uses those means to bring His people to repentance, what will be evident from their confession. This answer is about restoration after sin and confession. There can never be restoration from blessing apart from the conditions He mentions (2 Chronicles 7:14). When these conditions are met, blessing comes again from heaven.
There follows a wonderful impression of God’s feelings for this house, His house (2 Chronicles 7:15-16). God speaks of His eyes, His ears and His heart that go out to this house and of His Name that dwells there, and not just for a moment, but “forever”. Wouldn’t His house in this time, the church, also be worth all our attention and effort?
We see God’s counsel on the one hand (2 Chronicles 7:17-18) and God’s ways on the other (2 Chronicles 7:19-22). According to God’s counsel, there shall not lack a man of David’s descendants on the throne. In the ways of God, the line of the succession to the throne will be interrupted in case of unfaithfulness. Until God’s counsel is finally fulfilled in the great Son of David, the Lord Jesus.
We can apply the warning (2 Chronicles 7:19-22) to a local church. If a local church deviates from the Lord Jesus by ignoring His directions in His Word, He must remove the lampstand of testimony (Revelation 2:5). It begins when the leaders become unfaithful and bind people to themselves rather than to the Lord. Then a form of idolatry arises. An idol is anything that takes the place of the Lord Jesus, that displaces Him from the first and only place in the church. Then He goes away, because He does not impose Himself. The result is that the lampstand is removed from a local church. The light is extinguished. In the end, there is nothing more to see of Christ.
The deeper cause is that “they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers who brought them from the land of Egypt” (2 Chronicles 7:22). If we forget that the Lord Jesus “gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age” (Galatians 1:4) to live for Him, other things will fill our lives and our testimony will be lost. If the Lord then disciplines us by bringing evil upon us, that is His love. He wants to bring us back to His heart and in the enjoyment of the blessing.
2 Chronicles 26:2
The LORD Appears to Solomon
In these verses the LORD gives an audible answer to Solomon. Solomon asked in the previous chapter: “Now, O my God, I pray, let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to the prayer [offered] in this place” (2 Chronicles 6:40). Now the LORD answers: “Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer [offered] in this place” (2 Chronicles 7:15). That He gives this answer means that Solomon’s prayer is a prayer according to His will. The LORD has given all the instructions and Solomon has done nothing but execute them. Yet He presents it here as if everything is the answer to Solomon’s prayer. This shows that God wants to be prayed to. He would like to give what He has in His heart, on the basis of prayer.
The LORD appears in the night to Solomon (2 Chronicles 7:12), not in a dream, but visible and real. It is a second apparition (1 Kings 9:2), after the first apparition at Gibeon (2 Chronicles 1:3; 7). It happens at night, when the eye is not distracted by other things. He tells Solomon that He heard his prayer and chose the place of the house “as a house of sacrifice”. This reflects the beautiful purpose of the house. Sacrificing means to offer. We may offer our prayers, but also our worship to God in the meetings of the church, now the house of God. He chose that house for that purpose.
The LORD repeats that His discipline must strike His people when they deviate from him. He mentions some of these means of punishment (2 Chronicles 7:13). He uses those means to bring His people to repentance, what will be evident from their confession. This answer is about restoration after sin and confession. There can never be restoration from blessing apart from the conditions He mentions (2 Chronicles 7:14). When these conditions are met, blessing comes again from heaven.
There follows a wonderful impression of God’s feelings for this house, His house (2 Chronicles 7:15-16). God speaks of His eyes, His ears and His heart that go out to this house and of His Name that dwells there, and not just for a moment, but “forever”. Wouldn’t His house in this time, the church, also be worth all our attention and effort?
We see God’s counsel on the one hand (2 Chronicles 7:17-18) and God’s ways on the other (2 Chronicles 7:19-22). According to God’s counsel, there shall not lack a man of David’s descendants on the throne. In the ways of God, the line of the succession to the throne will be interrupted in case of unfaithfulness. Until God’s counsel is finally fulfilled in the great Son of David, the Lord Jesus.
We can apply the warning (2 Chronicles 7:19-22) to a local church. If a local church deviates from the Lord Jesus by ignoring His directions in His Word, He must remove the lampstand of testimony (Revelation 2:5). It begins when the leaders become unfaithful and bind people to themselves rather than to the Lord. Then a form of idolatry arises. An idol is anything that takes the place of the Lord Jesus, that displaces Him from the first and only place in the church. Then He goes away, because He does not impose Himself. The result is that the lampstand is removed from a local church. The light is extinguished. In the end, there is nothing more to see of Christ.
The deeper cause is that “they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers who brought them from the land of Egypt” (2 Chronicles 7:22). If we forget that the Lord Jesus “gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age” (Galatians 1:4) to live for Him, other things will fill our lives and our testimony will be lost. If the Lord then disciplines us by bringing evil upon us, that is His love. He wants to bring us back to His heart and in the enjoyment of the blessing.
