2. Further evidences of God’s blessing 9:10-28Somewhat after the mid-point of Solomon’s 40-year reign, God was blessing him for his faithfulness. What the writer described in this section took place after Solomon had completed his major building projects in Jerusalem, which took about 20 years. read more
Solomon’s public works 9:15-19Solomon was powerful enough to conscript laborers to build the Millo and a wall around Jerusalem. The Millo (lit. filling) evidently refers to the terraces on the east side of Mt. Zion (cf. 2 Samuel 5:9). Solomon enlarged these so they connected the City of David with the temple and palace site. He also expanded the wall that encircled the City of David so it included the temple and palace complex to the north thus doubling the size of the city (1 Kings... read more
God’s Response to Solomon’s Prayer. Solomon and Hiram1. When.. finished] The Temple does not seem to have been dedicated until all the king’s buildings were completed, the Temple and Palace being probably included within a single wall and regarded as a unity. In 1 Kings 9:3-9 is contained the divine response to the prayer offered by Solomon at the dedication festival.3. Mine eyes.. perpetually] Though God’s care extends over all His creation, yet those are nearest to His heart who render to Him... read more
(17) Beth-horon the nether.—The name “Beth-horon” (“the house of caves,”) was given to two small towns or villages (still called Beit-ûr), near Gezer, commanding the steep and rugged pass from the maritime plain, celebrated for three great victories of Israel—the great victory of Joshua (Joshua , 10), the victory of Judas Maccabæus (1Ma. 3:13-24), and the last victory of the Jews over the Roman army of Cestius Gallus, before the fall of Jerusalem (Josephus, Wars of the Jews, ii. 19). The lower... read more
(18) Baalath is said by Josephus to have been in the same neighbourhood; and this agrees with the mention of it in Joshua 19:44, as lying in the region assigned to Dan, on the edge of the Philistine country. The three, Gezer, Beth-horon, and Baalath, evidently form a group of fortified places commanding the passes from the sea-coast.Tadmor in the wilderness, in the land.—The Hebrew text here has Tamar (with, however, Tadmor as a marginal reading). From this fact, and from the peculiar... read more
(19) That which Solomon desired to build.—See, in Ecclesiastes 2:4-10, the description of the vineyards, and gardens, and orchards, in Jerusalem, with trees of all manner of fruits and pools of water, “whatsoever mine eyes desired;” and in Song of Solomon 2:10-13; Song of Solomon 4:8; Song of Solomon 7:11-13, the vivid pictures of the pleasure-gardens of Lebanon. The text seems evidently to refer to these, in contradistinction from the cities of commercial and military importance previously... read more
5. Jehovah Appears unto Solomon and the Greatness of the King CHAPTER 9 1. The second appearance of the LORD to Solomon (1 Kings 9:1-9 ) 2. Transactions with Hiram (1 Kings 9:10-14 ) 3. The levy of the king (1 Kings 9:15-23 ) 4. Pharaoh’s daughter occupies the house (1 Kings 9:24 ) 5. The king’s offerings (1 Kings 9:25 ) 6. Solomon’s navy (1 Kings 9:26-28 ) Jehovah’s righteous government in the midst of His people Israel had now been established. This government was given and... read more
9:19 And all the cities {g} of store that Solomon had, and cities for his chariots, and cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.(g) Cities for his ammunition. read more
GOD APPEARING AGAIN TO SOLOMON (vs.1-9) The Lord had appeared to Solomon before he built the temple (ch.3:5), now at its completion the Lord appears again to him. There was a danger of Solomon's being puffed up with pride because he was so greatly blessed as the king of the most illustrious nation on earth and had built the most magnificent building that has ever been built. Thus, the appearance of the Lord to him was necessary to give him a sober and subdued realization that he was only a... read more
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Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Kings 9:1-28
D. The Fruits of Solomon’s Reign chs. 9-11The writer next recorded what happened to Solomon and to Israel as a result of the king’s provision to exalt the reputation of Yahweh among His people. He narrated God’s covenant with Solomon (1 Kings 9:1-9), further evidences of Yahweh’s blessing (1 Kings 9:10-28), Solomon’s greatness (ch. 10), and Solomon’s apostasy (ch. 11). read more