2 Chronicles 2:3-10

The message here recorded, which Solomon sent to Hiram, is much more particularly related than the parallel one in the book of the Kings. I beg the Reader to mark this. There is very great beauty, as well as piety, in that part of his address, in which he endeavors to impress upon the mind of Hiram suitable ideas of the greatness of the Lord God of Israel. He was asking favors of the king of Tyre; and the king of Tyre, for ought we know to the contrary, had but slender knowledge, if any, concerning Israel's God. Yet Solomon refrains not from magnifying the Lord God of Israel. He plainly tells Hiram, that his God is above all gods; that none was worthy, none was able to build an habitation suitable for his honour; that the heavens and the heaven of heavens could not contain him. And though Solomon doth not say it in so many words, yet he as good as intimates, that, if so great a king as Solomon could not be worthy to build this house, what ought Hiram to think of himself, whose revenues and dominions were small and contemptible, compared to Solomon's? It is not said what effect this message had upon the mind of Hiram, as it concerned his own everlasting welfare. It wrought so far indeed with the king of Tyre, that he readily granted all he asked. This he might do from policy. But whether it went further, to the conversion of his soul to God, must be left undetermined by us. We may however thus far observe upon it, that when we have done all we can to hold up to others the glories, the loveliness, the beauties of Jesus, in order to win their affections to our beloved, if their hearts be not enamored, ours will be the more refreshed with every renewed opportunity of speaking of his love.