Teks -- 1 Kings 9:1-28 (NET)

The Lord Gives Solomon a Promise and a Warning

9:1 After Solomon finished building the Lord’s temple, the royal palace, and all the other construction projects he had planned, 9:2 the Lord appeared to Solomon a second time, in the same way he had appeared to him at Gibeon. 9:3 The Lord said to him, “I have answered your prayer and your request for help that you made to me. I have consecrated this temple you built by making it my permanent home; I will be constantly present there. 9:4 You must serve me with integrity and sincerity, just as your father David did. Do everything I commanded and obey my rules and regulations. 9:5 Then I will allow your dynasty to rule over Israel permanently, just as I promised your father David, ‘You will not fail to have a successor on the throne of Israel.’ 9:6 “But if you or your sons ever turn away from me, fail to obey the regulations and rules I instructed you to keep, and decide to serve and worship other gods, 9:7 then I will remove Israel from the land I have given them, I will abandon this temple I have consecrated with my presence, and Israel will be mocked and ridiculed among all the nations. 9:8 This temple will become a heap of ruins; everyone who passes by it will be shocked and will hiss out their scorn, saying, ‘Why did the Lord do this to this land and this temple?’ 9:9 Others will then answer, ‘Because they abandoned the Lord their God, who led their ancestors out of Egypt. They embraced other gods whom they worshiped and served. That is why the Lord has brought all this disaster down on them.’”

Foreign Affairs and Building Projects

9:10 After twenty years, during which Solomon built the Lord’s temple and the royal palace, 9:11 King Solomon gave King Hiram of Tyre twenty cities in the region of Galilee, because Hiram had supplied Solomon with cedars, evergreens, and all the gold he wanted. 9:12 When Hiram went out from Tyre to inspect the cities Solomon had given him, he was not pleased with them. 9:13 Hiram asked, “Why did you give me these cities, my friend?” He called that area the region of Cabul, a name which it has retained to this day. 9:14 Hiram had sent to the king one hundred twenty talents of gold. 9:15 Here are the details concerning the work crews King Solomon conscripted to build the Lord’s temple, his palace, the terrace, the wall of Jerusalem, and the cities of Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer. 9:16 (Pharaoh, king of Egypt, had attacked and captured Gezer. He burned it and killed the Canaanites who lived in the city. He gave it as a wedding present to his daughter, who had married Solomon.) 9:17 Solomon built up Gezer, lower Beth Horon, 9:18 Baalath, Tadmor in the wilderness, 9:19 all the storage cities that belonged to him, and the cities where chariots and horses were kept. He built whatever he wanted in Jerusalem, Lebanon, and throughout his entire kingdom. 9:20 Now several non-Israelite peoples were left in the land after the conquest of Joshua, including the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. 9:21 Their descendants remained in the land (the Israelites were unable to wipe them out completely). Solomon conscripted them for his work crews, and they continue in that role to this very day. 9:22 Solomon did not assign Israelites to these work crews; the Israelites served as his soldiers, attendants, officers, charioteers, and commanders of his chariot forces. 9:23 These men were also in charge of Solomon’s work projects; there were a total of 550 men who supervised the workers. 9:24 Solomon built the terrace as soon as Pharaoh’s daughter moved up from the city of David to the palace Solomon built for her. 9:25 Three times a year Solomon offered burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar he had built for the Lord, burning incense along with them before the Lord. He made the temple his official worship place. 9:26 King Solomon also built ships in Ezion Geber, which is located near Elat in the land of Edom, on the shore of the Red Sea. 9:27 Hiram sent his fleet and some of his sailors, who were well acquainted with the sea, to serve with Solomon’s men. 9:28 They sailed to Ophir, took from there four hundred twenty talents of gold, and then brought them to King Solomon.

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per frasa)

Wesley: 1Ki 9:3 - For ever

As long as the Mosaic dispensation lasts; whereas hitherto my worship has been successively in several places.

Wesley: 1Ki 9:3 - Eyes

My watchful and gracious providence.

Wesley: 1Ki 9:3 - Heart

My tender affection.

Wesley: 1Ki 9:3 - Shall be there

Shall be towards this place and people.

Wesley: 1Ki 9:5 - Then

Upon that condition; for my promise to David was conditional.

Wesley: 1Ki 9:8 - High

Glorious and renowned.

Wesley: 1Ki 9:8 - Astonished

At its unexpected and wonderful ruin.

Wesley: 1Ki 9:8 - Hiss

By way of contempt and derision.

Wesley: 1Ki 9:11 - Galilee

Or, near the land of Galilee, bordering upon it; in those parts which were near, and adjoining to Hiram's dominions: with the cities, understand the territories belonging to them. These cities, though they were within those large bounds which God fixed to the land of promise, Gen 15:18; Jos 1:4, yet were not within those parts which were distributed by lot in Joshua's time. It is probable they were not inhabited by Israelites, but by Canaanites, or other Heathens; who being subdued, and extirpated by David or Solomon, those cities became a part of their dominions; and afterwards were reckoned a part of Galilee, as Josephus notes.

Wesley: 1Ki 9:13 - Cabul

That is, of dirt, as most interpret it. Because, though the land was very good, yet being a thick and stiff clay, and therefore requiring great pains to manure it, it was very unsuitable to the disposition of the Tyrians, who were delicate, and lazy, and luxurious, and wholly given to merchandise. And on his returning them, there is no doubt but Solomon gave him an equivalent more to his taste.

Wesley: 1Ki 9:14 - Sent

And this seems to be here added, both to declare the quantity of the gold sent, which had been only named before, 1Ki 9:11, and as the reason why he resented Solomon's action, because so great a sum required a better recompense.

Wesley: 1Ki 9:15 - Raised

Both the levy of men; of which, 1Ki 5:13, and the levy of money upon his people and subjects. He raised this levy, both to pay what he owed to Hiram, and to build the works following.

Wesley: 1Ki 9:21 - Those

He used them as bondmen, and imposed bodily labours upon them. But why did not Solomon destroy them as God had commanded, when now it was fully in his power to do so? The command of destroying them, Deu 7:2, did chiefly, if not only, concern that generation of Canaanites, who lived in, or, near the time of the Israelites entering into Canaan. And that command seems not to be absolute, but conditional, and with some exception for those who should submit and embrace the true religion, as may be gathered both from Jos 11:19, and from the history of the Gibeonites. For if God's command had been absolute, the oaths of Joshua, and of the princes, could not have obliged them, nor dispensed with such a command.

Wesley: 1Ki 9:25 - Three times

That is, at the three solemn feasts: and undoubtedly at all other appointed times.

Wesley: 1Ki 9:26 - Made

Not now, but in the beginning of his reign.

Wesley: 1Ki 9:27 - Knowledge of the sea

For which the Tyrians were famous. He sent also ships to join with Solomon's, not from Tyre, the city of Phoenicia; but from an island in the Red - sea, called Tyre, because it was a colony of the Tyrians, as Strabo notes.

Wesley: 1Ki 9:28 - Ophir

A place famous for the plenty and fineness of the gold there. It is agreed, that it was a part of the East - Indies, probably Ceylon, which though very remote from us, yet was far nearer the Red - sea, from whence they might easily sail to it in those ancient times, because they might (according to the manner of those first ages) sail all along near the coast, though the voyage was thereby more tedious, which was the reason why three years were spent in it. And here, and here only were to be had all the commodities which Solomon fetched from Ophir, 1Ki 10:22.

Wesley: 1Ki 9:28 - Fetched

In all there came to the king four hundred and fifty talents, whereof it seems thirty talents were allowed to Hiram and his men, and so there were only four hundred and twenty that came clear into the king's treasury.

JFB: 1Ki 9:1 - And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house

This first verse is connected with 1Ki 9:11, all that is contained between 1Ki 9:2-10 being parenthetical.

JFB: 1Ki 9:2 - That

Rather, "For."

JFB: 1Ki 9:2 - the Lord appeared

This appearance was, like the former one at Gibeon, most probably made in a supernatural vision, and on the night immediately following the dedication of the temple (2Ch 7:12). The strain of it corresponds to this view, for it consists of direct answers to his solemn inaugural prayer (1Ki 9:3 is in answer to 1Ki 8:29; 1Ki 9:4-5 is in answer to 1Ki 8:25-26; 1Ki 9:6-9 to 1Ki 8:33-46; see also Deu 29:22-24).

JFB: 1Ki 9:8 - this house, which is high

"high," either in point of situation, for it was built on a hill, and therefore conspicuous to every beholder; or "high" in respect to privilege, honor, and renown; or this "house of the Most High," notwithstanding all its beauty and magnificence, shall be destroyed, and remain in such a state of ruin and degradation as to be a striking monument of the just judgment of God. The record of this second vision, in which were rehearsed the conditions of God's covenant with Solomon and the consequences of breaking them, is inserted here as a proper introduction to the narrative about to be given of this king's commercial enterprises and ambitious desire for worldly glory; for this king, by encouraging an influx of foreign people and a taste for foreign luxuries, rapidly corrupted his own mind and that of this subjects, so that they turned from following God, they and their children (1Ki 9:6).

JFB: 1Ki 9:10 - at the end of twenty years

Seven and a half years were spent in building the temple, and twelve and a half or thirteen in the erection of his palace (1Ki 7:1; 2Ch 8:1). This verse is only a recapitulation of 1Ki 9:1, necessary to recover the thread of connection in the narrative.

JFB: 1Ki 9:11 - Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee

According to JOSEPHUS, they were situated on the northwest of it, adjacent to Tyre. Though lying within the boundaries of the promised land (Gen 15:18; Jos 1:4), they had never been conquered till then, and were inhabited by Canaanite heathens (Jdg 4:2-13; 2Ki 15:29). They were probably given to Hiram, whose dominions were small, as a remuneration for his important services in furnishing workmen, materials, and an immense quantity of wrought gold (1Ki 9:14) for the temple and other buildings [MICHAELIS]. The gold, however, as others think, may have been the amount of forfeits paid to Solomon by Hiram for not being able to answer the riddles and apothegms, with which, according to JOSEPHUS, in their private correspondence, the two sovereigns amused themselves. Hiram having refused these cities, probably on account of their inland situation making them unsuitable to his maritime and commercial people, Solomon satisfied his ally in some other way; and, taking these cities into his own hands, he first repaired their shattered walls, then filled them with a colony of Hebrews (2Ch 8:2).|| 09067||1||10||0||@this is the reason of the levy==--A levy refers both to men and money, and the necessity for Solomon making it arose from the many gigantic works he undertook to erect.

