Tyndale Open Study Notes1 Kings 9

The Lord had appeared to Solomon before, granting him wisdom (1 Kings 3:3–15). The author of Chronicles adds more details about God's blessings or judgment, based on the faithfulness of Solomon and Israel (2 Chronicles 7:11–22).

The Lord responded to Solomon's prayer by explaining the covenant's conditions. Obedience would lead to prosperity and blessings, while disobedience could cause disaster, including the city's and temple's destruction and the people's exile (see Deuteronomy 28:36–37, 63–68). Although God's covenant was unchangeable, enjoying its blessings required faithfulness to its terms (Psalm 89:24–37).

Solomon made a business deal with King Hiram, trading wheat and olive oil for timber and gold (1 Kings 5:10–11). When Solomon owed Hiram, he gave him twenty towns in Galilee as payment. However, Hiram was unhappy with the towns and returned them to Solomon (see 2 Chronicles 8:2). The two friends agreed on other compensation and continued as allies and trading partners (1 Kings 9:26–28; 10:22).

Solomon used forced labor to finish many construction projects (1 Kings 4:6; 5:13–18; 9:20–23; 12:4, 18–19; compare 1 Samuel 8:10–18).

Solomon strengthened the supporting terraces on a slope of the southeastern ridge in the traditional City of David area of Jerusalem (see 2 Samuel 5:9) and the wall of Jerusalem. He also fortified the important cities of Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer.

Archaeological research shows that the walls and gates of all three cities have unique features from Solomon’s time. Hazor, in the north, served as a first line of defense against invasion. Megiddo, in the Plain of Sharon, also had important military significance (2 Kings 23:29–30; Revelation 16:12–16).

Gezer, located west of Jerusalem, was not originally settled by the Israelites. An Egyptian pharaoh conquered it and gave it to his daughter as a wedding gift when she married Solomon. An inscription in the Amon Temple in Tanis seems to show a victory by Pharaoh Siamun of the 21st dynasty, who ruled from 978 to 959 BC, against the Philistines, suggesting Siamun was the pharaoh involved.

Lower Beth-horon was an important defense site for western Judah. Several cities in Canaan were called Baalath; the one here was likely also known as Kiriath-jearim (see 2 Samuel 6:2; Joshua 15:9; 1 Chronicles 13:5, 6). Tamar was probably located in the southeastern part of the Holy Land (see Ezekiel 47:19; 48:28).

Solomon's conscripted workers included early Canaanite settlers. There were 550 chief supervisors, and 250 of them were Israelites, overseeing the laborers (2 Chronicles 8:9–10; see 1 Kings 5:15–16 with 2 Chronicles 2:17–18).

devote to destruction: See “Complete Dedication” Theme Note.

Solomon built a new palace for Pharaoh’s daughter, separate from his own, because his palace was considered holy. The ark of the LORD had been there (2 Chronicles 8:11). The ark's location was sacred, as it represented God's presence and made the area holy (Exodus 25:22; see also 2 Samuel 6:7; 1 Chronicles 15:11–13).

Three times a year, Solomon showed great leadership for Israel by offering sacrifices at the national festivals of:

• Unleavened Bread,

• Weeks (also called Pentecost or Harvest), and

• Tabernacles (Deuteronomy 16:16).

The seaport of Ezion-geber was on the Gulf of Aqaba, which connects to the Red Sea. The exact location of Ophir is unknown, but it might have been in southwestern Arabia, eastern Africa, or India. The mention of gold and other valuable goods (see 1 Kings 10:11–12) highlights its importance for trade.