1 Kings CHAP. V.

GIves an Account of Solomon's preparations for his Building the Temple, wherein all the four Causes do concurr, 1 Matter, 2. Form, 3. Efficient, and 4. The Final End.

Remarks upon the First are,

First, The Materials for Building it are procured by a double Embassage, First, Hi∣ram King of Tyre and Sidon (two Sea Towns in Phoenicia, bordering upon Galilce near Lebanon, the People whereof came in multitudes to Jesus, Mar. 3.8. and Jesus also went into their Borders, Mar. 7.24.) call'd Huram, 2 Chron. 2, 3. sent his Embassa∣dors to Solomon so soon as he heard of his succession to his Father David (of whom he had always been a firm Lover, and a fast friend to him) to congratulate his coming to the Crown of Israel, v. 1. and Peter Martyr observes well here, that tho' these Embassa∣dors of King Hiram had been sent long before this time, yet now only is mention made thereof, because an occasion is related here of Solomon's requesting of him materials for the building of his Temple: and Grotius mentions the loving Letters passed between them.

The Second Remark is, Solomon sends secondly his Embassadors to this Hiram, v. 2. upon these well supposed Reasons.

Page  442 First, Because Hiram probably was a Proselyte Prince, one believing in the God of Is∣rael, v. 7. where his thankfulness to the true God (for setting up Solomon over Israel) was a good sign of true Grace: the Greeks have but one word [〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉,] to express both grace and thanks.

Secondly, Because of that Love and League that had formerly been betwixt Hiram and his Father David to whom he had done the like Courtesies, 2 Sam. 5.11. which inward, intire, and continual affection both to the pious Father, and to the pious Son, was no small evidence of true piety in Hiram, and whose congratulatory message be∣fore, encouraged Solomon to send now to him.

Thirdly, Because King Hiram was the only Prince that could gratifie Solomon in his suit: None else had that Ability to supply Solomon with Materials for the Temple, as Hiram was able, and therefore the Son renews the League 'twixt Hiram and his Father ver. 11.

The Third Remark is, The most Elegant and effectual Oration Solomon sent by his Embassadors to King Hiram here, v. 3, 4, 5, 6. wherein,

Mark First, The Preface [thou knowest, &c.] v. 3. both first that David could not build the Temple (tho' it was in his heart to do it) because of his continual Wars, which gave him no time for it.

N. B. This good Son would not lay open to Foreigners his Father's nakedness as cursed Cham did his, Gen. 9.22, 25. for the Reason rendred of David's Divine Prohibition was his shedding much blood (as that of Ʋriah's and his fellow Souldiers that fell with him) 2 Sam. 7.5. 1 Chron. 22.8.28.3. but Solomon comes off only with his Father's un∣cessant Wars, to shew that Children ought to speak the best things of their Parents, for to speak evil either of them or to them was death by the Law of God, Math. 15.4. yea, and by Solon's Law too, tho' but a Pagan Lawgiver, one of the Seven Wise Men of Greece, &c.

And Secondly, Solomon in his Preface tells Hiram the Reason why he resolved to erect the Temple which his Father had no capacity nor opportunity to accomplish, be∣cause of his Wars, but now the Lord hath given me an Ʋniversal Peace, v. 4. which he ascribes not to his Earthly Father as the effect of all his Victories Foreign and Domestick, nor to his own prudence, but to the Lord, by whom Kings Reign, Prov. 8.15. and from whom all peace and promotion cometh, Psal. 75.6, 7. saying (as Peter Martyr saith here) I may not abuse my ease, which my Heavenly Father hath granted me, to idle∣ness and luxury, but having no work in Wars abroad, I will restore Religion at home, ver. 5.

Mark Secondly, Solomon's Proposition after his Preface, he requests of Hiram such Ma∣terials as were requisite for building the Temple, both Wood and Stone, v. 6, 18. for tho' David before his death had prepared abundantly both Wood and Workmen, 1 Chron. 22.2, 3, 4, &c. & 29.3. yet nothing near enough for so great a work, and Hiram must help him with Workmen also, because none were so Skilful for squaring Stone and hewing Timber as the Sidonians, who lived (saith Grotius) among Woods and Quarries, so they were train'd up therein.

Mark Thirdly, Several Men have their several gifts (saith Peter Martyr) and seve∣ral Countries their several Abilities and Commodities: Solomon had Materials within himself (for Lebanon was either wholly or in part in his jurisdiction, saith Peter Martyr) therefore he desires not Hiram to give him Cedars which were his own already, but Hiram had the Artificers whom Solomon desired him to send to exercise their Curious Art and Skill upon his Materials.