JFB: 1Ki 9:11 - Millo

Part of the fort of Jerusalem on Mount Zion (2Sa 5:9; 1Ch 11:8), or a row of stone bastions around Mount Zion, Millo being the great corner tower of that fortified wall (1Ki 11:27; 2Ch 32:5).

JFB: 1Ki 9:11 - the wall of Jerusalem

Either repairing some breaches in it (1Ki 11:27), or extending it so as to enclose Mount Zion.

JFB: 1Ki 9:11 - Hazor

Fortified on account of its importance as a town in the northern boundary of the country.

JFB: 1Ki 9:11 - Megiddo

(now Leijun)--Lying in the great caravan road between Egypt and Damascus, it was the key to the north of Palestine by the western lowlands, and therefore fortified.

JFB: 1Ki 9:11 - Gezer

On the western confines of Ephraim, and, though a Levitical city, occupied by the Canaanites. Having fallen by right of conquest to the king of Egypt, who for some cause attacked it, it was given by him as a dowry to his daughter, and fortified by Solomon.

JFB: 1Ki 9:17 - Beth-horon the nether

Situated on the way from Joppa to Jerusalem and Gibeon; it required, from so public a road, to be strongly garrisoned.

JFB: 1Ki 9:18 - Baalath

Baal-bek.

JFB: 1Ki 9:18 - Tadmor

Palmyra, between Damascus and the Euphrates, was rebuilt and fortified as a security against invasion from northern Asia. In accomplishing these and various other works which were carried on throughout the kingdom, especially in the north, where Rezon of Damascus, his enemy, might prove dangerous, he employed vast numbers of the Canaanites as galley slaves (2Ch 2:18), treating them as prisoners of war, who were compelled to do the drudgery and hard labor, while the Israelites were only engaged in honorable employment.

JFB: 1Ki 9:23 - These were the chief of the officers

(See on 2Ch 8:10).

JFB: 1Ki 9:24-25 - three times in a year

Namely, at the passover, pentecost, and feast of tabernacles (2Ch 8:13; 2Ch 31:3). The circumstances mentioned in these two verses form a proper conclusion to the record of his buildings and show that his design in erecting those at Jerusalem was to remedy defects existing at the commencement of his reign (see 1Ki 3:1-4).

JFB: 1Ki 9:26 - Ezion-geber, which is beside Eloth

These were neighboring ports at the head of the eastern or Elanitic branch of the Red Sea. Tyrian ship carpenters and sailors were sent there for Solomon's vessels (see on 2Ch 8:17-18).

JFB: 1Ki 9:26 - Ezion-geber

That is, "the giant's backbone"; so called from a reef of rocks at the entrance of the harbor.

JFB: 1Ki 9:26 - Eloth

Elim or Elath; that is, "the trees"; a grove of terebinths still exists at the head of the gulf.

JFB: 1Ki 9:28 - Ophir

A general name, like the East or West Indies with us, for all the southern regions lying on the African, Arabian, or Indian seas, in so far as at that time known [HEEREN].

JFB: 1Ki 9:28 - gold, four hundred and twenty talents

(See on 2Ch 8:18). At 125 pounds Troy, or 1500 ounces to the talent, and about £4 to the ounce, this would make £2,604,000.

Clarke: 1Ki 9:2 - The Lord appeared to Solomon

The Lord appeared to Solomon - The design of this appearance, which was in a dream, as that was at Gibeon, was to assure Solomon that God had accepted his service, and had taken that house for his dwelling-place, and would continue it, and establish him and his descendants upon the throne of Israel for ever, provided they served him with an upright heart; but, on the contrary, if they forsook him, he would abandon both them and his temple.

Clarke: 1Ki 9:7 - A proverb and a by - word among all people

A proverb and a by - word among all people - And so they are to the present; the unbelieving Jews, the stubborn, stiff-necked Jews, are words still in common use. They forsook the Lord, rejected his Christ, and are cast off, their temple destroyed, and they scattered over the face of the earth.

Clarke: 1Ki 9:9 - Have taken hold upon other gods

Have taken hold upon other gods - When an indigent person claims the protection of a superior, he casts himself down before him, and lays hold of his feet; and this expression is frequently used when there is no prostration: I have taken hold of thy feet. When a person is called into the presence of the Burman monarch, he is said to go to the golden foot. - Ward’ s Customs.

Clarke: 1Ki 9:10 - At the end of twenty years

At the end of twenty years - He employed seven years and a half in building the temple, and twelve years and a half in building the king’ s house; see 1Ki 7:1; 2Ch 8:1.

Clarke: 1Ki 9:11 - Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities

Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities - It is very likely that Solomon did not give those cities to Hiram so that they should be annexed to his Tyrian dominions, but rather gave him the produce of them till the money was paid which he had advanced to Solomon for his buildings. It appears however that either Hiram did not accept them, or that having received the produce till he was paid, he then restored them to Solomon; for in the parallel place, 2Ch 8:2, it is said, The cities which Hiram had restored to Solomon, Solomon built them, and caused the children of Israel to dwell there. Some think that they were heathen cities which Solomon had conquered, and therefore had a right to give them if he pleased, as they were not any part of the land given by promise to the Israelites.

Clarke: 1Ki 9:13 - Called them the land of Cabul

Called them the land of Cabul - Whether this epithet was given to this land by Hiram as a mark of disapprobation, or what is its proper meaning, the learned are not agreed. That there was a country of this name in the promised land in the time of Joshua, is evident enough from Jos 19:27, as it was one part of the boundary of the tribe of Asher; hence some interpret the word border or boundary, and so, the Septuagint understood it, for they have translated the Hebrew word ὁριον, which signifies the same. The margin gives another meaning.

Clarke: 1Ki 9:14 - Sixscore talents of gold

Sixscore talents of gold - This was the sum which Hiram had lent, and in order to pay this Solomon had laid a tax upon his people, as we afterward learn. The whole is very darkly expressed.

Clarke: 1Ki 9:15 - This is the reason of the levy

This is the reason of the levy - That is, in order to pay Hiram the sixscore talents of gold which he had borrowed from him (Hiram not being willing to take the Galilean cities mentioned above; or, having taken them, soon restored them again) he was obliged to lay a tax upon the people; and that this was a grievous and oppressive tax we learn from 1Ki 12:1-4, where the elders of Israel came to Rehoboam, complaining of their heavy state of taxation, and entreating that their yoke might be made lighter

Clarke: 1Ki 9:15 - And Millo

And Millo - This is supposed to have been a deep valley between Mount Sion and what was called the city of Jebus, which Solomon filled up, and it was built on, and became a sort of fortified place, and a place for public assemblies. - See Calmet.

Clarke: 1Ki 9:16 - Pharaoh - had gone up, and taken Gezer

Pharaoh - had gone up, and taken Gezer - This city Joshua had taken from the Canaanites, Jos 10:33; Jos 12:12, and it was divided by lot to the tribe of Ephraim, and was intended to be one of the Levitical cities; but it appears that the Canaanites had retaken it, and kept possession till the days of Solomon, when his father-in-law, Pharaoh king of Egypt, retook it, and gave it to Solomon in dowry with his daughter.

Clarke: 1Ki 9:18 - And Tadmor in the wilderness

And Tadmor in the wilderness - This is almost universally allowed to be the same with the celebrated Palmyra, the ruins of which remain to the present day, and give us the highest idea of Solomon’ s splendor and magnificence. Palmyra stood upon a fertile plain surrounded by a barren desert, having the river Euphrates on the east. The ruins are well described by Messrs. Dawkes and Wood, of which they give fine representations. They are also well described in the ancient part of the Universal History, vol. i., p. 367-70. The description concludes thus: "The world never saw a more glorious city; the pride, it is likely, of ancient times, and the reproach of our own; a city not more remarkable for the state of her buildings and unwontedness of her situation than for the extraordinary personages who once flourished there, among whom the renowned Zenobia and the incomparable Longinus must for ever be remembered with admiration and regret."

Clarke: 1Ki 9:19 - And all the cities of store

And all the cities of store - Though, by the multitude and splendor of his buildings, Solomon must have added greatly to the magnificence of his reign; yet, however plenteous silver and gold were in his times, his subjects must have been greatly oppressed with the taxation necessary to defray such a vast public expenditure.

Clarke: 1Ki 9:21 - A tribute of bond-service

A tribute of bond-service - He made them do the most laborious part of the public works, the Israelites being generally exempt. When Sesostris, king of Egypt, returned from his wars, he caused temples to be built in all the cities of Egypt, but did not employ one Egyptian in the work, having built the whole by the hands of the captives which he had taken in his wars. Hence he caused this inscription to be placed upon each temple: -

Ουδεις εγχωριος εις αυτα μεμοχθηκε

No native has labored in thes

Diodor. Sic. Bibl., lib. i., c. 56

It appears that Solomon might with propriety have placed a similar inscription on most of his works.

Clarke: 1Ki 9:25 - Three times in a year did Solomon offer

Three times in a year did Solomon offer - These three times were

1.    The passover

2.    The feast of pentecost

3.    The feast of tabernacles.

Clarke: 1Ki 9:26 - A navy of ships

A navy of ships - Literally, אני oni , a ship: in the parallel place, 2Ch 8:17, it is said that Hiram sent him אניות oniyoth , ships; but it does not appear that Solomon in this case built more than one ship, and this was manned principally by the Tyrians.