2 Chronicles 26:3
The LORD Appears to Solomon
In these verses the LORD gives an audible answer to Solomon. Solomon asked in the previous chapter: “Now, O my God, I pray, let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to the prayer [offered] in this place” (2 Chronicles 6:40). Now the LORD answers: “Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer [offered] in this place” (2 Chronicles 7:15). That He gives this answer means that Solomon’s prayer is a prayer according to His will. The LORD has given all the instructions and Solomon has done nothing but execute them. Yet He presents it here as if everything is the answer to Solomon’s prayer. This shows that God wants to be prayed to. He would like to give what He has in His heart, on the basis of prayer.
The LORD appears in the night to Solomon (2 Chronicles 7:12), not in a dream, but visible and real. It is a second apparition (1 Kings 9:2), after the first apparition at Gibeon (2 Chronicles 1:3; 7). It happens at night, when the eye is not distracted by other things. He tells Solomon that He heard his prayer and chose the place of the house “as a house of sacrifice”. This reflects the beautiful purpose of the house. Sacrificing means to offer. We may offer our prayers, but also our worship to God in the meetings of the church, now the house of God. He chose that house for that purpose.
The LORD repeats that His discipline must strike His people when they deviate from him. He mentions some of these means of punishment (2 Chronicles 7:13). He uses those means to bring His people to repentance, what will be evident from their confession. This answer is about restoration after sin and confession. There can never be restoration from blessing apart from the conditions He mentions (2 Chronicles 7:14). When these conditions are met, blessing comes again from heaven.
There follows a wonderful impression of God’s feelings for this house, His house (2 Chronicles 7:15-16). God speaks of His eyes, His ears and His heart that go out to this house and of His Name that dwells there, and not just for a moment, but “forever”. Wouldn’t His house in this time, the church, also be worth all our attention and effort?
We see God’s counsel on the one hand (2 Chronicles 7:17-18) and God’s ways on the other (2 Chronicles 7:19-22). According to God’s counsel, there shall not lack a man of David’s descendants on the throne. In the ways of God, the line of the succession to the throne will be interrupted in case of unfaithfulness. Until God’s counsel is finally fulfilled in the great Son of David, the Lord Jesus.
We can apply the warning (2 Chronicles 7:19-22) to a local church. If a local church deviates from the Lord Jesus by ignoring His directions in His Word, He must remove the lampstand of testimony (Revelation 2:5). It begins when the leaders become unfaithful and bind people to themselves rather than to the Lord. Then a form of idolatry arises. An idol is anything that takes the place of the Lord Jesus, that displaces Him from the first and only place in the church. Then He goes away, because He does not impose Himself. The result is that the lampstand is removed from a local church. The light is extinguished. In the end, there is nothing more to see of Christ.
The deeper cause is that “they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers who brought them from the land of Egypt” (2 Chronicles 7:22). If we forget that the Lord Jesus “gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age” (Galatians 1:4) to live for Him, other things will fill our lives and our testimony will be lost. If the Lord then disciplines us by bringing evil upon us, that is His love. He wants to bring us back to His heart and in the enjoyment of the blessing.
2 Chronicles 26:4
The LORD Appears to Solomon
In these verses the LORD gives an audible answer to Solomon. Solomon asked in the previous chapter: “Now, O my God, I pray, let Your eyes be open and Your ears attentive to the prayer [offered] in this place” (2 Chronicles 6:40). Now the LORD answers: “Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to the prayer [offered] in this place” (2 Chronicles 7:15). That He gives this answer means that Solomon’s prayer is a prayer according to His will. The LORD has given all the instructions and Solomon has done nothing but execute them. Yet He presents it here as if everything is the answer to Solomon’s prayer. This shows that God wants to be prayed to. He would like to give what He has in His heart, on the basis of prayer.
The LORD appears in the night to Solomon (2 Chronicles 7:12), not in a dream, but visible and real. It is a second apparition (1 Kings 9:2), after the first apparition at Gibeon (2 Chronicles 1:3; 7). It happens at night, when the eye is not distracted by other things. He tells Solomon that He heard his prayer and chose the place of the house “as a house of sacrifice”. This reflects the beautiful purpose of the house. Sacrificing means to offer. We may offer our prayers, but also our worship to God in the meetings of the church, now the house of God. He chose that house for that purpose.
The LORD repeats that His discipline must strike His people when they deviate from him. He mentions some of these means of punishment (2 Chronicles 7:13). He uses those means to bring His people to repentance, what will be evident from their confession. This answer is about restoration after sin and confession. There can never be restoration from blessing apart from the conditions He mentions (2 Chronicles 7:14). When these conditions are met, blessing comes again from heaven.
There follows a wonderful impression of God’s feelings for this house, His house (2 Chronicles 7:15-16). God speaks of His eyes, His ears and His heart that go out to this house and of His Name that dwells there, and not just for a moment, but “forever”. Wouldn’t His house in this time, the church, also be worth all our attention and effort?
We see God’s counsel on the one hand (2 Chronicles 7:17-18) and God’s ways on the other (2 Chronicles 7:19-22). According to God’s counsel, there shall not lack a man of David’s descendants on the throne. In the ways of God, the line of the succession to the throne will be interrupted in case of unfaithfulness. Until God’s counsel is finally fulfilled in the great Son of David, the Lord Jesus.