N. B. This was not without a Mystery that the Sydonians and Tyrians (who were in∣genious Gentiles) must be called in to assist Solomon's Servants (who were Hebrews) in this building of a Temple for God: Not only (saith Peter Martyr) to teach us that it is lawful for pious persons to make use of Impious Ethnicks Arts both Writings and Handy-works, as occasion is offered; but more especially it holds forth the call of the Gen∣tiles: Tho' the Jews only meddled with the Tabernacle of Moses in the Wilderness, yet Solomon's Temple must not be built in that Holy City Jerusalem, the Metropolis of Ca∣naan, without the aid of those Gentile Tyrians: The Jews (whether they will or not will) must not build up the Gospel Temple, or Church of Christ without the concurrence of Gentile Believers; Paul said, the Jews, together with us Gentiles, make up an House for God, Eph. 2.13, 14.

Mark Fourthly, Solomon's Commutative Justice in promising a due proportion of wa∣ges for those Tyrians true work, the Workman (he judged) was worthy of his wages which Page  443he propounded; Hiram gratefully accepts of his proposal, v. 6, 7, 8. and Solomon as punctually performs the Contract, in sending food, a scarce Commodity in Hiram's Country, having its supplies from Judea, Ezek. 27.17. Acts 12.20. Materials Hiram exchanges for meat with Solomon, v. 9, 10, 11.

The Second Cause (after the matter) is the form of the Temple implyed in ver. 12. namely in Solomon's Wisdom, wherein he increased more and more, not only because he shewed so much Wisdom in transacting this important League with King Hiram, ten∣ding to the Temple building (as Peter Martyr saith) but 'tis said here [the Lord gave So∣lomon Wisdom] as an additional gift, to Chap. 3.12, and Chap. 4.29. namely, Archi∣tectonick Wisdom] an artificial skill in contriving and carrying on stately Structures, a dexterous discretion for this present purpose, God giving him the Idea or notion of the Temple in his mind, as a model whereby the future fabrick was to be framed.

The Third is, The Efficient Cause, and this is twofold, Instrumental or principal; the Instruments were three.

• (1.) Labourers, such as were stone-cutters, and hewers of Timber.
• (2.) Porters that bare burthens, as stones out of Quarries, and Timber to the Car∣penter's hands; and
• (3.) The Artificers that fitted both the Wood and the Stone for the Fabrick, v. 13, 14, 15, 17, 18. then the principal Officers were the Master-Builders over-seeing all, v. 16.

Remarks hereupon are,

First, The polished materials for this Typical Temple were two-fold, First, the best of Wood, Cedars, which God himself did point out to be done, 2 Sam. 7.7. because 'tis a wood most sound, strong, fragrant, and durable, not knotty nor subject to worms, &c. and secondly, the best of building-stones, call'd Costly, even for the foundation, v. 17. even Marble of all sorts; the very foundation-stones were not rude and rugged, but they were both of great value, and well hewed that they might bed the better, tho' they could not afterwards be obvious to the eye when under ground: This was done not for necessity, (saith Peter Martyr) but for Magnificency, and to signifie to us that as the whole Temple did Typifie the whole Mystical Body of Christ which is his Church built up with growing stones and green Timber sanctified in Christ Jesus, call'd to be Saints, 1 Cor. 1.3. Cant. 1.16, 17, &c. So this foundation represents Christ the Foundation of the Church, 1 Cor. 3.10. & Eph. 2.20. Isa. 28.16. hid from the World, yet precious in himself, &c. And it teaches also, that God is not all for the eye, but pleases him∣self with his Saints hidden worth.

Remark the Second, is God's tenderness to Temple-Builders, those Labourers were one mouth labouring in Lebanon, and two months at home by turns, v. 14. their time of rest at home with their Relations was double to their time of labour.

N. B. Let Superiors learn from God and Solomon here to make the yoke as easie as they can to their Inferiours, lest they lose their Affections, and procure their Impreca∣tions.

Remark the Third, is that of Dr. Hall, the Temple was all framed in Lebanon, but it was set up in Sion: So that neither Ax nor Hammer was heard in that Holy Structure, all the noise was in Lebanon, to fit every thing for its place, made nothing but noise there, but nothing in Sion save silence and peace, Chap. 6.7.

N. B. What ever tumults be in the World, let Concord be in the Church.

Remark the Fourth, Those Stone-squaring Giblites, v. 18. were Pagans, Ezek. 27.9. Psal. 83.7. yet used about the Temple for their Squaring skill. So Humane Learning may be used in Divine Discourses, so it be not for vain ostentation, for that is to make a Calf of the Ear-rings brought out of Egypt.

The Last Cause is the End for which this Temple was built. It was unto the Name of the Lord God of Israel, v. 5. when Solomon had no Satan or Adversary against him, v. 4. the Devil was then Chain'd up, but after this broke loose, and because he could not hinder this, will not only imitate it, but endeavours to out-do it in Diana's Temple at Ephesus, Act. 19.27, 28. which was built unto the Devil's Name, and not only built of Cedar like this of Solomon's (as Vitruvius relateth) but was likewise longer and lar∣ger than was this at Jerusalem, as other Authors do assure us, 220 years in Building, and built in a place where no Earthquake could move it, 'twas 425 foot long, 220 broad, and had 1•7 Pillars given by so many Kings, &c. The End why Solomon built his Temple, is mention'd again, Chap. 6. v. 12. he Built it for the Lord.