Clarke: 1Ki 9:28 - And they came to Ophir

And they came to Ophir - No man knows certainly, to this day, where this Ophir was situated. There were two places of this name; one somewhere in India, beyond the Ganges, and another in Arabia, near the country of the Sabaeans, mentioned by Job, Job 22:24 : Then shalt thou lay up gold as dust; and the gold of Ophir as the stones of the brooks. And Job 28:16 : It cannot be valued with the gold of Ophir, with the precious onyx, or the sapphire. Calmet places this country at the sources of the Euphrates and Tigris

But there are several reasons to prove that this was not the Ophir of the Bible, which it seems was so situated as to require a voyage of three years long to go out, load, and return. Mr. Bruce has discussed this subject at great length; see his Travels, vol. ii., chap. iv., p. 354, etc. He endeavors to prov

1.    That Ezion-geber is situated on the Elanitic branch of the Arabian Gulf or Red Sea

2.    That Tharshish is Moka, near to Melinda, in the Indian Ocean, in about three degrees south latitude

3.    That Ophir lies somewhere in the land of Sofala, or in the vicinity of the Zimbeze river, opposite the island of Madagascar, where there have been gold and silver mines in great abundance from the remotest antiquity. And he proves

4.    That no vessel could perform this voyage in less than Three years, because of the monsoons; that more time need not be employed, and that this is the precise time mentioned in 1Ki 10:22

5.    That this is the country of the queen of Sheba, or Sabia, or Azeba, who on her visit to Solomon, brought him one hundred and twenty talents of gold, and of spices and precious stones great store, 1Ki 10:10. And that gold, ivory, silver, etc., are the natural productions of this country

To illustrate and prove his positions he has given a map on a large scale, "showing the track of Solomon’ s fleet in their three years’ voyage from the Elanitic Gulf to Ophir and Tharshish;"to which, and his description, I must refer the reader.

Defender: 1Ki 9:15 - Gezer

The cities mentioned in this verse were important cities during the reign of Solomon, a fact clearly confirmed by archaeological excavations at their sites."

Defender: 1Ki 9:26 - navy of ships

This is the first reference in the Bible to a navy (the last is in the next chapter - 1Ki 10:22), and refers to a fleet of commercial vessels which contributed largely to Solomon's great prosperity. The ruins of this port, with its nearby smelters and ore deposits, have been excavated by archaeologists."

TSK: 1Ki 9:1 - it came // the house // all Solomon’ s

am 3013, bc 991

it came : 1Ki 6:37, 1Ki 6:38, 1Ki 7:1, 1Ki 7:51; 2Ch 7:11-22

the house : 2Ch 8:1-6; Ecc 2:4

all Solomon’ s : 1Ki 9:11, 1Ki 9:19; Ecc 2:10, Ecc 6:9

TSK: 1Ki 9:2 - as he

as he : 1Ki 3:5, 1Ki 11:9; 2Ch 1:7-12, 2Ch 7:12

TSK: 1Ki 9:3 - I have heard // I have hallowed // to put // mine eyes

I have heard : 2Ki 20:5; Psa 10:17, Psa 66:19, Psa 116:1; Dan 9:23; Joh 11:42; Act 10:31; 1Jo 5:14

I have hallowed : 1Ki 8:10, 1Ki 8:11; Exo 20:11; Num 16:38; Mat 6:9

to put : 1Ki 8:29; Deu 12:5, Deu 12:11, Deu 12:21, Deu 16:11

mine eyes : Deu 11:12; 2Ch 6:40, 2Ch 7:15, 2Ch 7:16; Psa 132:13, Psa 132:14; Son 4:9, Son 4:10; Jer 15:1

TSK: 1Ki 9:4 - And if thou // in integrity

And if thou : 1Ki 3:14, 1Ki 8:25, 1Ki 11:4, 1Ki 11:6, 1Ki 11:38, 1Ki 14:8, 1Ki 15:5; Gen 17:1; Deu 28:1; 2Ch 7:17, 2Ch 7:18; Job 23:11, Job 23:12; Psa 15:2, Psa 26:1, Psa 26:11; Pro 20:7; Zec 3:7; Luk 1:6; 1Th 4:1, 1Th 4:2

in integrity : Pro 10:9, Pro 28:18

TSK: 1Ki 9:5 - I will establish

I will establish : 1Ki 2:4, 1Ki 6:12, 1Ki 8:15, 1Ki 8:20; 2Sa 7:12, 2Sa 7:16; 1Ch 22:9, 1Ch 22:10; Psa 89:28-39; Psa 132:11, Psa 132:12

TSK: 1Ki 9:6 - if ye // go

if ye : 1Sa 2:30; 2Sa 7:14-16; 1Ch 28:9; 2Ch 7:19-22, 2Ch 15:2

go : 1Ki 11:4-10; Jos 23:15, Jos 23:16

TSK: 1Ki 9:7 - will I cut // this house // and Israel

will I cut : Lev 18:24-28; Deu 4:26, Deu 29:26-28; 2Ki 17:20-23, 2Ki 25:9, 2Ki 25:21; Jer 7:15; Jer 24:9; Eze 33:27-29; Luk 21:24

this house : 1Ki 9:3; 2Ki 25:9; 2Ch 7:20, 2Ch 36:19; Jer 7:4-14, Jer 26:6, Jer 26:18, Jer 52:13; Lam 2:6, Lam 2:7; Eze 24:21; Mic 3:12; Mat 24:2; Luk 21:24

and Israel : Deu 28:37; Neh 4:1-4; Psa 44:14; Isa 65:15; Jer 24:9; Lam 2:15, Lam 2:16; Joe 2:17

TSK: 1Ki 9:8 - at // Why

at : 2Ch 7:21; Isa 64:11; Jer 19:8, Jer 49:17, Jer 50:13; Dan 9:12

Why : Deu 29:24-26; Jer 22:8, Jer 22:9, Jer 22:28

TSK: 1Ki 9:9 - Because // therefore

Because : Deu 29:25-28; 2Ch 7:22; Jer 2:10-13, Jer 2:19, Jer 5:19, Jer 16:10-13, Jer 50:7; Lam 2:16, Lam 2:17, Lam 4:13-15; Eze 36:17-20; Zep 1:4, Zep 1:5

therefore : Jer 12:7, Jer 12:8

TSK: 1Ki 9:10 - at the end of twenty

at the end of twenty : 1Ki 9:1, 1Ki 6:37, 1Ki 6:38, 1Ki 7:1; 2Chr. 8:1-18

TSK: 1Ki 9:11 - Now Hiram // king Solomon // of Galilee

Now Hiram : 1Ki 5:6-10; 2Ch 2:8-10, 2Ch 2:16

king Solomon : 2Ch 8:2

of Galilee : Jos 20:7

TSK: 1Ki 9:12 - they pleased him not

they pleased him not : Heb. were not right in his eyes, Num 22:34; Jdg 14:3 *marg.

TSK: 1Ki 9:13 - my brother // Cabul

my brother : 1Ki 5:1, 1Ki 5:2; Amo 1:9

Cabul : that is, Displeasing, or dirty. Josephus says that Cabul , in the Phoenician language, signifies ουκ αρεσκον , displeasing; and that these cities were situated in the neighbourhood of Tyre. Most commentators are persuaded that the city Cabul in the tribe of Asher was one; and probably from this Hiram took occasion to give this name to all the other cities which Solomon had ceded to him. Jos 19:27

TSK: 1Ki 9:14

1Ki 9:11, 1Ki 9:28, 1Ki 10:10, 1Ki 10:14, 1Ki 10:21

TSK: 1Ki 9:15 - the reason // to build // Millo // the wall // Hazor // Megiddo // Gezer

am 2989-3029, bc 1015-975

the reason : 1Ki 9:21, 1Ki 5:13

to build : 1Ki 9:10, 1Ki 6:38, 1Ki 7:1; 2Ch 8:1

Millo : Millo is said to have been a deep valley, between the ancient city of Jebus and the city of David on mount Zion. This Solomon filled up, and built upon; and it became a fortified place, and a place for public assemblies. 1Ki 9:24, 1Ki 11:27; Jdg 9:6, Jdg 9:20; 2Sa 5:9; 2Ki 12:20

the wall : Psa 51:18

Hazor : Probably the city Hazor in Naphtali, and the famous capital of Jabin, situated in the lake Merom or Semechon, and placed by Josephus south of Tyre, near Ptolemais. Jos 11:1, Jos 19:36; Jdg 4:2; 2Ki 15:29

Megiddo : 1Ki 4:12; Jos 17:11; Jdg 5:19; 2Ki 9:27, 2Ki 23:29, 2Ki 23:30; 2Ch 35:22; Zec 12:11

Gezer : 1Ki 9:16, 1Ki 9:17; Jos 10:33, Jos 16:10, Jos 21:21; Jdg 1:29; 1Ch 6:67, 1Ch 20:4

TSK: 1Ki 9:16 - daughter

daughter : 1Ki 9:24, 1Ki 3:1

TSK: 1Ki 9:17 - Bethhoron

Bethhoron : Jos 16:3, Jos 19:44, Jos 21:22; 2Ch 8:4-6, 2Ch 8:7-18

TSK: 1Ki 9:18 - Baalath // Tadmor

Baalath : Jos 19:44

Tadmor : 2Ch 8:4

TSK: 1Ki 9:19 - the cities of store // that which Solomon desired

the cities of store : 1Ki 4:26-28; Exo 1:11

that which Solomon desired : Heb. the desire of Solomon which he desired, 1Ki 9:1; Ecc 2:10, Ecc 6:9

TSK: 1Ki 9:20 - left // Amorites

left : 2Ch 8:7, 2Ch 8:8-18

Amorites : Gen 15:19-21; Exo 23:23, Exo 23:28-33, Exo 34:11, Exo 34:12; Deu 7:1-3

TSK: 1Ki 9:21 - left // not // levy // tribute // bondservice

left : Jdg 1:21, Jdg 1:27-35, Jdg 2:20-23, Jdg 3:1-4; Psa 106:34-36

not : Jos 15:63, Jos 17:12, Jos 17:16-18

levy : 1Ki 9:15, 1Ki 5:13; Jdg 1:28, Jdg 1:35

tribute : He made them do the most laborious parts of the public works, the Israelites being exempt from all but the more honourable employments.

