2 Chronicles 2:7
Send me, therefore, a craftsman skilled in engraving to work with gold and silver, with bronze and iron, and with purple, crimson, and blue yarn. He will work with my craftsmen in Judah and Jerusalem, whom my father David provided.
Send me, therefore, a craftsman skilled in engraving

Solomon sought a master artisan for the temple work, which David had planned and supplied for but was not permitted to build. The temple’s furnishings and decorations required detailed workmanship worthy of the Lord’s house. Solomon’s request recognized the specialized skill available through Tyre.

Exo 31:1-6 Then the LORD said to Moses,…
Exo 35:30-35 Then Moses said to the Israelites, “See, the LORD has…
1Ki 7:13-14 Now King Solomon sent to bring Huram from Tyre.…

to work with gold and silver, with bronze and iron,

These metals were used in the temple’s structure, furnishings, vessels, and ornamentation. Gold and silver displayed the temple’s splendor, while bronze and iron provided strength for its practical and decorative elements. Their abundance reflected the resources God had given Israel during Solomon’s reign.

1Ch 29:2-5 Now with all my ability I have made provision…
Exo 31:4-5 to design artistic works in gold, silver, and bronze,…
Isa 60:17 Instead of bronze I will bring you gold;…

and with purple, crimson, and blue yarn.

Richly dyed fabrics were used for sacred garments, curtains, and embroidered decorations. Purple, crimson, and blue were costly colors associated with royal dignity, the divine, and the sacred service of God; purple was a symbol of nobility and was produced from the costly dye of the murex snail.

Exo 35:25 Every skilled woman spun with her hands…
Exo 25:4 blue, purple, and scarlet yarn; fine linen and goat hair;
Exo 26:1 You are to construct the tabernacle itself…

He will work with my craftsmen in Judah and Jerusalem,

The temple was built through the combined labor of Israelite craftsmen and skilled workers from Tyre. Solomon’s own artisans, prepared for the work under David’s direction, would work alongside the foreign craftsman.

1Ch 22:15-16 You also have many workers: stonecutters, masons…
1Ki 5:18 So Solomon’s and Hiram’s builders, along with the Gebalites…
Ezr 3:7 They gave money to the masons and carpenters,…

whom my father David provided.

David had gathered materials, organized laborers, and made extensive preparations before his death. Solomon continued the work his father had begun, carrying out the task appointed to him by God.

1Ch 22:14 Now behold, I have taken great pains to provide…
1Ch 28:11-12 Then David gave his son Solomon the plans…
1Ch 29:16 O LORD our God, from Your hand comes all this abundance…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
The king of Israel, son of David, known for his wisdom and for building the temple in Jerusalem.

2. Hiram
The king of Tyre, who provided materials and skilled workers for Solomon's temple.

3. Craftsman
A skilled worker requested by Solomon to assist in the construction of the temple, particularly in artistic and metalwork.

4. Judah and Jerusalem
The regions where the temple construction took place, central to the worship and identity of Israel.

5. David
Solomon's father, who made preparations for the temple's construction, including gathering materials and craftsmen.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Skill and Excellence
God values skill and excellence in our work, as seen in Solomon's request for a skilled craftsman. We should strive to develop our talents and use them for God's glory.

Collaboration in God's Work
The construction of the temple required collaboration between different people and nations. In the body of Christ, we are called to work together, utilizing diverse gifts for a common purpose.

Preparation and Provision
Just as David prepared for the temple's construction, we should prepare and plan for the tasks God sets before us, trusting in His provision.

The Role of Beauty in Worship
The detailed work in the temple reflects the role of beauty in worship. Our worship should reflect the beauty and majesty of God, whether through art, music, or other expressions.

Legacy and Continuity
Solomon's work on the temple was a continuation of David's vision. We should consider how our actions contribute to a legacy of faith and service for future generations.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Solomon's request for a skilled craftsman reflect the value God places on excellence in our work?

2. In what ways can we collaborate with others in our church or community to accomplish God's purposes?

3. How can we prepare and plan for the tasks God has given us, as David did for the temple?

4. What role does beauty play in your personal worship, and how can you incorporate it more fully?

5. How are you contributing to a legacy of faith and service in your family or community, similar to David and Solomon's work on the temple?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Kings 5
This chapter parallels the account of Solomon's preparations for building the temple, including his correspondence with Hiram.

Exodus 31
Describes Bezalel and Oholiab, craftsmen filled with the Spirit of God to work on the Tabernacle, highlighting the importance of skilled labor in sacred projects.

1 Chronicles 22
Details David's preparations for the temple, emphasizing the continuity of his vision through Solomon.

Proverbs 22:29
Speaks to the value of skilled work, aligning with the importance of craftsmanship in temple construction.

Ephesians 2:10
Relates to the concept of being created for good works, as the craftsmen were for the temple.
A Great Project: the Building of a TempleT. Whitelaw 2 Chronicles 2:1-10
Solomon's Predestined WorkJ. Parker, D.D.2 Chronicles 2:1-16
Human LabourW. Clarkson 2 Chronicles 2:2, 3, 7-10
Co-OperationJ. Parker, D.D.2 Chronicles 2:7-16
Huram and SolomonJ. Wolfendale.2 Chronicles 2:7-16
People
Abi, Dan, David, Hiram, Huram, Solomon
Places
Jerusalem, Joppa, Lebanon, Tyre
Topics
Besides, Blue, Brass, Bronze, Carving, Craftsmen, Crimson, Cunning, Cutting, David, Engrave, Engraving, Engravings, Experienced, Expert, Fabrics, Gold, Got, Grave, Gravings, Iron, Jerusalem, Judah, Knoweth, Manner, Ornament, Prepared, Provide, Provided, Purple, Red, Silver, Skilful, Skill, Skilled, Skillful, Sorts, Trained, Violet, Wise, Worker, Workers, Workmen, Yarn
Dictionary of Bible Themes
2 Chronicles 2:7

     4312   bronze
     4333   gold
     4336   iron
     4345   metalworkers
     4363   silver
     4807   colours
     4808   crimson
     5306   engraving
     5853   experience, of life
     8365   wisdom, human

2 Chronicles 2:3-16

     4424   cedar

2 Chronicles 2:5-7

     5211   art

2 Chronicles 2:7-9

     5531   skill

Library
Hiram, the Inspired Artificer
BY REV. W. J. TOWNSEND, D.D. The Temple of Solomon was the crown of art in the old world. There were temples on a larger scale, and of more massive construction, but the enormous masses of masonry of the oldest nations were not comparable with the artistic grace, the luxurious adornments, and the harmonious proportions of this glorious House of God. David had laid up money and material for the great work, but he was not permitted to carry it out. He was a man of war, and blood-stained hands were
George Milligan—Men of the Bible; Some Lesser-Known

Chronicles
The comparative indifference with which Chronicles is regarded in modern times by all but professional scholars seems to have been shared by the ancient Jewish church. Though written by the same hand as wrote Ezra-Nehemiah, and forming, together with these books, a continuous history of Judah, it is placed after them in the Hebrew Bible, of which it forms the concluding book; and this no doubt points to the fact that it attained canonical distinction later than they. Nor is this unnatural. The book
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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