John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 2. And Solomon sent to Hiram , etc.] A letter, either by the hand of his ambassadors when they returned, as Kimchi thinks, or by ambassadors Solomon sent on purpose. Josephus appeals to the Tyrian archives for the genuineness of these letters that passed between Hiram and Solomon; and Eupolemus, an Heathen writer has both this which Solomon sent to Hiram, and that which Hiram sent in answer to it, which agree with those in the sacred records: saying : as follows. Ver. 3 . Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the Lord his God , etc.] As he designed, and was desirous of; and which Hiram might know not only by common fame, but from David himself, between whom there was an intercourse, and that in relation to cedars for building, which David had of Hiram, ( 2 Chronicles 2:3); for the wars which were about him on every side ; or warriors, as the Targum, the Philistines, Moabites, Edomites, and Syrians: until the Lord put them under the soles of his feet ; made them subject and tributary to him, as he did at length, (see 2 Samuel 7:1 8:1), etc. so the “Cetib”, or textual reading, is; but the “Keri”, or marginal reading, is, “under the soles of my feet”; that is, Solomon’s, which agrees with what follows; it was true of both.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-9 - Here is Solomon's design to build a temple. There is no adversary, n Satan, so the word is; no instrument of Satan to oppose it, or to divert from it. Satan does all he can, to hinder temple work. When there is no evil abroad, then let us be ready and active in that whic is good, and get forward. Let God's promises quicken our endeavours And all outward skill and advantages should be made serviceable to the interests of Christ's kingdom. It Tyre supplies Israel with craftsmen Israel will supply Tyre with corn, Eze 27:17. Thus, by the wis disposal of Providence, one country has need of another, and is benefitted by another, that there may be dependence on one another, to the glory of God.
Original Hebrew וישׁלח7971 שׁלמה8010 אל413 חירם2438 לאמר׃559