bondservice : Gen 9:25, Gen 9:26; Ezr 2:55-58; Neh 7:57, Neh 11:3

TSK: 1Ki 9:22 - of the children // but they were men

of the children : Lev 25:39

but they were men : 1Kings 4:1-27; 1Sa 8:11, 1Sa 8:12; 2Ch 8:9, 2Ch 8:10

TSK: 1Ki 9:23 - chief

chief : 1Ki 5:16; 2Ch 2:18, 2Ch 8:10

TSK: 1Ki 9:24 - Pharaoh’ s // the city of David // Millo

Pharaoh’ s : 1Ki 9:16, 1Ki 3:1, 1Ki 7:8; 2Ch 8:11

the city of David : 2Sa 5:9

Millo : 1Ki 9:15, 1Ki 11:27; 2Ch 32:5

TSK: 1Ki 9:25 - three times // he burnt // upon the altar that was before

three times : Exo 23:14-17, Exo 34:23; Deu 16:16; 2Ch 8:12, 2Ch 8:13

he burnt : Exo 30:7; 1Ch 23:13; 2Ch 26:16-21, 2Ch 29:11, 2Ch 34:25

upon the altar that was before : Heb. upon it which was before, So he finished the house. 1Ki 6:38; 2Ch 8:16

TSK: 1Ki 9:26 - made a navy // Eziongeber // Eloth // shore

made a navy : 2Ch 8:12, 2Ch 8:17, 18-11:4

Eziongeber : 1Ki 22:48; Num 33:35; Deu 2:8

Eloth : 2Ki 14:22

shore : Heb. lip

TSK: 1Ki 9:27 - his servants

his servants : 1Ki 5:6, 1Ki 5:9, 1Ki 22:49; 2Ch 20:36, 2Ch 20:37

TSK: 1Ki 9:28 - Ophir // four hundred

Ophir : 1Ki 10:11; Gen 10:29; 1Ch 29:4; 2Ch 8:18, 2Ch 9:10; Job 22:24, Job 28:16; Psa 45:9; Isa 13:12

four hundred : 2Ch 8:18

Tafsiran/Catatan -- Catatan Kata/Frasa (per Ayat)

Poole: 1Ki 9:2

To wit, in a dream or vision; for that which is mentioned 1Ki 6:11 , seems to have been imparted unto him by some prophet or messenger sent from God with that errand. The time of this revelation was either,

1. After all Solomon’ s buildings, as the words thus rendered plainly imply. And if it seem strange that God should not reveal this purpose and sentence of his concerning the temple till so many years after the finishing of it, it must be considered,

1. That as it is an act of God’ s singular grace when he doth thus reveal himself to any person, so it is but meet he should choose his own time for it.

2. That God had presently after the finishing of the temple, at the feast of the dedication of it, sufficiently showed his acceptance and approbation of it by that glorious cloud, 1Ki 8:10,11 , and therefore this revelation was not then necessary.

3. That God might choose this as the fittest time for giving Solomon the following admonition, when he perceived that his heart befall to be lifted up in pride for his sumptuous and magnificent buildings, &c., and that he was grown vain, and careless, and secure; and therefore most needed such all awakening oracle. Or,

2. Presently after the building of the temple, as may be thought from the matter of this revelation, which seems best to suit with that time when it was newly built, and when Solomon’ s prayer here mentioned was newly made; for seeing the following words contain God’ s answer to that prayer, it seems improbable, that the answer should come so many years after it. But then this second verse, and the rest, even to 1Ki 9:11 , are to be enclosed with a parenthesis; and the place must be thus rendered, 1Ki 9:2 , For (so the Hebrew vau is oft rendered) the Lord appeared, or had appeared, to Solomon , &c.; 1Ki 9:3 , And the Lord had said unto him , &c. And this parenthesis may seem to have a foundation in 1Ki 9:10 , where the first verse (in substance, though not in the very same words) is repeated, as is usual after long digressions; and then he completes the sentence, 1Ki 9:11 , &c., which till then had been suspended. Nor are such long parentheses without example in Scripture. See my Latin Synopsis on Rom 5:12 , &c.; Eph 3:1 , &c. Rev 22:7 .

Poole: 1Ki 9:3 - I have hallowed this house // For ever // Mine eyes // Mine heart // Shall be there

I have hallowed this house I have, by my glorious presence in the cloud, and by my acceptation of thy sacrifices, sanctified it to my proper use and service.

For ever as long as the Mosaical dispensation lasts; whereas hitherto my name and worship hath been successively in several places.

Mine eyes i.e. my watchful and gracious providence.

Mine heart my true and tender affection.

Shall be there shall be towards this place and people, Perpetually; upon condition of your obedience, as it here follows.

Poole: 1Ki 9:4 - As David thy father walked

As David thy father walked who, though he miscarried in some things, yet in the general course of his life was upright and faithful towards me.

Poole: 1Ki 9:5 - Then

Then upon that condition; for my promise to David was conditional.

Poole: 1Ki 9:6 - If ye shall at all turn from following me // if ye shall wholly turn

If ye shall at all turn from following me or rather,

if ye shall wholly turn & c.; if you shall wilfully and obstinately depart from God, and violate his laws, as the doubling of the word implies. Whereby he also intimates that he would not be so rigid and severe towards them, as to mark every thing that was amiss; but would bear with much, as he did in David &c., only that he would not endure a total defection from him.

Poole: 1Ki 9:7 - Will I cast out of my sight // Israel shall be a proverb

Will I cast out of my sight I will not regard it; I will take away my protection and gracious presence from it.

Israel shall be a proverb their miseries shall be named proverbally, to express extreme calamities. See Deu 28:37 .

Poole: 1Ki 9:8 - Which is high // Shall be astonished // Shall hiss

Which is high i.e. exalted in its privileges, glorious, and renowned. The particle which is oft understood, and is here fitly supplied out of 2Ch 7:21 , where it is expressed.

Shall be astonished at its unexpected and wonderful ruin.

Shall hiss by way of contempt and derision. See Jer 19:8 49:17 50:13 .

Poole: 1Ki 9:11 - the land of Galilee // Quest // Answ

Or, near (as beth oft signifies, as hath been proved before)

the land of Galilee bordering upon it; in those parts which were near and adjoining to Hiram’ s dominions: with the cities understand the lands and territories belonging to them.

Quest. How could Solomon give away any part of that land wherein the people had a right by a Divine lot, and God had a right, as being the only proprietary of it; upon which ground the total alienation of it, or any part of it, was forbidden, Lev 25:23 ?

Answ 1. It is not said that he gave them away wholly, and for ever; but he might assign them to him only for a time, until he was fully satisfied for his debt.

2. If these cities were possessed by Israelites, Solomon did not give him their particular possessions, but only his own royalties over them, and all the profits he received from them, which were very considerable, as may be gathered from that passage, 1Ki 12:4 .

3. These cities, though they were within those large bounds which God fixed to the Land of Promise, Gen 15:18 Jos 1:4 , yet were not within those parts which were distributed by Lot in Joshua’ s time, nor belonging to the tribe of Asher, (as some suppose,) as may be gathered both from Jos 19:27 , where their border is said to go out only to the land of Cabul , to wit, exclusively; and Jos 19:30 , where all their cities are said to be but twenty and two; and from 2Ch 8:2 , where it is said of those cities, when Hiram restored them, that Solomon built them, and caused the children of Israel to dwell there ; which makes it more than probable that these cities were not inhabited by Israelites, but by Canaanites, or other heathens; who being subdued and extirpated by David, or Solomon, those cities became a part of their dominions, and at their disposal; and afterwards were reckoned a part of Galilee, as Josephus notes; and may be one reason why he gave these rather than other cities, because they were in his power to give, when others were not.

Poole: 1Ki 9:12

He did not accept them for satisfaction, because the cities were out of repair, as appears from 1Ki 9:13 , and the soil not good in his eyes, and therefore he refused them, 2Ch 8:2 , and expected, and doubtless had, satisfaction some other way, as may be gathered from the following story.

Poole: 1Ki 9:13 - The land of Cabul

The land of Cabul i.e. of dirt , as most interpret it. Not that it was a barren soil, as some imagine; for they who describe those parts commend them as fruitful; nor would Solomon have made him so unworthy a return: but because it was not pleasant, nor agreeable to his nor to his people’ s humour; because, though the land was very good, yet being a thick and stiff clay, and therefore requiring great pains to manure and improve it, it was very unsuitable to the disposition of the Tyrians, who were delicate, and lazy, and luxurious, and wholly given to merchandise.

Poole: 1Ki 9:14

Or rather, for Hiram had sent . And this seems to be here added, both to declare the quantity of the gold sent, which had been only named before, 1Ki 9:11 , and as the reason why he resented Solomon’ s action so ill, because so great a sum required a better recompence.

Poole: 1Ki 9:15 - The levy which king Solomon raised // Millo // Hazor // Megiddo // Gezer

The levy which king Solomon raised both the levy of men, of which 1Ki 5:13 , and the levy of money upon his people and subjects, which is sufficiently evident from many scriptures. And this sentence may look both backward and forward. He raised this levy, both to pay what he owed to Hiram, which is mentioned before; and to build the works here following.

Millo seems to have been an eminent, and large, and strong fort or castle in Jerusalem, as may be gathered from 1Ki 11:27 2Ch 32:5 .

Hazor in Naphtali. See Jos 11:10 Jos 19:36 .

Megiddo in that part of the tribe of Manasseh within Jordan; of which see Jos 17:11 .

Gezer in Ephraim, Jos 21:21 . It now was, and long had been, in the possession of the Canaanites, Jos 16:10 Jud 1:29 , and permitted so to be by David and Solomon, either by neglect, or because they were busied in greater and more necessary employments.

Poole: 1Ki 9:16

Not now, but long before this time, and presently after the marriage of his daughter, as is most probable; and it is here mentioned only as the occasion of Solomon’ s building it. Possibly the Canaanites of this place had been guilty of some heinous crime; and because Solomon thought not fit to destroy them himself, he desired Pharaoh to do it for him, or Pharaoh might offer his service herein for his daughter’ s advantage.

Poole: 1Ki 9:17 - Beth-horon

In Benjamin, Jos 18:13,14 ; and Beth-horon the upper , which is added 2Ch 8:5 , a city in the tribe of Ephraim, Jos 16:5 , possibly bordering upon Benjamin, and nigh unto the lower

Beth-horon which alone may be here mentioned, either because it was the more famous place, or because it needed more reparations.

Poole: 1Ki 9:18 - Baalath // Tadmor // In the land

Baalath in the tribe of Dan, Jos 19:40,44 .