We can apply the warning (2 Chronicles 7:19-22) to a local church. If a local church deviates from the Lord Jesus by ignoring His directions in His Word, He must remove the lampstand of testimony (Revelation 2:5). It begins when the leaders become unfaithful and bind people to themselves rather than to the Lord. Then a form of idolatry arises. An idol is anything that takes the place of the Lord Jesus, that displaces Him from the first and only place in the church. Then He goes away, because He does not impose Himself. The result is that the lampstand is removed from a local church. The light is extinguished. In the end, there is nothing more to see of Christ.
The deeper cause is that “they forsook the LORD, the God of their fathers who brought them from the land of Egypt” (2 Chronicles 7:22). If we forget that the Lord Jesus “gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from this present evil age” (Galatians 1:4) to live for Him, other things will fill our lives and our testimony will be lost. If the Lord then disciplines us by bringing evil upon us, that is His love. He wants to bring us back to His heart and in the enjoyment of the blessing.
2 Chronicles 26:6
Introduction
In 2 Chronicles 8-9 we see the relations between Solomon and the Gentiles. In 2 Chronicles 8 we see 1. which cities Solomon builds and fortifies (2 Chronicles 8:1-6), 2. which workmen he uses (2 Chronicles 8:7-10), 3. what provisions he makes for his Egyptian wife (2 Chronicles 8:11), 4. how he upholds the temple service as it is arranged by Moses and his father David (2 Chronicles 8:12-16) and 5. his trade with the nations (2 Chronicles 8:17-18).
In Psalms 72 we read a prayer for the king and his son. In that psalm the rule of Solomon is described. With Psalms 72, the second book of Psalms (Psalms 42-72) closes. In Isaiah 60 we read a description of the glory of the coming kingdom of peace, where the power of the nations is brought to Him. Both sections can be connected to 2 Chronicles 8.
Solomon’s Building
Solomon reigned for forty years. Concerning the building of the house of the LORD he took seven years (1 Kings 6:38) and concerning his own house thirteen years (1 Kings 7:1), that is twenty years together (2 Chronicles 8:1). Solomon is a builder. He builds the house of the LORD and his own house (2 Chronicles 8:1); he builds the cities which Huram gave him (2 Chronicles 8:2); he builds Tadmor and builds in Hamath (2 Chronicles 8:4); he builds upper Beth-horon and lower Beth-horon and he fortifies cities (2 Chronicles 8:5); he builds all that pleases him (2 Chronicles 8:6).
We are also builders. The only question is whether we are good builders or bad builders. We must build on the foundation, “which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:10-11). It is also important that we build with good material, that is to say that we bring the biblical doctrine that is really for building up the church and that we live as the Bible tells us. If we learn wrong things or if we allow sins in our lives, we do not build up the church, but we break it down.
Solomon started building these houses in the fourth year of his reign (2 Chronicles 3:2). This means that more than the first half of his reign is over and the second part of his reign has begun. We are then in the year 946 BC. In this second part of his reign the decline begins. This can be read in 1 Kings, because there the kingship is described from the point of view of the responsibility of the king. In 2 Chronicles it is about God’s counsel. Here the reign of Solomon ends with a painting of the glory as the Lord Jesus will possess it in the kingdom of peace.
Solomon is a man of great learning, but he does not spend his time only studying. He is also active. His scholarship leads him to act wisely. Here he is working on fortifying his land. Building and fortifying in a time of peace is necessary because the enemy is always lurking.
We must protect ourselves against savage wolves who will come in among us, not sparing the flock (Acts 20:29), against people who cause dissensions and occasions of stumbling (Romans 16:17), against sectarian people (Titus 3:10-11), against false brethren (Galatians 2:4-5), against false teachers (2 Peter 2:1), against people who like Diotrephes want to be the first (3 John 1:9).
2 Chronicles 26:7
Introduction
In 2 Chronicles 8-9 we see the relations between Solomon and the Gentiles. In 2 Chronicles 8 we see 1. which cities Solomon builds and fortifies (2 Chronicles 8:1-6), 2. which workmen he uses (2 Chronicles 8:7-10), 3. what provisions he makes for his Egyptian wife (2 Chronicles 8:11), 4. how he upholds the temple service as it is arranged by Moses and his father David (2 Chronicles 8:12-16) and 5. his trade with the nations (2 Chronicles 8:17-18).
In Psalms 72 we read a prayer for the king and his son. In that psalm the rule of Solomon is described. With Psalms 72, the second book of Psalms (Psalms 42-72) closes. In Isaiah 60 we read a description of the glory of the coming kingdom of peace, where the power of the nations is brought to Him. Both sections can be connected to 2 Chronicles 8.
