3. Huram] Another form of Hiram (1 Kings v. 1 [15, Hebrew]) which is a shortened form of Ahiram (Hebrew Āḥ, “brother” and rām, “exalted”). Yet another form is Hirom (1 Kings v. 10; see Revised Version margin). The Phoenician language is written with even fewer vowel signs than are found in ancient Hebrew; hence the uncertainty in the form of this name.
didst send him cedars] See 1 Chronicles xiv. 1 = 2 Samuel v. 11.
⁴Behold, I build an house for the name of the Lord my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him incense of sweet spices, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the set feasts of the Lord our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel. ⁵And the house which I build is great; for great is our God above all gods.
4. the continual shewbread] See 1 Chronicles ix. 32, notes; Leviticus xxiv. 5–9.
on the set feasts] Compare 1 Chronicles xxiii. 31, note.
⁶But who is able[¹] to build him an house, seeing the heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn incense before him?
[¹] Hebrew retaineth strength.
6. is able] Literally retaineth strength] 1 Chronicles xxix. 14.
cannot contain him] verses 4–6 are carefully framed to guard against the careless imagination that the Temple is God’s dwelling: to the Chronicler it is only the spot where worship is offered. Compare vi. 2, 18.
⁷Now therefore send me 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 all manner of gravings, to be with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide.