81 Now it came about at the end of the twenty years in which Solomon had built the house of the Lord and his own house 2 that he built the cities which Huram had given to him, and settled the sons of Israel there . 3 Then Solomon went to Hamath-zobah and captured it. 4 He built Tadmor in the wilderness and all the storage cities which he had built in Hamath . 5 He also built upper Beth-horon and lower Beth-horon , fortified cities with walls , gates and bars ; 6 and Baalath and all the storage cities that Solomon had , and all the cities for his chariots and cities for his horsemen , and all that it pleased e Solomon to build in Jerusalem , in Lebanon , and in all the land under his rule .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 8:1-6
Chapter Contents
Solomon's buildings and trade.
It sometimes requires more wisdom and resolution to govern a family in the fear of God, than to govern a kingdom with reputation. The difficulty is increased, when a man has a hinderance instead of a help meet in the wife of his bosom. Solomon kept up the holy sacrifices, according to the law of Moses. In vain had the altar been built, in vain had fire come down from heaven, if sacrifices had not been constantly brought. Spiritual sacrifices are required of us, which we are to bring daily and weekly; it is good to be in a settled method of devotion. When the service of the temple was put into good order, it is said, The house of the Lord was perfected. The work was the main matter, not the place; the temple was unfinished till all this was done. Canaan was a rich country, and yet must send to Ophir for gold The Israelites were a wise people, but must be beholden to the king of Tyre for men that had knowledge of the seas. Grace, and not gold, is the best riches, and acquaintance with God and his law, the best knowledge. Leaving the children of this world to scramble for the toys of this world, may we, as the children of God, lay up our treasure in heaven, that where our treasure is, our hearts also may be.