Solomon’s Building
Solomon reigned for forty years. Concerning the building of the house of the LORD he took seven years (1 Kings 6:38) and concerning his own house thirteen years (1 Kings 7:1), that is twenty years together (2 Chronicles 8:1). Solomon is a builder. He builds the house of the LORD and his own house (2 Chronicles 8:1); he builds the cities which Huram gave him (2 Chronicles 8:2); he builds Tadmor and builds in Hamath (2 Chronicles 8:4); he builds upper Beth-horon and lower Beth-horon and he fortifies cities (2 Chronicles 8:5); he builds all that pleases him (2 Chronicles 8:6).
We are also builders. The only question is whether we are good builders or bad builders. We must build on the foundation, “which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:10-11). It is also important that we build with good material, that is to say that we bring the biblical doctrine that is really for building up the church and that we live as the Bible tells us. If we learn wrong things or if we allow sins in our lives, we do not build up the church, but we break it down.
Solomon started building these houses in the fourth year of his reign (2 Chronicles 3:2). This means that more than the first half of his reign is over and the second part of his reign has begun. We are then in the year 946 BC. In this second part of his reign the decline begins. This can be read in 1 Kings, because there the kingship is described from the point of view of the responsibility of the king. In 2 Chronicles it is about God’s counsel. Here the reign of Solomon ends with a painting of the glory as the Lord Jesus will possess it in the kingdom of peace.
Solomon is a man of great learning, but he does not spend his time only studying. He is also active. His scholarship leads him to act wisely. Here he is working on fortifying his land. Building and fortifying in a time of peace is necessary because the enemy is always lurking.
We must protect ourselves against savage wolves who will come in among us, not sparing the flock (Acts 20:29), against people who cause dissensions and occasions of stumbling (Romans 16:17), against sectarian people (Titus 3:10-11), against false brethren (Galatians 2:4-5), against false teachers (2 Peter 2:1), against people who like Diotrephes want to be the first (3 John 1:9).
2 Chronicles 26:8
Introduction
In 2 Chronicles 8-9 we see the relations between Solomon and the Gentiles. In 2 Chronicles 8 we see 1. which cities Solomon builds and fortifies (2 Chronicles 8:1-6), 2. which workmen he uses (2 Chronicles 8:7-10), 3. what provisions he makes for his Egyptian wife (2 Chronicles 8:11), 4. how he upholds the temple service as it is arranged by Moses and his father David (2 Chronicles 8:12-16) and 5. his trade with the nations (2 Chronicles 8:17-18).
In Psalms 72 we read a prayer for the king and his son. In that psalm the rule of Solomon is described. With Psalms 72, the second book of Psalms (Psalms 42-72) closes. In Isaiah 60 we read a description of the glory of the coming kingdom of peace, where the power of the nations is brought to Him. Both sections can be connected to 2 Chronicles 8.
Solomon’s Building
Solomon reigned for forty years. Concerning the building of the house of the LORD he took seven years (1 Kings 6:38) and concerning his own house thirteen years (1 Kings 7:1), that is twenty years together (2 Chronicles 8:1). Solomon is a builder. He builds the house of the LORD and his own house (2 Chronicles 8:1); he builds the cities which Huram gave him (2 Chronicles 8:2); he builds Tadmor and builds in Hamath (2 Chronicles 8:4); he builds upper Beth-horon and lower Beth-horon and he fortifies cities (2 Chronicles 8:5); he builds all that pleases him (2 Chronicles 8:6).
We are also builders. The only question is whether we are good builders or bad builders. We must build on the foundation, “which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:10-11). It is also important that we build with good material, that is to say that we bring the biblical doctrine that is really for building up the church and that we live as the Bible tells us. If we learn wrong things or if we allow sins in our lives, we do not build up the church, but we break it down.
Solomon started building these houses in the fourth year of his reign (2 Chronicles 3:2). This means that more than the first half of his reign is over and the second part of his reign has begun. We are then in the year 946 BC. In this second part of his reign the decline begins. This can be read in 1 Kings, because there the kingship is described from the point of view of the responsibility of the king. In 2 Chronicles it is about God’s counsel. Here the reign of Solomon ends with a painting of the glory as the Lord Jesus will possess it in the kingdom of peace.
Solomon is a man of great learning, but he does not spend his time only studying. He is also active. His scholarship leads him to act wisely. Here he is working on fortifying his land. Building and fortifying in a time of peace is necessary because the enemy is always lurking.
We must protect ourselves against savage wolves who will come in among us, not sparing the flock (Acts 20:29), against people who cause dissensions and occasions of stumbling (Romans 16:17), against sectarian people (Titus 3:10-11), against false brethren (Galatians 2:4-5), against false teachers (2 Peter 2:1), against people who like Diotrephes want to be the first (3 John 1:9).
2 Chronicles 26:9
Introduction
In 2 Chronicles 8-9 we see the relations between Solomon and the Gentiles. In 2 Chronicles 8 we see 1. which cities Solomon builds and fortifies (2 Chronicles 8:1-6), 2. which workmen he uses (2 Chronicles 8:7-10), 3. what provisions he makes for his Egyptian wife (2 Chronicles 8:11), 4. how he upholds the temple service as it is arranged by Moses and his father David (2 Chronicles 8:12-16) and 5. his trade with the nations (2 Chronicles 8:17-18).