Tadmor supposed to be called Tamar , Eze 47:19 .

In the land: this clause may belong either, first, To all the places above mentioned, which are here declared to be in the land of Canaan. But so that clause may seem superfluous; for none would easily think that he would build much out of his own land. Or rather, secondly, To Tadmor , which otherwise being in that wilderness which was the border of the land, might have been presumed to have been out of the land.

Poole: 1Ki 9:19 - The cities of store // In Lebanon

The cities of store to lay up arms and ammunition for war, and corn or other provisions against a time of scarcity. See Exo 1:11 .

In Lebanon either in the mountain of Lebanon, which being the border of his land, he might build some forts or a frontier city in it; or in the house of the forest of Lebanon; of which see 1Ki 7:2 .

Poole: 1Ki 9:21 - Quest // Answ

He used them as bond-men, and imposed burdens and bodily labours upon them. See 2Ch 2:18 . Hence some think they are called Solomon’ s servants , Ezr 2:55,58 .

Quest. Why did not Solomon destroy them, as God had commanded, when now it was fully in his power to do so?

Answ First, The command of destroying them, Deu 7:2 , did chiefly, if not only, concern that generation of Canaanites who lived in or near the time of the Israelites’ entering into Canaan. Secondly, That command seems not to be absolute and universal, but conditional, and with some exception for those who should submit to them, and embrace the true religion, as may be gathered both from Jos 11:19 , and from the history of the Gibeonites, Jos 9 , whom Joshua did not sin in sparing, when he had sworn to do so; and Saul did sin in endeavouring to destroy them. But if God’ s command had been absolute, the oaths of Joshua, and of the princes, could not have obliged them, nor dispensed with such a command.

Poole: 1Ki 9:23 - Object // Answ

Object They were only two hundred and fifty in 2Ch 8:10 .

Answ First, Those might be officers of another sort; for they are not said to be over the work , as these are, but only over the people. Secondly, The two hundred and fifty were Israelites, who are therefore distinctly mentioned in that book, where many things are more exactly noted than in the former; and the other three hundred were strangers, who therefore are neglected in that more accurate account. Or, thirdly, There was but two hundred and fifty at one time, which is noted there, and two hundred and fifty at another time, (for it is apparent they did their work by turns,) and the other fifty either were superior to all the rest, or rather were a reserve to supply the place of any of the five hundred when there was occasion, which might frequently happen. And so this was an act not unbecoming Solomon’ s wisdom, to make provision for emergencies.

Poole: 1Ki 9:25 - Three times in a year // So he finished the house

Three times in a year i.e. at the three solemn feasts, which is not said exclusively, as is evident both from 2Ch 8:13 , and from the express and oft-repeated commands of God to offer at other times, which it is absurd to think that Solomon, not yet fallen into sin, should so wickedly and scandalously neglect; but because then he did it more solemnly, and more costlily, and more publicly; whereby it might be presumed that he did so at all other appointed times.

So he finished the house or, so he perfected the house, to wit, by applying it to the use for which it was made, in which the perfection of such things consists. Or the house may be put metonymically for the work or service of the house, as it is elsewhere commonly used for the things or persons in the house. Or the words may be and are rendered thus, After that (for so the Hebrew vau oft signifies, as Isa 37:9,36 Ho 1:11 Zec 12:2 ) he finished the house , i.e. from the time of the finishing of the house, until this time, he continued to do so.

Poole: 1Ki 9:26 - Solomon made a navy of ships // Eloth // In the land of Edom

Solomon made a navy of ships not now in the order in which it is placed in the history, but in the beginning of his reign; as appears, because the almug trees which he used in this work were brought in this navy from Ophir, 1Ki 10:11,12 2Ch 9:10,11 , which was a three years’ voyage & here, 1Ki 10:22 ; for Ophir and Tharshish were either the same place, or one near to another.

Eloth or Elath , as it is called, 2Ki 14:22 . See Deu 2:8 . It is thought to be that famous port on the Red Sea which Ptolemy and Strabo call Elana .

In the land of Edom which David brought under his dominion, and Solomon kept it.

Poole: 1Ki 9:27 - knowledge of the sea

The Tyrians were famous for

knowledge of the sea He sent also ships to join with Solomon’ s, 2Ch 8:18 ; not from Tyre, the famous city of Phoenicia, which was in the midland sea, from whence he could not sail to the Red Sea without fetching a vast compass; but from an island in the Red Sea, called Tyre, because it was a colony of the Tyrians, as Strabo notes.

Poole: 1Ki 9:28 - Ophir // Four hundred and twenty talents

Ophir a place famous for the plenty and fineness of the gold there; of which see Gen 2:11,12 Job 22:24 28:16 Psa 45:9 Isa 13:12 . It is manifest and agreed that it was a part of the East Indies, which though very remote from us, yet was far nearer to the Red Sea, from whence they might easily sail to it in these ancient times, because they needed not to go far from the coast to come to it, because they might (according to the manner of these first ages) sail all along near the coast, though the voyage was thereby more tedious, which was the reason why three years were spent in it. And here, and here only, were to bc had all the commodities which Solomon fetched from Ophir, 1Ki 10:22 .

Four hundred and twenty talents: in all there came to the king four hundred and fifty talents, whereof it seems thirty talents were allowed by Solomon to Hiram and his men for the voyage, and so there were only four hundred and twenty that came clearly into the king’ s treasury.

Haydock: 1Ki 9:1 - Do

Do, regarding those buildings, Paralipomenon. (Menochius)

Haydock: 1Ki 9:2 - Gabaon

Gabaon; that is, "during the night," 2 Paralipomenon vii. 12. God had spoken to Solomon, by a prophet, while he was building the temple; (chap. vi. 11.; Haydock) unless that passage relate to the same time as that which is here recorded more in detail, and took place in the night, after Solomon had poured forth his most solemn prayer. (Calmet) ---

Others think that God deferred answering his petition for thirteen years, till Solomon was on the point of falling off from the observance of piety, that so he might be restrained more effectually. (Salien, the year before Christ 1011.) ---

Fire from heaven had sufficiently signified that his former request had been granted. (Menochius) ---

The context shews that the admonition was not sent till the palace was finished, (ver. 1, and 10.) in the 23rd year of Solomon. (Salien)

Haydock: 1Ki 9:4 - Simplicity of heart

Simplicity of heart. That is, in the sincerity and integrity of a single heart, as opposite to all double-dealing and deceit. (Challoner) ---

External worship alone will not be acceptable. (Worthington) ---

"God is worshipped by faith, hope, and charity." (St. Augustine, Ench. iii.)

Haydock: 1Ki 9:6 - But if

But if. This threat had been denounced by Moses, (Deuteronomy xxix. 24.) and was repeated by Jeremias, (xxii. 8.) when it was on the point of being put in execution. (Menochius)

Haydock: 1Ki 9:7 - Take away // Sight

Take away, by death or exile. (Haydock) ---

Sight. God is disposed to grant favours to those who approach his temples with piety. If they indulge their passions, he will suffer these holy places to be profaned, as a dreadful warning of his displeasure. The Jews enjoyed prosperity while they continued faithful. On their revolt, the ark was taken, the temple pillaged by Sesac, burnt by Nabuchodonosor, profaned by Antiochus, and destroyed by the Romans. (Calmet)

Haydock: 1Ki 9:8 - Example

Example. Hebrew, "at this house, on high," (or dedicated "to the most high;" Paralipomenon) "every," &c. (Haydock) ---

It shall be treated with no more regard than the high places of idols. (Calmet) ---

Though at present so much exalted, it shall be reduced to a heap of ruins, (Vatable) and destroyed. (Challoner)

Haydock: 1Ki 9:11 - Galilee

Galilee, the higher, which was nearer to the sea and the confines of Tyre; (Menochius) or rather the lower Galilee lay in this direction. (Calmet) ---

This was not a part of the country allotted to Israel, (Josue xix. 27.) but had been conquered: as Hiram gave the cities back, 2 Paralipomenon viii. 2. Solomon caused them to be rebuilt, and peopled by the Israelites. (Grotius) ---

If they had formed a part of his dominions before, he would not have had to send a colony thither. (Calmet) ---

Others think that he only ceded that country for a time to Hiram, till he should be indemnified. (Abulensis) (Tostat) (Menochius) (Tirinus) (Worthington) ---

The country belonged to the Lord, (Leviticus xxv. 13.) and could not be given away by the prince. In case it had been occupied by strangers, Solomon would have taken care that the Israelites should have the free exercise of their religion. But as Hiram rejected his offer, he would make him recompense by some other means; (Calmet) in ready money, ver. 14. (Josephus) (Tirinus)

Haydock: 1Ki 9:13 - Brother // Chabul

Brother. By this title the eastern kings addressed each other, chap. xx. 32., and 1 Machabees x. 18., and xi. 30. Solomon and Hiram always lived on good terms. (Calmet) ---

Chabul: that is, dirty or displeasing. (Challoner) ---

The latter signification is given by Josephus, from the Phœnician language. (Haydock) ---

The real meaning is uncertain. Some with the last mentioned author, place these cities in the vicinity of Tyre, south of Ptolemais, which is most probable; though St. Jerome says they were in the land of Basan, beyond the Jordan. (Calmet)

Haydock: 1Ki 9:15 - Offered // Heser // Gazer

Offered, or paid back to Hiram, for what he had lent. (Tirinus) ---

Hebrew, "And this is the reason of the levy (or tribute) which king Solomon imposed, in order to build," &c. (Haydock) ---

We have seen that Adoniram was at the head of this department, chap. v. 14. The people bore these burdens with patience, till the works of Mello gave Jeroboam an occasion of stirring them up to rebellion, chap. xi. 27. Mello was a palace, fortification, (Calmet) or bridge, erected in the vale, (Salien) from the palace to the temple, (Menochius) lying between Sion and the old Jerusalem. David had begun to build here, and Solomon perfected the works. Ezechias repaired the wall, 2 Paralipomenon xxxii. 5. In this palace Joas was slain, 4 Kings xii. 20. (Calmet) ---

Heser, or Asor, Josue xv. 23., and xix. 36. (Haydock) ---

There was a town of this name in the tribe of Juda, and another in that of Nephthali. ---

Gazer had been taken by Josue, but the Chanaanites had again made themselves masters of it.

