Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary on the Whole Bible
1 Kings Ch.9 / 22 Ch.s
1KI:9
* 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|.