In Psalms 72 we read a prayer for the king and his son. In that psalm the rule of Solomon is described. With Psalms 72, the second book of Psalms (Psalms 42-72) closes. In Isaiah 60 we read a description of the glory of the coming kingdom of peace, where the power of the nations is brought to Him. Both sections can be connected to 2 Chronicles 8.
Solomon’s Building
Solomon reigned for forty years. Concerning the building of the house of the LORD he took seven years (1 Kings 6:38) and concerning his own house thirteen years (1 Kings 7:1), that is twenty years together (2 Chronicles 8:1). Solomon is a builder. He builds the house of the LORD and his own house (2 Chronicles 8:1); he builds the cities which Huram gave him (2 Chronicles 8:2); he builds Tadmor and builds in Hamath (2 Chronicles 8:4); he builds upper Beth-horon and lower Beth-horon and he fortifies cities (2 Chronicles 8:5); he builds all that pleases him (2 Chronicles 8:6).
We are also builders. The only question is whether we are good builders or bad builders. We must build on the foundation, “which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:10-11). It is also important that we build with good material, that is to say that we bring the biblical doctrine that is really for building up the church and that we live as the Bible tells us. If we learn wrong things or if we allow sins in our lives, we do not build up the church, but we break it down.
Solomon started building these houses in the fourth year of his reign (2 Chronicles 3:2). This means that more than the first half of his reign is over and the second part of his reign has begun. We are then in the year 946 BC. In this second part of his reign the decline begins. This can be read in 1 Kings, because there the kingship is described from the point of view of the responsibility of the king. In 2 Chronicles it is about God’s counsel. Here the reign of Solomon ends with a painting of the glory as the Lord Jesus will possess it in the kingdom of peace.
Solomon is a man of great learning, but he does not spend his time only studying. He is also active. His scholarship leads him to act wisely. Here he is working on fortifying his land. Building and fortifying in a time of peace is necessary because the enemy is always lurking.
We must protect ourselves against savage wolves who will come in among us, not sparing the flock (Acts 20:29), against people who cause dissensions and occasions of stumbling (Romans 16:17), against sectarian people (Titus 3:10-11), against false brethren (Galatians 2:4-5), against false teachers (2 Peter 2:1), against people who like Diotrephes want to be the first (3 John 1:9).
2 Chronicles 26:10
Introduction
In 2 Chronicles 8-9 we see the relations between Solomon and the Gentiles. In 2 Chronicles 8 we see 1. which cities Solomon builds and fortifies (2 Chronicles 8:1-6), 2. which workmen he uses (2 Chronicles 8:7-10), 3. what provisions he makes for his Egyptian wife (2 Chronicles 8:11), 4. how he upholds the temple service as it is arranged by Moses and his father David (2 Chronicles 8:12-16) and 5. his trade with the nations (2 Chronicles 8:17-18).
In Psalms 72 we read a prayer for the king and his son. In that psalm the rule of Solomon is described. With Psalms 72, the second book of Psalms (Psalms 42-72) closes. In Isaiah 60 we read a description of the glory of the coming kingdom of peace, where the power of the nations is brought to Him. Both sections can be connected to 2 Chronicles 8.
Solomon’s Building
Solomon reigned for forty years. Concerning the building of the house of the LORD he took seven years (1 Kings 6:38) and concerning his own house thirteen years (1 Kings 7:1), that is twenty years together (2 Chronicles 8:1). Solomon is a builder. He builds the house of the LORD and his own house (2 Chronicles 8:1); he builds the cities which Huram gave him (2 Chronicles 8:2); he builds Tadmor and builds in Hamath (2 Chronicles 8:4); he builds upper Beth-horon and lower Beth-horon and he fortifies cities (2 Chronicles 8:5); he builds all that pleases him (2 Chronicles 8:6).
We are also builders. The only question is whether we are good builders or bad builders. We must build on the foundation, “which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:10-11). It is also important that we build with good material, that is to say that we bring the biblical doctrine that is really for building up the church and that we live as the Bible tells us. If we learn wrong things or if we allow sins in our lives, we do not build up the church, but we break it down.
Solomon started building these houses in the fourth year of his reign (2 Chronicles 3:2). This means that more than the first half of his reign is over and the second part of his reign has begun. We are then in the year 946 BC. In this second part of his reign the decline begins. This can be read in 1 Kings, because there the kingship is described from the point of view of the responsibility of the king. In 2 Chronicles it is about God’s counsel. Here the reign of Solomon ends with a painting of the glory as the Lord Jesus will possess it in the kingdom of peace.
Solomon is a man of great learning, but he does not spend his time only studying. He is also active. His scholarship leads him to act wisely. Here he is working on fortifying his land. Building and fortifying in a time of peace is necessary because the enemy is always lurking.
We must protect ourselves against savage wolves who will come in among us, not sparing the flock (Acts 20:29), against people who cause dissensions and occasions of stumbling (Romans 16:17), against sectarian people (Titus 3:10-11), against false brethren (Galatians 2:4-5), against false teachers (2 Peter 2:1), against people who like Diotrephes want to be the first (3 John 1:9).