Haydock: 1Ki 9:16 - Wife

Wife. This custom distinguished princes from common people, who paid a dowry to their intended bride, 2 Machabees i. 14. Philadelphus gave hid daughter Bernice to Antiochus, of Syria, with an immense dowry, which caused her to be styled Phernophorus. The influence of these royal wives was more extensive than that of others of meaner birth, as we find in the daughter of Pharao, Jezabel, Athalia, &c. (Calmet)

Haydock: 1Ki 9:17 - Nether

Nether, in the tribe of Benjamin. 2 Paralipomenon (viii. 5.) adds, the upper, which was a town of Ephraim. (Menochius)

Haydock: 1Ki 9:18 - Baalath // Palmira

Baalath. There were several towns of this name, Josue xix. 44. (Calmet) ---

Palmira. Hebrew Tamor, "a palm-tree." (Calmet) ---

But the d is preserved in the margin, as well as in some manuscripts, and in the ancient versions; and is read, Tadmor, in Chronicles. (Kennicott) ---

Protestants have also, "Tadmor, in the wilderness, in the land." (Haydock) ---

Le Clerc adds, "of Aram," or Syria of Soba, 2 Paralipomenon viii. 3, 4. Palmira, famous for its water and fertile soil, was the boundary of the Roman and Parthian empires, (Pliny, [Natural History?] v. 25.) surrounded on all sides by vast deserts, and built by Solomon for the advantage of travellers, a day's journey from the Euphrates. (Josephus, [Antiquities?] viii. 6.) ---

Superb ruins are still to be seen, and various pagan inscriptions, in Greek. There are others in an unknown language, which might relate to the Jewish or Christian affairs. See Phil. Transac. Oct. 1695. (Brun) ---

The city was destroyed by the emperor Aurelian. (Calmet)

Haydock: 1Ki 9:19 - That....himself // Chariots // Libanus

That....himself. Hebrew, "of store;" or to keep his treasures. (Haydock) ---

Literally, "of indigence," designed to counteract the effects of famine. Pharao obliged the Israelites to build such cities for him, (Exodus i. 11.) which are called cities of tabernacles. The word miscenoth is here rendered, were not walled. ---

Chariots. See chap. iv. 26. (Calmet) ---

Libanus, the temple, (St. Jerome, Trad.) or the palace. (Sa) ---

But these were both in Jerusalem. (Haydock) ---

Solomon built a great deal at the foot of Libanus, (Salien) as the defile was of great importance. We read of the tower of Libanus, Canticle of Canticles vii. 4. Travellers mention its ruins. (Gabriel. Sionita. p. 6.)

Haydock: 1Ki 9:21 - Day

Day. After the captivity, some were found who had perhaps come from Phœnicia, 1 Esdras ix. 1. Solomon reduced the natives of the country to the most abject condition, forcing them to work like slaves. (Josephus, [Antiquities?] viii. 6.) ---

Hebrew, "upon those, Solomon imposed a tribute of bond-service, until this day." (Haydock) ---

Esdras (1 Esdras ii. 58.) calls them who returned from captivity, the children of the servants of Solomon, 392. Their fathers were probably styled proselytes; and were in number, 153,600. See 1 Paralipomenon xxii. 2., and 2 Paralipomenon ii. 17. (Calmet)

Haydock: 1Ki 9:22 - Bondmen // Strangers

Bondmen. Paralipomenon, To serve in the king's works; for they were warriors, &c. The natural subjects performed the more honourable offices. (Haydock) ---

Strangers pay tribute, Matthew xvii. 24. Sesostris, king of Egypt, caused many temples to be erected after his expeditions, with this inscription: "No native laboured on them." (Diodorus i.)

Haydock: 1Ki 9:23 - Officers

Officers of the crown. There were 250 over the army, (Paralipomenon) or 3,300, (3,600, Paralipomenon) including those who presided over the proselytes, chap. v. 16. (Calmet) ---

These are employed while the temple was building. (Menochius)

Haydock: 1Ki 9:24 - Mello

Mello, taking it from the public, and adorning it with the most beautiful structures, for the honour and convenience of his queen. (Tirinus)

Haydock: 1Ki 9:25 - Year

Year, at the three great festivals, with peculiar solemnity, (Calmet) as well as holocausts every day, and on the sabbaths and new moons, 2 Paralipomenon viii. 13. See 2 Paralipomenon xxxi. 3. (Calmet) ---

He established funds for all these victims. (Menochius)

Haydock: 1Ki 9:26 - Fleet // Ailath

Fleet. Some ancient Latin editions have, (Haydock) "a name," or monument. (Worthington) ---

Ailath, to the east. See Numbers xxxiii. 13.

Haydock: 1Ki 9:27 - Fleet

Fleet, from Tyre, (Calmet) or from the island of the same name, in the Red Sea. (Grotius)

Haydock: 1Ki 9:28 - Ophir // Twenty

Ophir, in the East Indies; (Menochius) an island called Taprobana, or Sumatra; (Salien) or a country near the heads of the Euphrates and Tigris. (Calmet, Dissert.) ---

The variety of opinions is astonishing. Huet fixes upon Sophola, on the eastern coast of Africa; and supposes that the fleet of Hiram might proceed down a canal, which seems to have been formerly opened for a communication between the Mediterranean and the Red Sea. (Strabo i. 17., and ii.) (Du Hamel) ---

The various commodities might be procured either in Africa, or, on the voyage, in other countries. (Haydock) ---

Twenty. Paralipomenon reads fifty. The letter c (20) and n (50) may easily have been mistaken. (Huet) ---

The thirty talents might be the value of other parts of the cargo, or might be spent in repairs and wages. (Calmet) ---

The sum here mentioned might be also refined gold. (Menochius)

Gill: 1Ki 9:1 - And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the Lord // and the king's house // and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do

And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the Lord,.... Which was done in seven years, 1Ki 6:38.

and the king's house; his own palace, which was finished in thirteen years, 1Ki 7:1,

and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do; all his other buildings, the house for Pharaoh's daughter, the house of the forest of Lebanon, and may include his vineyards, gardens, orchards, and pools of water, made for his pleasure, Ecc 2:4 in which he succeeded and prospered, 2Ch 7:11.

Gill: 1Ki 9:2 - That the Lord appeared to Solomon the second time // as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon

That the Lord appeared to Solomon the second time,.... Junius and Tremellius read this verse with the following, to the end of the ninth, in a parenthesis, and render this clause, "for the Lord had appeared", &c. and Piscator translates it, "moreover the Lord appeared", &c. as beginning a distinct narrative from the former; and indeed if the words are to be connected with the preceding, as in our version, this appearance must be thirteen years after the building of the temple, which is not probable; but rather it was the night after the dedication of it, when an answer was returned to Solomon's prayer in the preceding chapter; for that it should be deferred twelve or thirteen years is not reasonable to suppose; and this appearance was the second of the kind and manner:

as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon; in a dream and a vision, and by night, 1Ki 3:5, see 2Ch 7:12.

Gill: 1Ki 9:3 - And the Lord said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication that thou hast made before me // I have hallowed this house which thou hast built // to put my name there for ever // and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually

And the Lord said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication that thou hast made before me,.... With delight and pleasure, and had accepted it; meaning the prayer recorded in the preceding chapter:

I have hallowed this house which thou hast built; by the cloud of glory filling it, and by fire descending from heaven, and consuming the sacrifices offered in it, 2Ch 7:1.

to put my name there for ever; there to grant his presence, so long as his pure worship should be continued in it; so the Targum adds,

"and my Shechinah or divine Majesty shall abide in it, if my will is done there continually:''

and mine eyes and mine heart shall be there perpetually; his eyes of Providence should be upon it, to watch over it, and protect it, and his worshippers in it; and he should have a cordial regard to the sacrifices there offered, and to the persons of the offerers, so long as they offered them in a right way, and to right ends and purposes.

Gill: 1Ki 9:4 - And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness. // to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments

And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness..... Who, though guilty of many sins and failings in life, yet was sincere and upright in the worship of God, never apostatized from it, or fell into idolatry, which is what is chiefly respected:

to do according to all that I have commanded thee, and wilt keep my statutes and my judgments; observe all the laws of God, moral, ceremonial, and judicial.

Gill: 1Ki 9:5 - Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever // as I promised unto David thy father, saying, there shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel

Then I will establish the throne of thy kingdom upon Israel for ever,.... In a succession in his posterity, until the coming of the Messiah:

as I promised unto David thy father, saying, there shall not fail thee a man upon the throne of Israel; not fail one of his posterity to sit upon it; see 2Sa 7:12.

Gill: 1Ki 9:6 - But if you shall at all turn from following me, you or your children // and will not keep my commandments and my statutes, which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them

But if you shall at all turn from following me, you or your children,.... From my worship, as the Targum; either Solomon or his successors, or the people of Israel and their posterity; should they turn their backs on God and his worship, meaning not in a single instance, or in some small degree; but as in the original, "if in turning ye turn" ^e, that is, utterly, and entirely, or wholly turn from him and his worship to other gods, as follows:

and will not keep my commandments and my statutes, which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them: neglecting the will and worship of God, go into idolatrous practices, as Solomon himself did.

Gill: 1Ki 9:7 - Then will I cut off Israel out of the land I have given them // and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight // and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people

Then will I cut off Israel out of the land I have given them,.... Suffer them to be carried captive into other lands, as the ten tribes were into Assyria, and the two tribes to Babylon; which is called a plucking them up by the roots in 2Ch 7:20.

and this house, which I have hallowed for my name, will I cast out of my sight: as it was when burnt by Nebuchadnezzar:

and Israel shall be a proverb and a byword among all people; both for their sins and for their miseries; see Deu 28:37, in 2Ch 7:20 the house or temple is said to be made a proverb of.

