15 And they did not depart from the commandment of the king to the priests and Levites in any manner or concerning the storehouses . 16 Thus all the work of Solomon was carried out from the day of the foundation of the house of the Lord , and until it was finished . So the house of the Lord was completed . 17 Then Solomon went to Ezion-geber and to Eloth on the seashore e in the land of Edom . 18 And Huram by his servants sent him ships and servants who knew the sea ; and they went with Solomon's servants to Ophir , and took from there four hundred and fifty talents of gold and brought them to King Solomon .
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 8:15-18
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.