2 Chronicles 2:11-16

Some have thought that Hiram was one of that class of people, who were Proselytes to the Jewish religion. There were same who were permitted to worship in the gates, or outer courts of Israel. But I do not think from his letter, in ascribing blessedness to Solomon's God for having set him on the throne of his father, that this is sufficient to draw the conclusion. This might be complimentary. However, whether he was, or was not, thus far a believer in the God of Israel, yet he was well affected to Solomon, in granting him his request. How many are there whom the Lord will make use of as instruments in building churches and chapels to his glory; but who feel no predilection to the person of Jesus himself. It is an awful thought! And to carry it further: how many have been led to put forth an helping hand for the promotion of others salvation, whose lives have given no proofs that they have been anxious for their own! A class of them our Lord himself describes, who are represented by him at the last day as saying; Have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? but of whom Jesus will disclaim all knowledge, as to any vital communion between himself and them! Reader! of all melancholy thoughts this is the greatest. That a man should preach Jesus: should be commissioned by that preaching, (or prophesying, as it is called) to be an instrument to a sinner's conversion, in leading him from the power of the enemy! What work can be more wonderful! and yet he himself made no partaker of the grace; but simply, like a water pipe, to convey to others, and never refreshed, nor desiring refreshment himself! Matthew 7:22. The envious workman which Hiram sent to Solomon, of whose genealogy the Holy Ghost hath been pleased to give some account, deserves a little notice. He was by the mother's side of the tribe of Dan it seems, and his father a Tyrian. I do not say so; but yet I think there is somewhat in it worth remarking, that in the building of this temple, the master workman should have sprung both from Jew and Gentile. Was it thy pleasure, dearest Jesus, as this temple was thy type, that thou wouldest have it constructed by one that belonged to both thy families? Didst thou really, blessed Lord, mean thereby to give thy poor Gentile church a sweet thought, that as we know thine heart, and thy love towards us poor Gentiles was from everlasting, thou wouldest in this instance, however trifling it may seem to some, yet manifest to others that thou hast loved us with an everlasting love! Methinks I hear thee say, and from this mark showing it also, I know the thoughts that I think toward you saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end. Precious Jesus! oh! that my thoughts were always on thee, as thy thoughts have been towards thy people! Jeremiah 29:11.