Hiram. Josephus says, that the temple was built in the 11th year of this prince. He must therefore have been the son of David's friend, as the former had sent artificers to build David's house, (2 Kings v. 11.; Calmet) above 30 years before. But there may be a mistake in the number, as the Scripture... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wars. Many interpreters assert that this was the real impediment, (Tostat; Salien, &c.) rather than the blood, which David had already spilt, 2 Kings vii., and 1 Paralipomenon xxii. 8._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Adversary. Literally, "Satan." Adad of Idumea, and another of Syria, and Jeroboam, began to molest Solomon, only towards the end of his reign, chap. xi. 25._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Libanus. It belonged to Israel, since the victory of David, 2 Kings x. 18. Solomon built some fortresses on the mountain, chap. ix. 19. The cedar-trees grow chiefly towards Phenicia, above Biblos. They bear a great resemblance with fir-trees, and grow in a pyramidical form. The wood is hard and bit... [ Continue Reading ]
_Lord (Jehova) God "of Israel," as it is expressed, 2 Paralipomenon ii. 12. (Haydock) --- This pagan prince adored and erected temples and altars in honour of Baal, Astarte, and Hercules; (Josephus, &c.) yet he did not hesitate to acknowledge the God of Israel, as he supposed that there was a god fo... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fir-trees. Some take these to be another species of cedars, as they say fir is too slender and corruptible; (Martin, &c.) and Solomon had not asked for it, ver. 6.; though he does in 2 Paralipomenon ii. 8, where (Haydock) the word is translated archeuthina, "juniper-trees," by the Septuagint and St... [ Continue Reading ]
_There. Joppe was fixed upon, as the port nearest Jerusalem, 2 Paralipomenon ii. 16. The trees were squared and rolled, (Calmet) or dragged (Haydock) from the mountain-top to the river Adonis, or the plain of Biblos, and then sent in floats by sea. (Calmet) --- Household, for the workmen employed in... [ Continue Reading ]
_Wheat, "ground or beaten." (Hebrew; Paralipomenon) (Haydock) --- By comparing this passage with chap. iv. 22, we may see how much the court of Solomon surpassed that of Hiram. The former consumed 90 measures of flour a day; and 20,000 of wheat sufficed for the Tyrian prince's family a whole year. -... [ Continue Reading ]
_Levy, or tribute. The men had only to procure stones, as the Tyrians had engaged to do all which regarded the wood. (Calmet) --- These were Israelites. (Menochius)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Mountain of Libanus. (Calmet) --- Paralipomenon mountains: but the Hebrew is singular in both places. They were all proselytes or strangers._... [ Continue Reading ]
_Three hundred. In 2 Paralipomenon (ii. 2., and 18,) we read six hundred; (Haydock) as there are 300 superior officers included. (Calmet) (Menochius) (Sa, &c.) --- But these 3600 are all overseers. (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Fountain, which did not appear. (Calmet) --- What sort would, therefore, be chosen for the most conspicuous parts of the temple? (Haydock)_... [ Continue Reading ]
_Giblians. Ezechiel (xxvii. 9,) commends them for building ships. Giblos of Gebal is supposed to be the town, which profane authors style Biblos, at the foot of Libanus. Ptolemy also mentions Gabala, to the east of Tyre. (Calmet)_... [ Continue Reading ]
CHAPTER V.... [ Continue Reading ]