2 Chronicles 26:11
Introduction
In 2 Chronicles 8-9 we see the relations between Solomon and the Gentiles. In 2 Chronicles 8 we see 1. which cities Solomon builds and fortifies (2 Chronicles 8:1-6), 2. which workmen he uses (2 Chronicles 8:7-10), 3. what provisions he makes for his Egyptian wife (2 Chronicles 8:11), 4. how he upholds the temple service as it is arranged by Moses and his father David (2 Chronicles 8:12-16) and 5. his trade with the nations (2 Chronicles 8:17-18).
In Psalms 72 we read a prayer for the king and his son. In that psalm the rule of Solomon is described. With Psalms 72, the second book of Psalms (Psalms 42-72) closes. In Isaiah 60 we read a description of the glory of the coming kingdom of peace, where the power of the nations is brought to Him. Both sections can be connected to 2 Chronicles 8.
Solomon’s Building
Solomon reigned for forty years. Concerning the building of the house of the LORD he took seven years (1 Kings 6:38) and concerning his own house thirteen years (1 Kings 7:1), that is twenty years together (2 Chronicles 8:1). Solomon is a builder. He builds the house of the LORD and his own house (2 Chronicles 8:1); he builds the cities which Huram gave him (2 Chronicles 8:2); he builds Tadmor and builds in Hamath (2 Chronicles 8:4); he builds upper Beth-horon and lower Beth-horon and he fortifies cities (2 Chronicles 8:5); he builds all that pleases him (2 Chronicles 8:6).
We are also builders. The only question is whether we are good builders or bad builders. We must build on the foundation, “which is Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 3:10-11). It is also important that we build with good material, that is to say that we bring the biblical doctrine that is really for building up the church and that we live as the Bible tells us. If we learn wrong things or if we allow sins in our lives, we do not build up the church, but we break it down.
Solomon started building these houses in the fourth year of his reign (2 Chronicles 3:2). This means that more than the first half of his reign is over and the second part of his reign has begun. We are then in the year 946 BC. In this second part of his reign the decline begins. This can be read in 1 Kings, because there the kingship is described from the point of view of the responsibility of the king. In 2 Chronicles it is about God’s counsel. Here the reign of Solomon ends with a painting of the glory as the Lord Jesus will possess it in the kingdom of peace.
Solomon is a man of great learning, but he does not spend his time only studying. He is also active. His scholarship leads him to act wisely. Here he is working on fortifying his land. Building and fortifying in a time of peace is necessary because the enemy is always lurking.
We must protect ourselves against savage wolves who will come in among us, not sparing the flock (Acts 20:29), against people who cause dissensions and occasions of stumbling (Romans 16:17), against sectarian people (Titus 3:10-11), against false brethren (Galatians 2:4-5), against false teachers (2 Peter 2:1), against people who like Diotrephes want to be the first (3 John 1:9).
2 Chronicles 26:12
The Workmen of Solomon
The power of Solomon is described both in the building of cities in the previous verses and in these verses in the enemies that become slaves. The Israelites are not slaves; they are the rulers and are given important posts. For all his buildings, Solomon needs a lot of people. They are taken from the remaining Canaanite peoples, who are explicitly said not to belong to Israel. That they are still alive is the result of Israel’s unfaithfulness to the LORD’s commandment to destroy them (Deuteronomy 7:1-6; Deuteronomy 20:16-18).
2 Chronicles 26:13
The Workmen of Solomon
The power of Solomon is described both in the building of cities in the previous verses and in these verses in the enemies that become slaves. The Israelites are not slaves; they are the rulers and are given important posts. For all his buildings, Solomon needs a lot of people. They are taken from the remaining Canaanite peoples, who are explicitly said not to belong to Israel. That they are still alive is the result of Israel’s unfaithfulness to the LORD’s commandment to destroy them (Deuteronomy 7:1-6; Deuteronomy 20:16-18).
2 Chronicles 26:14
The Workmen of Solomon
The power of Solomon is described both in the building of cities in the previous verses and in these verses in the enemies that become slaves. The Israelites are not slaves; they are the rulers and are given important posts. For all his buildings, Solomon needs a lot of people. They are taken from the remaining Canaanite peoples, who are explicitly said not to belong to Israel. That they are still alive is the result of Israel’s unfaithfulness to the LORD’s commandment to destroy them (Deuteronomy 7:1-6; Deuteronomy 20:16-18).
2 Chronicles 26:15
The Workmen of Solomon
The power of Solomon is described both in the building of cities in the previous verses and in these verses in the enemies that become slaves. The Israelites are not slaves; they are the rulers and are given important posts. For all his buildings, Solomon needs a lot of people. They are taken from the remaining Canaanite peoples, who are explicitly said not to belong to Israel. That they are still alive is the result of Israel’s unfaithfulness to the LORD’s commandment to destroy them (Deuteronomy 7:1-6; Deuteronomy 20:16-18).
