Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
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1 Kings
Book: 1 Kings
Chapter: 9
Overview:
God's answer to
Solomon.
(1-9) The presents of
Solomon and
Hiram.
(10-14) Solomon's buildings, His trade.
(15-28)
1-9 God warned
Solomon, now he had newly built and dedicated
the
Temple, that he and his people might not be high-minded, but
fear. After all the services we can perform, we stand upon the
same terms with the
Lord as before. Nothing can purchase for us
liberty to
Sin, nor would the true believer desire such a
licence. He would rather be chastened of the
Lord, than be
allowed to go
On with ease and prosperity in
Sin.
10-14 Solomon gave
Hiram twenty cities.
Hiram did not like
them. If
Solomon would gratify him, let it be in his own
element,
By becoming his partner in trade, as he did. See how
the
Providence of
God suits this
Earth to the various tempers of
men, and the dispositions of men to the
Earth, and all for the
good of mankind in general.
15-28 Here is a further account of
Solomon's greatness. He
began at the right
End, for he built
God's
House first, and
finished that before he began his own; then
God blessed him, and
he prospered in all his other buildings. Let
Piety begin, and
profit follow; leave pleasure to the last. Whatever pains we
take for the
Glory of
God, and to profit others, we are likely
to have the advantage.
Canaan, the holy land, the
Glory of all
lands, had
No Gold in it; which shows that the best produce is
that which is for the present support of
Life, our own and
others; such things did
Canaan produce.
Solomon got much
By his
merchandise, and yet has directed us to a better trade, within
reach of the poorest.
Wisdom is better than the merchandise of
Silver, and the gain thereof than fine
Gold, Pr 3:14.