2 Chronicles 8:1

And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, wherein Solomon had built the house of the LORD, and his own house,

EXPOSITORY (ENGLISH BIBLE)

Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers

(1) And it came to pass.—The verb is identical with 1Kings 9:10, slightly abbreviated.

Wherein.—When. The “twenty years” are reckoned from the fourth year of the reign (1Kings 6:6), and include seven years during which the Temple was building, and thirteen during which the palace was built (1Kings 6:38; 1Kings 7:1).

Benson Commentary

A.M. 3012. — B.C. 992.

Solomon’s buildings, 2 Chronicles 8:1-6. His workmen and officers, 2 Chronicles 8:7-10. He settles his wife, 2 Chronicles 8:11. Fixes the method of the temple-service, 2 Chronicles 8:12-16. His trade, 2 Chronicles 8:17, 2 Chronicles 8:18.

2 Chronicles 8:2. The cities which Huram had restored — Which Solomon gave to Hiram, but which, not being pleased with them, he restored to him again, 1 Kings 9:12. Solomon built them — That is, rebuilt them, and placed his own subjects in them.

2 Chronicles 8:4. He built Tadmor — For the explanation of this and the following verses, see notes on 1 Kings 9:17-18, &c.

2 Chronicles 8:11. Unto the house which he had built — This house he had built for her, because the ark was now in the house of David, which therefore ought to be kept pure and free from every danger and appearance of pollution. For though Pharaoh’s daughter was proselyted to the Jewish religion, and had renounced idolatry, it is not likely that both she and all her servants had embraced the whole law of Moses; and therefore they might many ways defile a place made sacred by that symbol of the divine presence.

2 Chronicles 8:14. So had David the man of God commanded — David is here called the man of God, as Moses had been, because he was a prophet divinely inspired, and was both instructed and authorized of God to make these establishments. Hence his commands are represented as being the commands of God. And Solomon, though a wise and great man, and the builder of the temple, did not attempt to amend, alter, or add to, what the man of God had commanded in God’s name, but closely adhered to it, and used his authority to have it duly observed.

2 Chronicles 8:15-16. They departed not from the commandment of the king — He obeyed God’s commands enjoined by David, in God’s name, and by inspiration of God’s Spirit, and therefore all obeyed his orders. Now all the work of Solomon was prepared — All the materials were procured, and in all points fitted and completed beforehand. So the house of God was perfected — This is now said, because the service of the temple was now put into this good order. The work was the main matter, not the place: the temple was unfinished till all this was done.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

8:1 - 18 Solomon's buildings and trade. - It sometimes requires more wisdom and resolution to govern a family in the fear of God, than to govern a kingdom with reputation. The difficulty is increased, when a man has a hinderance instead of a help meet in the wife of his bosom. Solomon kept up the holy sacrifices, according to the law of Moses. In vain had the altar been built, in vain had fire come down from heaven, if sacrifices had not been constantly brought. Spiritual sacrifices are required of us, which we are to bring daily and weekly; it is good to be in a settled method of devotion. When the service of the temple was put into good order, it is said, The house of the Lord was perfected. The work was the main matter, not the place; the temple was unfinished till all this was done. Canaan was a rich country, and yet must send to Ophir for gold The Israelites were a wise people, but must be beholden to the king of Tyre for men that had knowledge of the seas. Grace, and not gold, is the best riches, and acquaintance with God and his law, the best knowledge. Leaving the children of this world to scramble for the toys of this world, may we, as the children of God, lay up our treasure in heaven, that where our treasure is, our hearts also may be.

Barnes' Notes on the Bible

Compare the references to 1 Kings.

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

CHAPTER 8

2Ch 8:1-6. Solomon's Buildings.Solomon’s buildings, 2 Chronicles 8:1-6. The heathen who remained in the land he maketh tributaries; but the Israelites rulers, 2 Chronicles 8:7-11. His yearly solemn sacrifices: he appointeth to the priests and Levites their places, 2 Chronicles 8:12-16. The navy fetcheth gold from Ophir, 2 Chronicles 8:17,18.

No text from Poole on this verse.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible

And it came to pass at the end of twenty years,.... See Gill on 1 Kings 9:10.

Geneva Study Bible

And it came to pass at the end of {a} twenty years, wherein Solomon had built the house of the LORD, and his own house,

(a) Signifying that he was 20 years in building them.

EXEGETICAL (ORIGINAL LANGUAGES)

Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges

Ch. 2 Chronicles 8:1-6 (cp. 1 Kings 9:10-11; 1 Kings 9:17-19). Solomon’s Cities

1. twenty years] Cp. 1 Kings 6:38; 1 Kings 7:1.

Pulpit Commentary

Verse 1. - (parallel, 1 Kings 9:10). - Twenty years, wherein Solomon had built the house of the Lord, and his own house. The description is intended to be, what it is, chronologically exact. Four years of Solomon had passed when he began the Lord's house, seven were spent in building it, thirteen in finishing and furnishing it, and in building, finishing, and furnishing the king's house - in all twenty-four years. 2 Chronicles 8:1

Keil and Delitzsch Biblical Commentary on the Old Testament

The city-building. - 2 Chronicles 8:1. The date, "at the end of twenty years, when Solomon ... had built," agrees with that in 1 Kings 9:10. The twenty years are to be reckoned from the commencement of the building of the temple, for he had spent seven years in the building of the temple, and thirteen years in that of his palace (1 Kings 6:38; 1 Kings 7:1).