King Hiram’s request for produce in exchange for supplying a skilled craftsman to build the temple reflects Solomon’s wide-ranging alliances and highlights the mutual cooperation that helped complete God’s holy work.
“Now then, the wheat, the barley, the oil, and the wine which my lord has spoken of, let him send them to his servants.” (v.15) Here, King Hiram of Tyre affirms his agreement to supply the skilled craftsman, Huram-abi, for Solomon’s temple construction, but he also expects Solomon to provide agricultural goods in return. Tyre was a flourishing port city on the coast of what is now Lebanon, and its abundance lay primarily in maritime trade; consequently, King Hiram needed large quantities of wheat, barley, oil, and wine to support his own people. By addressing Solomon’s demand for a master artisan, King Hiram demonstrates mutual respect between these two monarchs—an important alliance for Israel’s peaceful expansion and for the grand building project underway.
King Hiram reigned around the late 10th century BC, possibly from about 980 to 947 BC, overlapping with Solomon’s reign (circa 970-930 BC). During this period, Solomon embarked on constructing the house of the LORD, the first temple in Jerusalem, a momentous endeavor that symbolized Israel’s worship of God and underscored their privileged status as His covenant people. The resources from Tyre, including cedar and artisanship, meshed with the produce from Israel’s territory, highlighting a unique collaboration that foreshadows how God can use diverse nations and gifts to accomplish His sacred purposes. Later, Jesus would speak of Himself as the temple’s fulfillment (John 2:19-21), reminding believers that all building efforts in Scripture ultimately point to the dwelling of God’s presence among His people.
In this verse, the practical and the spiritual merge. On one hand, Hiram’s request underscores the economics of the temple project: Israel’s farmland yielded abundant crops, whereas Tyre offered expert craftsmanship. On the other hand, this exchange shows how the LORD’s work can flourish through partnership. Just as Israel and Tyre both gave what they had, believers now offer their varied gifts within the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:4-7), revealing that every resource—material or spiritual—ultimately belongs to God and can serve His glory.
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2 Chronicles 2:15 meaning
“Now then, the wheat, the barley, the oil, and the wine which my lord has spoken of, let him send them to his servants.” (v.15) Here, King Hiram of Tyre affirms his agreement to supply the skilled craftsman, Huram-abi, for Solomon’s temple construction, but he also expects Solomon to provide agricultural goods in return. Tyre was a flourishing port city on the coast of what is now Lebanon, and its abundance lay primarily in maritime trade; consequently, King Hiram needed large quantities of wheat, barley, oil, and wine to support his own people. By addressing Solomon’s demand for a master artisan, King Hiram demonstrates mutual respect between these two monarchs—an important alliance for Israel’s peaceful expansion and for the grand building project underway.
King Hiram reigned around the late 10th century BC, possibly from about 980 to 947 BC, overlapping with Solomon’s reign (circa 970-930 BC). During this period, Solomon embarked on constructing the house of the LORD, the first temple in Jerusalem, a momentous endeavor that symbolized Israel’s worship of God and underscored their privileged status as His covenant people. The resources from Tyre, including cedar and artisanship, meshed with the produce from Israel’s territory, highlighting a unique collaboration that foreshadows how God can use diverse nations and gifts to accomplish His sacred purposes. Later, Jesus would speak of Himself as the temple’s fulfillment (John 2:19-21), reminding believers that all building efforts in Scripture ultimately point to the dwelling of God’s presence among His people.
In this verse, the practical and the spiritual merge. On one hand, Hiram’s request underscores the economics of the temple project: Israel’s farmland yielded abundant crops, whereas Tyre offered expert craftsmanship. On the other hand, this exchange shows how the LORD’s work can flourish through partnership. Just as Israel and Tyre both gave what they had, believers now offer their varied gifts within the body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12:4-7), revealing that every resource—material or spiritual—ultimately belongs to God and can serve His glory.