2 Chronicles 26:16
The House of Pharaoh’s Daughter
The connection between Solomon and Pharaoh’s daughter is also found in 1 Kings, especially at the beginning of Solomon’s history (1 Kings 3:1). There his marriage with Pharaoh’s daughter is mentioned so early in his history as a precursor of the many wrong marriages he will later enter into. Here in 2 Chronicles the emphasis is more on the spiritual mind of Solomon. He realizes that his heathen wife cannot be connected to the service to the LORD in which “the house of David king of Israel” is leading.
We can learn a practical lesson here. It is a bad thing when husband and wife have no common interest in what is most important: the things of God. How else can two men walk together (Amos 3:3)? The love toward Christ in husband and wife gives the strongest bond in marriage. How bad it is when either the husband or the wife has to enter the sanctuary alone, because the other does not care. The same goes for friendships. It is also not correct that there is a separation between our own house and the house of God, as Solomon puts it here. The atmosphere of God’s house must also be that of our own houses.
2 Chronicles 26:17
The Temple According to the Ordinance of David
This section begins with “then” (2 Chronicles 8:12). It seems to say that after Solomon had let Pharaoh’s daughter leave Jerusalem, he was again able to offer offerings. Solomon is here again the king-priest, like Melchizedek. He is herein a picture of the Messiah (Zechariah 6:13). He acts according to “the commandment of Moses” (2 Chronicles 8:13) and offers the various daily, weekly, monthly, and annual prescribed offerings.
Solomon is the offeror and also takes care of the priests and the Levites. He ensures that they act “according to the ordinance of his father David” (2 Chronicles 8:14). This also applies to the gatekeepers who sit at the gates to ensure that no unauthorized persons enter. There is no departing from “the commandment of the king” (2 Chronicles 8:15), because this commandment is completely in accordance with what was said earlier by Moses and David.
Solomon does not use his wisdom to invent new forms of worship, not even by changing or adding anything, but rather by continuing in what he has learned (2 Timothy 3:14). He uses his authority to maintain the statutes of Moses and his father David. Everything is shown as it is described in Ezekiel 40-48, where everything is connected to the glory of the kingdom of peace.
If everything is in order and goes well, it can be said that “the house of the LORD was completed” (2 Chronicles 8:16). Before the service in the temple takes place as prescribed, the temple is not completed. The goal is only then achieved when the house also functions according to the purpose that the builder of it had in mind.
2 Chronicles 26:18
The Temple According to the Ordinance of David
This section begins with “then” (2 Chronicles 8:12). It seems to say that after Solomon had let Pharaoh’s daughter leave Jerusalem, he was again able to offer offerings. Solomon is here again the king-priest, like Melchizedek. He is herein a picture of the Messiah (Zechariah 6:13). He acts according to “the commandment of Moses” (2 Chronicles 8:13) and offers the various daily, weekly, monthly, and annual prescribed offerings.
Solomon is the offeror and also takes care of the priests and the Levites. He ensures that they act “according to the ordinance of his father David” (2 Chronicles 8:14). This also applies to the gatekeepers who sit at the gates to ensure that no unauthorized persons enter. There is no departing from “the commandment of the king” (2 Chronicles 8:15), because this commandment is completely in accordance with what was said earlier by Moses and David.
Solomon does not use his wisdom to invent new forms of worship, not even by changing or adding anything, but rather by continuing in what he has learned (2 Timothy 3:14). He uses his authority to maintain the statutes of Moses and his father David. Everything is shown as it is described in Ezekiel 40-48, where everything is connected to the glory of the kingdom of peace.
If everything is in order and goes well, it can be said that “the house of the LORD was completed” (2 Chronicles 8:16). Before the service in the temple takes place as prescribed, the temple is not completed. The goal is only then achieved when the house also functions according to the purpose that the builder of it had in mind.
2 Chronicles 26:19
The Temple According to the Ordinance of David
This section begins with “then” (2 Chronicles 8:12). It seems to say that after Solomon had let Pharaoh’s daughter leave Jerusalem, he was again able to offer offerings. Solomon is here again the king-priest, like Melchizedek. He is herein a picture of the Messiah (Zechariah 6:13). He acts according to “the commandment of Moses” (2 Chronicles 8:13) and offers the various daily, weekly, monthly, and annual prescribed offerings.
Solomon is the offeror and also takes care of the priests and the Levites. He ensures that they act “according to the ordinance of his father David” (2 Chronicles 8:14). This also applies to the gatekeepers who sit at the gates to ensure that no unauthorized persons enter. There is no departing from “the commandment of the king” (2 Chronicles 8:15), because this commandment is completely in accordance with what was said earlier by Moses and David.
Solomon does not use his wisdom to invent new forms of worship, not even by changing or adding anything, but rather by continuing in what he has learned (2 Timothy 3:14). He uses his authority to maintain the statutes of Moses and his father David. Everything is shown as it is described in Ezekiel 40-48, where everything is connected to the glory of the kingdom of peace.
If everything is in order and goes well, it can be said that “the house of the LORD was completed” (2 Chronicles 8:16). Before the service in the temple takes place as prescribed, the temple is not completed. The goal is only then achieved when the house also functions according to the purpose that the builder of it had in mind.
2 Chronicles 26:20
The Temple According to the Ordinance of David
This section begins with “then” (2 Chronicles 8:12). It seems to say that after Solomon had let Pharaoh’s daughter leave Jerusalem, he was again able to offer offerings. Solomon is here again the king-priest, like Melchizedek. He is herein a picture of the Messiah (Zechariah 6:13). He acts according to “the commandment of Moses” (2 Chronicles 8:13) and offers the various daily, weekly, monthly, and annual prescribed offerings.
Solomon is the offeror and also takes care of the priests and the Levites. He ensures that they act “according to the ordinance of his father David” (2 Chronicles 8:14). This also applies to the gatekeepers who sit at the gates to ensure that no unauthorized persons enter. There is no departing from “the commandment of the king” (2 Chronicles 8:15), because this commandment is completely in accordance with what was said earlier by Moses and David.
Solomon does not use his wisdom to invent new forms of worship, not even by changing or adding anything, but rather by continuing in what he has learned (2 Timothy 3:14). He uses his authority to maintain the statutes of Moses and his father David. Everything is shown as it is described in Ezekiel 40-48, where everything is connected to the glory of the kingdom of peace.
If everything is in order and goes well, it can be said that “the house of the LORD was completed” (2 Chronicles 8:16). Before the service in the temple takes place as prescribed, the temple is not completed. The goal is only then achieved when the house also functions according to the purpose that the builder of it had in mind.
2 Chronicles 26:21
The Temple According to the Ordinance of David
This section begins with “then” (2 Chronicles 8:12). It seems to say that after Solomon had let Pharaoh’s daughter leave Jerusalem, he was again able to offer offerings. Solomon is here again the king-priest, like Melchizedek. He is herein a picture of the Messiah (Zechariah 6:13). He acts according to “the commandment of Moses” (2 Chronicles 8:13) and offers the various daily, weekly, monthly, and annual prescribed offerings.
Solomon is the offeror and also takes care of the priests and the Levites. He ensures that they act “according to the ordinance of his father David” (2 Chronicles 8:14). This also applies to the gatekeepers who sit at the gates to ensure that no unauthorized persons enter. There is no departing from “the commandment of the king” (2 Chronicles 8:15), because this commandment is completely in accordance with what was said earlier by Moses and David.
Solomon does not use his wisdom to invent new forms of worship, not even by changing or adding anything, but rather by continuing in what he has learned (2 Timothy 3:14). He uses his authority to maintain the statutes of Moses and his father David. Everything is shown as it is described in Ezekiel 40-48, where everything is connected to the glory of the kingdom of peace.
If everything is in order and goes well, it can be said that “the house of the LORD was completed” (2 Chronicles 8:16). Before the service in the temple takes place as prescribed, the temple is not completed. The goal is only then achieved when the house also functions according to the purpose that the builder of it had in mind.
2 Chronicles 26:22
The Gold of Solomon
Solomon trades with the nations. The merchandise here is only gold, the gold of Ofir. When we think of Ofir, we have to think of areas or tribes that probably have been or lived in Arabia. Ofir is associated with Havilah, the land of good gold (Genesis 10:29; Genesis 2:11-12).
Gold is a picture of glory; the radiance shows Divine glory. It has to do with paradise, a glory that has been lost by sin, but which here, as it were, is brought back by Solomon. He brings out the glory that is lost.
The glory that has shone in paradise, shines here in the hands of Solomon and will shine in the kingdom of peace the brightest and constantly. The line runs from the gold of paradise, via the gold here of Solomon, to the gold of the kingdom of peace (Isaiah 60:1-9).
Both the gold of paradise and that in the hands of Solomon is darkened by sin. With Solomon it is not a complete restoration of what has been lost in paradise by sin; it is only a temporary restoration. There has never been a restoration as in the days of Solomon, but that will also fade away in light of the glory that will come with the coming of the great King.
2 Chronicles 26:23
The Gold of Solomon
Solomon trades with the nations. The merchandise here is only gold, the gold of Ofir. When we think of Ofir, we have to think of areas or tribes that probably have been or lived in Arabia. Ofir is associated with Havilah, the land of good gold (Genesis 10:29; Genesis 2:11-12).
Gold is a picture of glory; the radiance shows Divine glory. It has to do with paradise, a glory that has been lost by sin, but which here, as it were, is brought back by Solomon. He brings out the glory that is lost.
The glory that has shone in paradise, shines here in the hands of Solomon and will shine in the kingdom of peace the brightest and constantly. The line runs from the gold of paradise, via the gold here of Solomon, to the gold of the kingdom of peace (Isaiah 60:1-9).
Both the gold of paradise and that in the hands of Solomon is darkened by sin. With Solomon it is not a complete restoration of what has been lost in paradise by sin; it is only a temporary restoration. There has never been a restoration as in the days of Solomon, but that will also fade away in light of the glory that will come with the coming of the great King.