Gill: 1Ki 9:8 - And at this house which is high // everyone that passeth by it shall be astonished // and shall hiss // and they shall say, why hath the Lord done thus unto this land, and to this house

And at this house which is high,.... The house of the most High, as some render it, and in high esteem, fame, and glory, as well as it was built on an high hill, and was itself one hundred and twenty cubits high, 2Ch 3:4, the Targum is,

"and this house which was high shall be destroyed:''

everyone that passeth by it shall be astonished; at the ruins of the temple, and of the city of Jerusalem, which had been so magnificent:

and shall hiss; in scorn and derision of the people of Israel, rejoicing in their ruin:

and they shall say, why hath the Lord done thus unto this land, and to this house? or suffered it to be done, to lie thus in waste and ruins; a land in which it had been said he delighted, and looked unto from one end of the year to the other, and a house he had taken up his dwelling in; surely something more than ordinary, they suggest, must be the cause of all this.

Gill: 1Ki 9:9 - And they shall answer // because they forsook the Lord // who brought forth their fathers out of the land Egypt // and have taken hold upon other gods // and have worshipped them, and served them // therefore hath the Lord brought upon them all this evil

And they shall answer,.... Who were left in the land when others were carried captive, as were some by Nebuchadnezzar, and who were capable of making the following answer:

because they forsook the Lord; the worship of the Lord their God, as the Targum:

who brought forth their fathers out of the land Egypt; which is observed as an aggravation of their sin:

and have taken hold upon other gods: the gods of the people, as the Targum; of the Gentiles, who knew not the true God:

and have worshipped them, and served them: even idols of gold and silver, wood and stone; an instance of judicial blindness they were left unto, who had been favoured with a revelation from God:

therefore hath the Lord brought upon them all this evil; their idolatry was the cause of it, than which nothing is more provoking to God.

Gill: 1Ki 9:10 - And it came to pass at the end of twenty years

And it came to pass at the end of twenty years,.... From the time Solomon first began to build: when Solomon had built the two houses, the house of the Lord, and the king's house; the first was seven years in building, and the other thirteen; in all twenty.

Gill: 1Ki 9:11 - (Now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees // and with gold, according to all his desire) // that then Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee

(Now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees,.... For the building of both his houses; see 1Ki 5:8,

and with gold, according to all his desire): which is not before mentioned, and accounts for it from whence Solomon had his gold; if he made no use, as some think he did not, of what his father left him; see 1Ki 7:51 with which he covered several parts of the temple, and made several vessels in it. Hiram traded to Ophir, and had it from thence; and he could supply Solomon with it, and did, before he sent a navy thither:

that then Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee; that is, by or near it, for they were not in the land of Canaan; for then Solomon could not have disposed of them, being allotted and belonging to one of the tribes of Israel, and part of the Lord's inheritance; but they were upon the borders, particularly on the borders of Asher, if Cabul in Jos 19:27, can be thought to be the same with these; though some think that Solomon did not give Hiram the possession of these cities, but the royalties and revenues of them, their produce until the debt was paid: but they rather seem to be a gratuity, and a full grant of them, and might be cities which David had conquered, and taken out of the hands of the ancient inhabitants of them; and so Solomon had a right to dispose of them, being left him by his father; for it is plain as yet they were not inhabited by Israelites; see 2Ch 8:2. They are by a Jewish writer ^f said to be twenty two, very wrongly.

Gill: 1Ki 9:12 - And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him // and they pleased him not

And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him,.... For these cities, being in or near Galilee, were not far from Tyre:

and they pleased him not; being either out of repair, as some think; see 2Ch 8:2 or the ground barren, and unfruitful; which is not likely, being in a very fruitful country, as the tribes on which they bordered were: but they were not agreeable to him, they did not suit with the disposition of him and his people, who were given not to husbandry, but to merchandise; and the land about these would require a good deal of pains and labour to till, which they were not used to.

Gill: 1Ki 9:13 - And he said // what cities are these which thou hast given me, my brother // and he called them the land of Cabul unto this day

And he said,.... By letter to him:

what cities are these which thou hast given me, my brother? so he called him, being not only his neighbour, but his ally, in friendship and covenant with him; and this he said of them not by way of complaint, or contempt, as unworthy of his acceptance; for so munificent a prince as Solomon would never offer to a king to whom he was so much obliged anything mean and contemptible; but as being unsuitable to him, however valuable they might be in themselves, or of advantage to others:

and he called them the land of Cabul unto this day; or rather the words should be rendered impersonally, "they were called so"; for Hiram could not call them by this name to the times of the writer of this book; nor is there any reason to think he would give them any name at all, and much less a contemptible one, as this is thought to be, when he did not choose to accept of them. Some interpret ^g the word shut up, or unfruitful, sandy, dirty, clayey; so in the Talmud ^h it is said to be a sandy land, and called Cabul, because a man's foot was plunged in it up to his ankles, and is represented as unfruitful. Josephus ⁱ says, in the Phoenician tongue it signifies "not pleasing", which agrees with what Hiram says, 1Ki 9:12. Hillerus ^k interprets it "as nothing", they being as nothing to Hiram, of no use to him, whatever they might be to others; and therefore he restored them to Solomon, 2Ch 8:2, which seems to be the best sense of the word. They are the same with Decapolis, Mat 4:25 so called from ten cities therein ^l.

Gill: 1Ki 9:14 - And Hiram sent to the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold.

And Hiram sent to the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold. Not after the cities had been given him, but before; and it may be rendered "had sent" ^m, and is the sum of the gold he furnished him with for the temple, 1Ki 9:11 which, according to Brerewood ⁿ, was 540,000 pounds of our money; and, according to another ^o writer, it amounted to 1,466,400 ducats of gold, taking a talent at 12,220 ducats.

Gill: 1Ki 9:15 - And this is the reason of the levy which King Solomon raised // it was for to build the house of the Lord // and his own house // and Millo // and the wall of Jerusalem // and Hazor // and Megiddo // and Gezer

And this is the reason of the levy which King Solomon raised,.... Both of men to work, 1Ki 5:13, and of money to defray the expense:

it was for to build the house of the Lord; the temple:

and his own house; or palace:

and Millo; which he repaired: See Gill on 1Sa 5:9.

and the wall of Jerusalem; which, as Abarbinel says, was a large building, there being three walls one within another:

and Hazor; a city in the tribe of Naphtali, and which had been a royal city with the Canaanites; see Jos 11:1.

and Megiddo; which was in the tribe of Manasseh, Jos 17:11.

and Gezer; which was in the tribe of Ephraim, and formerly a royal city of the Canaanites, Jos 10:33.

Gill: 1Ki 9:16 - For Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up, and taken Gezer, and burnt it with fire // and slain the Canaanites that dwelt in the city // and given it for a present unto his daughter, Solomon's wife

For Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up, and taken Gezer, and burnt it with fire,.... Egypt lay lower than Canaan, and therefore Pharaoh is said to go up to it; what moved him to it is not certain; whether he went of himself provoked, or was moved to it by Solomon, who had married his daughter; however, so he did, and took the place, and burnt it:

and slain the Canaanites that dwelt in the city: for though it was given to the tribe of Ephraim, yet they could not drive the Canaanites out of it, who seem to have remained in it to this time; see Jos 16:10.

and given it for a present unto his daughter, Solomon's wife; not as a dowry with her, but as a present to her; perhaps some time after marriage.

Gill: 1Ki 9:17 - And Solomon built Gezer // and Bethhoron the nether

And Solomon built Gezer,.... Rebuilt it, it having been burnt, at least great part of it, by Pharaoh when he took it:

and Bethhoron the nether; and the upper also, 2Ch 8:5, which belonged to the tribe of Ephraim, and were on the borders of it, between that and Benjamin, Jos 16:3.

Gill: 1Ki 9:18 - And Baalath // and Tadmor in the wilderness, in the land

And Baalath,.... A city in the tribe of Dan, Jos 19:44.

and Tadmor in the wilderness, in the land; or "Tamar", as in the Cetib, or Scriptural reading; for we go according to the marginal reading, and so Thamato in Ptolemy ^p; and is thought by some to be the same with Tamar in Eze 47:19, which Jerom there says is Palmyra. Tamar signifies a palm tree, from whence this city had its name Palmyra, the situation of which place agrees with this; hence we read both in Ptolemy ^q and Pliny ^r of the Palmyrene deserts: the ruins of it are to be seen to this day, and of it this account is given; that it is enclosed on three sides with long ridges of mountains, which open towards the east gradually, to the distance of about an hour's riding; but to the south stretches a vast plain, beyond the reach of the eye; the air is good, but the soil exceeding barren; nothing green to be seen therein, save some few palm trees in the gardens, and here and there about the town; and from these trees, I conceive, says my author, it obtained its name both in Hebrew and in Latin: it appears to have been of a large extent, by the space now taken up by the ruins; but there are no footsteps of any wall remaining, nor is it possible to judge of the ancient figure of the place. The present inhabitants, as they are poor, miserable, dirty people, so they have shut themselves up, to the number of about thirty or forty families, in little huts made of dirt, within the walls of a spacious court, which enclosed a most magnificent Heathen temple ^s. Benjamin of Tudela says ^t, it is situated in a wilderness, far from any habitable place, and is four days' journey from Baalath before mentioned; which place he takes to be the same with Baalbek, in the valley of Lebanon, built by Solomon for Pharaoh's daughter; which, according to the Arabic geographer ^u, was situated at the foot of Mount Lebanon; and Tadmor seems to be in the land of Hamathzobah, 2Ch 8:3.

Gill: 1Ki 9:19 - And all the cities of store that Solomon had // and cities for his chariots // and cities for his horsemen // and that which Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem // and in Lebanon // and in all the land of his dominions

And all the cities of store that Solomon had,.... In which were his magazines of corn, arms, and ammunition; and these were built in Hamath, 2Ch 8:4.

and cities for his chariots; chariots of war, iron chariots, which were kept in times of peace, in case of necessity, of which Solomon had 1400, 1Ki 10:26,

and cities for his horsemen; of which he had 12,000, a standing cavalry:

and that which Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem; besides the temple and his own palace before mentioned; see Ecc 2:4,

and in Lebanon; the house of the forest of Lebanon, which Junius on 1Ki 7:2 thinks he built after he had taken Hamathzobah, a royal city of Lebanon; see 2Ch 8:3 or fortresses on Mount Lebanon, which was the northern border of his kingdom:

and in all the land of his dominions; where he might repair or fortify cities, or erect new forts for the safety of his kingdom; now for the doing of all this was the levy both of men and money raised, and of whom next follows.

