11 Chronicles Chapter 2

Preparing to Build the Temple

• 2Chronicles 2:1  And Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the LORD, and an house for his kingdom. 
• 2  And Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them. 

When is comes to building structures or any kind of large project, overseers, managers and such are needed. One can't just send a bunch of people in and say to them build a house. Even with armies, navies and law enforcement, someone has to direct and keep order. I've met those that do not believe in pastors or church leaders but one would have a big unorganized mess if we didn't have someone in charge.

What is needed though is someone that can hear from God in all things. When Israel first desired a king, it was a slap in the face of God because God ordained judges to lead and direct them. Samuel I believe was the last judge. They wanted a king like other nations. Well they got plenty, but most of them departed from the Lord except for a few like David. All of them are human and made mistakes but David and a small number of other kings stayed true to the Lord. In saying that, we need leadership to keep order but we need godly leadership, not just anyone.

• 2Chronicles 2:3  And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, As thou didst deal with David my father, and didst send him cedars to build him an house to dwell therein, even so deal with me. 
• 4  Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God.

This was ordinance was given to Moses in the wilderness. They made a tabernacle at that time, not a building. It was moved from place to place as they journeyed through the wilderness to the promised land of Canaan. That was planned by God and was the only thing He required. God never required an actual building but King David desired this and instructed Solomon to build it. God granted their desire although He never required it.

Actually church buildings are not required to worship God in but in some climates they are better than having outdoor meetings where there is bad weather, cold or excessive heat. Meeting in homes is good but many times as a church grows, that would not allow for room for worshippers to meet. Some like small churches but there is nothing wrong with large ones as long as we don't just stay in one place and never send out those called of the Lord to start churches in other places. To grow and spread out is always the best way to spread the gospel and disciple those in other places. A good church will disciple and teach God's word to believers as well as preach the gospel of salvation.

• 2Chronicles 2:5  And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods. 
• 6  But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him? 

Actually there are no other real gods. All others are fake and empty with no power to save, heal or  do good. Solomon wanted the best though for God to dwell in their midst. We should always desire God's presence no matter where we are.

• 2Chronicles 2:7  Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide. 
• 8  Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants, 
• 9  Even to prepare me timber in abundance: for the house which I am about to build shall be wonderful great. 
• 10  And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil. 

The servants and other workers were being paid. This was expensive for Solomon but God had blessed Israel with riches. They probably didn't want something that cost them nothing. Notice though that they had people skilled in different areas of work. One person did not do it all.

• 2Chronicles 2:11  Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, Because the LORD hath loved his people, he hath made thee king over them. 
• 12  Huram said moreover, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise son, endued with prudence and understanding, that might build an house for the LORD, and an house for his kingdom. 

Hiram was one king of Tyre that recognized the God of Israel. He gives God praise and saw God's hand upon David and Solomon. This is awesome because the kings of Tyre had not always recognized the true God. I'm noticing though that if someone is a righteous king it does influence other leaders of nations.

• 2 Chronicles 2:13  And now I have sent a cunning man, endued with understanding, of Huram my father's, 
• 14  The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre, skilful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson; also to grave any manner of graving, and to find out every device which shall be put to him, with thy cunning men, and with the cunning men of my lord David thy father. 

This man was descended from one of the tribes of Israel but very skilled in the work needed to build the temple.

• 2Chronicles 2:15  Now therefore the wheat, and the barley, the oil, and the wine, which my lord hath spoken of, let him send unto his servants: 
• 16  And we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as thou shalt need: and we will bring it to thee in floats by sea to Joppa; and thou shalt carry it up to Jerusalem. 
• 17  And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Israel, after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them; and they were found an hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred. 
• 18  And he set threescore and ten thousand of them to be bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand to be hewers in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work. 

Solomon used many workers that were not of Israel but those that worked in trades and were used to heavy work. This building took a lot of skilled workers and also those that just followed directions. They had many that helped with organizing and many that were strong and able to do the heavy lifting, moving and the actual labor.

This took dedicated and tireless men. It probably took women to provide food and water to these workers. I'm sure Solomon thought of all these things with the wisdom God gave him.

11 Chronicles Chapter 3