1 Kings 9:9-14

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 9:1-9

God had given a real answer to Solomon's prayer, and tokens of his acceptance of it, immediately, by the fire from heaven which consumed the sacrifices (as we find 2 Chron. 7:1); but here we have a more express and distinct answer to it. Observe, I. In what way God gave him this answer. He appeared to him, as he had done at Gibeon, in the beginning of his reign, in a dream or vision, 1 Kgs. 9:2. The comparing of it with that intimates that it was the very night after he had finished the... read more

Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 9:10-14

What agreement was made between Solomon and Hiram, when the building-work was to be begun, we read before, 1 Kgs. 5:1-18 Here we have an account of their fair and friendly parting when the work was done. 1. Hiram made good his bargain to the utmost. He had furnished Solomon with materials for his buildings, according to all his desire (1 Kgs. 9:11), and with gold, 1 Kgs. 9:15. So far was he from envying Solomon's growing greatness and reputation, and being jealous of him, that he helped to... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 9:9

And they shall answer ,.... Who were left in the land when others were carried captive, as were some by Nebuchadnezzar, and who were capable of making the following answer: because they forsook the Lord ; the worship of the Lord their God, as the Targum: who brought forth their fathers out of the land Egypt ; which is observed as an aggravation of their sin: and have taken hold upon other gods : the gods of the people, as the Targum; of the Gentiles, who knew not the true God: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 9:10

And it came to pass at the end of twenty years ,.... From the time Solomon first began to build: when Solomon had built the two houses, the house of the Lord, and the king's house; the first was seven years in building, and the other thirteen; in all twenty. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 9:11

(Now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees ,.... For the building of both his houses; see 1 Kings 5:8 , and with gold, according to all his desire) : which is not before mentioned, and accounts for it from whence Solomon had his gold; if he made no use, as some think he did not, of what his father left him; see 1 Kings 7:51 with which he covered several parts of the temple, and made several vessels in it. Hiram traded to Ophir, and had it from... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 9:12

And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him ,.... For these cities, being in or near Galilee, were not far from Tyre: and they pleased him not ; being either out of repair, as some think; see 2 Chronicles 8:2 or the ground barren, and unfruitful; which is not likely, being in a very fruitful country, as the tribes on which they bordered were: but they were not agreeable to him, they did not suit with the disposition of him and his people, who were given... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 9:13

And he said ,.... By letter to him: what cities are these which thou hast given me, my brother ? so he called him, being not only his neighbour, but his ally, in friendship and covenant with him; and this he said of them not by way of complaint, or contempt, as unworthy of his acceptance; for so munificent a prince as Solomon would never offer to a king to whom he was so much obliged anything mean and contemptible; but as being unsuitable to him, however valuable they might be in... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 9:14

And Hiram sent to the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold. Not after the cities had been given him, but before; and it may be rendered "had sent" F13 ישלח "miserat", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. , and is the sum of the gold he furnished him with for the temple, 1 Kings 9:11 which, according to Brerewood F14 De Ponderibus & Pretiis, Vet. Num. c. 5. , was 540,000 pounds of our money; and, according to another F15 Scheuchzer. Physic. Sacr. vol. 3. p. 571. ... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 9:9

Have taken hold upon other gods - When an indigent person claims the protection of a superior, he casts himself down before him, and lays hold of his feet; and this expression is frequently used when there is no prostration: I have taken hold of thy feet. When a person is called into the presence of the Burman monarch, he is said to go to the golden foot. - Ward's Customs. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 9:10

At the end of twenty years - He employed seven years and a half in building the temple, and twelve years and a half in building the king's house; see 1 Kings 7:1 ; 2 Chronicles 8:1 . read more

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