Gill: 1Ki 9:20 - And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites

And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites,.... Who were not destroyed in the times of Joshua, or since, but dwelt in several cities of the land of Israel from those times; see Jdg 1:1, which were not of the children of Israel; not natives of the land of Israel, though they might be proselytes, at least some of them.

Gill: 1Ki 9:21 - Their children that were left after them in the land // whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy // upon these did Solomon levy a tribute of bond service unto this day

Their children that were left after them in the land,.... The posterity of those left unsubdued in the times of Joshua:

whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy; in later times, though now it is thought by some it was not for want of power, but because they had made a covenant with them, as the Gibeonites did, and therefore they could not, because it would have been a breach of covenant to have destroyed them; see 2Ch 8:8,

upon these did Solomon levy a tribute of bond service unto this day; not a tribute of money, which being poor they were not able to pay, but of service, and which being once laid on was continued, and even to the time of the writing of this book.

Gill: 1Ki 9:22 - But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen // but they were men of war // and his servants // and his princes // and his captains // and rulers of his chariots and his horsemen

But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen,.... For that was contrary to the law; they might be hired servants, but not bond servants, Lev 25:39.

but they were men of war; which he kept in pay, a standing army, maintained even in time of peace, in case of necessity, should an enemy attempt to invade or surprise them:

and his servants; in his family and court, who had offices and employments there:

and his princes; ministers of state, counsellors, governors of cities, &c.

and his captains; officers in his army:

and rulers of his chariots and his horsemen; war chariots and troopers; see 1Ki 9:19.

Gill: 1Ki 9:23 - These were the chief of the officers over Solomon's work // five hundred and fifty which bore rule over the people that wrought in the work

These were the chief of the officers over Solomon's work,.... In building the above houses and cities:

five hundred and fifty which bore rule over the people that wrought in the work; in 2Ch 8:10 they are said to be but two hundred and fifty; now it may be observed, as is by the Jewish writers, that there were three sorts of those rulers; the lowest rank and order of them consisted of 3300, the next of three hundred which were over the 3300, and being numbered with them made 3600, 2Ch 2:18 and the highest rank of them were two hundred and fifty, and the middlemost and highest being joined together, as they are here, made five hundred and fifty. Abarbinel reconciles the places thus, the two hundred and fifty were only over those that wrought in the temple; and the five hundred and fifty here were those that were over such that were employed in the various parts of the kingdom.

Gill: 1Ki 9:24 - But Pharaoh's daughter came up out of the city of David // then did he build Millo

But Pharaoh's daughter came up out of the city of David,.... Where he placed her when he first married her, until he had finished his buildings, 1Ki 3:1, which being done he brought her from thence unto her house, which Solomon had built for her; the reason of which is given, not only because it was the house of David, but because it was holy by the ark being there for some time; and therefore he did not judge it proper that his wife, an Egyptian woman, and sometimes in her impurity, should dwell there; see 2Ch 8:11,

then did he build Millo: this being particularly repeated from 1Ki 9:15, and following upon what is said of Pharaoh's daughter, has led many Jewish writers to conclude her house was built at Millo; and indeed, without supposing this, it is hard to conceive why it should be observed here; the Targum on 2Ch 8:11 calls her name Bithiah.

Gill: 1Ki 9:25 - And three times in a year did Solomon offer burnt offerings and peace offerings upon the altar which he built unto the Lord // and he burnt incense upon the altar that was before the Lord // so he finished the house

And three times in a year did Solomon offer burnt offerings and peace offerings upon the altar which he built unto the Lord,.... The brasen altar, the altar of burnt offering, which stood in the court of the priests, and by whom he offered. The three times were the feasts of passover, pentecost, and tabernacles, as explained in 2Ch 8:13, not that these were the only offerings, or these the only times he offered; for he offered all other sacrifices, and at all other times commanded in the law of Moses, as on sabbaths and new moons, as expressed in the above place:

and he burnt incense upon the altar that was before the Lord; the altar of incense, which stood in the holy place, right beside the most holy, in which was the ark, the symbol of the divine Presence; not that Solomon burnt incense in person, but by the priests, whom he furnished with incense; for no king might offer incense, as the case of Uzziah shows:

so he finished the house; which respects not the building of it, that had been observed before, but the service of it; as he had provided all vessels and utensils for the furniture of it, and all things to be used in them; as sacrifices for the altar of burnt offering, incense for the altar of incense, bread for the shewbread table, and oil for the lamps; so he appointed the courses of the priests, Levites, and porters, to do their duty, who went through every part of service assigned them, and completed the whole; see 2Ch 8:14.

Gill: 1Ki 9:26 - And King Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber // which is beside Elath, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom

And King Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber,.... Which was one of the stations of the Israelites, near the wilderness of Sin, or Paran, Num 33:35, it signifies the backbone of a man; and it is said ^w the ridge of rocks before this port were in that form, covered by the sea at high water, and sticking up with various points in a line when it was low. Josephus says ^x in his time it was called Berenice, which is placed by Mela ^y between the Heroopolitic bay, and the promontory Strobilus, or Pharan. It is thought probable ^z to be the same with that which is called by the Arabs Meenah-el-Dsahab, the port of gold, called Dizahab, Deu 1:1, which stands upon the shore of the Arabic gulf, about two or three days' distance from Mount Sinai; though by others ^a thought to be the same the Arabs call Calzem, where was a great quantity of wood fit for building ships. It is further described,

which is beside Elath, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom; and when Edom was subdued by David, this port fell into his hands, and so was in the possession of Solomon; and there being plenty of timber in the parts adjacent, and this being a port in the Red sea, Solomon chose it as proper place to build ships in. Elath, near to which was, is the same the Elanitic bay had its name from; or which See Gill on Deu 2:8. Trajan, the Roman emperor, formed a navy in the Red sea ^b, that by it he might ravage and waste the borders of India; and here it seems Solomon's navy went; see 1Ki 9:28.

Gill: 1Ki 9:27 - And Hiram sent in his navy his servants // shipmen that had knowledge of the sea // with the servants of Solomon

And Hiram sent in his navy his servants,.... And, according to 2Ch 8:18, ships also but how he could send them from Tyre, which lay in the Mediterranean sea, to the above ports in the Red sea, without going a great way round, is not easy to conceive. Perhaps, as Gussetins conjectures ^c, Hiram had a port in the Red sea for building and sending out ships, for the sake of his eastern navigation, and from thence he sent them to Solomon's ports in the same sea; but if what R. Japhet ^d observes is true, that the Red sea is mixed with the sea of Joppa by means of the river Rhinocurura, as is remarked by a learned man ^e and who approves of the observation, and thinks it does not deserve the censure Dr. Lightfoot ^f passes on it. If this, I say, can be supported, the difficulty is removed: so Abarbinel asserts ^g, that a branch of the Nile flows into the Red sea: and another, passing through Alexandria, runs into the Mediterranean sea. This is the first navy of ships we read of; in the construction of which, as well as in the art of navigation, the Tyrians no doubt were greatly assisting to Solomon's servants, and which appears by what follows; and they are said ^h to be the first that made use of ships; and the invention of ships of burden, or merchant ships, such as these were, is by Pliny ⁱ ascribed to Hippus the Tyrian: and the Tyrians were famous for merchandise, which they could not carry on with foreign nations without shipping; see Isa 23:8, the servants Hiram sent in Solomon's navy were

shipmen that had knowledge of the sea; of sea coasts and ports, of the manner of guiding and managing ships at sea, and of the whole art of navigation, so far as then known, for which the Tyrians were famous; see Eze 27:3,

with the servants of Solomon; to instruct and assist them in naval affairs, they not having been used thereunto.

Gill: 1Ki 9:28 - And they came to Ophir // and fetched from thence gold four hundred and twenty talents

And they came to Ophir,.... About which place there are various opinions; some take it to be the little island of Zocatora, on the eastern coast of Africa, at a small distance from the straits of Babelmandel; others the island of Ceylon; others Sofala in Africa; some ^k Peru in America; Vatablus the island of Hispaniola in the West Indies, discovered by Columbus, and who thought ^l himself that he had found the land of Ophir, because of the quantity of gold in it; others the southern part of Arabia; but the most reasonable opinion is, says my author ^m, that it is a rich country in Malacca, which is a peninsula in the true Red sea (that part of the ocean which divides Asia from Africa), known by the name of the "golden Chersonese", and which agrees with Josephus ⁿ; and at twelve leagues from Malacca there is a very high mountain, which by the natives is called Ophir, and is reported to be, or to have been, very rich in gold, though at present only some tin mines are worked there; and Kircher ^o says the word Ophir is a Coptic or Egyptian word, by which the ancient Egyptians used to call that India which contains the kingdoms of Malabar, Zeilan, the golden Chersonese, and, the islands belonging to it, Sumatra, Molucca, Java, and other neighbouring golden islands. So Varrerius ^p thinks that all that coast in which are contained Pegu, Malaca, and Somatra, is Ophir; which places, besides gold, abound with elephants, apes, and parrots. In the island of Sumatra gold is now found, especially in Achin, in great plenty; in which is a mountain, called the "golden mountain", near the mines ^q Reland ^r takes Ophir to be the country round about a city called Oupara or Suphara, in the East Indies, where now stands Goa, the most famous mart in all India at this day for many of those things Solomon traded thither for. Though after all perhaps there was no such place originally as Ophir in India; only the gold brought from thence was like that of Ophir in Arabia, and therefore they called the place so from whence it was had; see Job 22:24.

and fetched from thence gold four hundred and twenty talents, and brought it to King Solomon; which according to Brerewood ^s amounted to 1,890,000 pounds of our money; and according to another writer ^t 5,132,400 ducats of gold. Abarbinel says a talent of gold was equal to 12,300 Venetian ducats; in 2Ch 8:18 it is said, that four hundred and fifty talents of gold were brought to Solomon; perhaps thirty might be expended in the voyage, or paid to Hiram's servants for their wages, as some Jewish writers observe; or in the bulk or ore it might be four hundred and fifty talents, but when purified only four hundred and twenty, as Grotius remarks; either way removes the difficulty; though some think different voyages are respected here and there; of the gold of Ophir frequent mention is made in Scripture.