2 Chronicles 2:11-16

What does Hiram contribute to Solomon’s undertaking?

Berean Standard Bible

11 Then Hiram king of Tyre wrote a letter in reply to Solomon: “Because the LORD loves His people, He has set you over them as king.” 12 And Hiram added: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who made the heavens and the earth! He has given King David a wise son with insight and understanding, who will build a temple for the LORD and a royal palace for himself. 13 So now I am sending you Huram-abi, a skillful man endowed with creativity. 14 He is the son of a woman from the daughters of Dan, and his father is a man of Tyre. He is skilled in work with gold and silver, bronze and iron, stone and wood, purple, blue, and crimson yarn, and fine linen. He is experienced in every kind of engraving and can execute any design that is given him. He will work with your craftsmen and with those of my lord, your father David. 15 Now let my lord send to his servants the wheat, barley, olive oil, and wine he promised. 16 We will cut logs from Lebanon, as many as you need, and we will float them to you as rafts by sea down to Joppa. Then you can take them up to Jerusalem.”

What is the context?

Hiram praises the Lord as Creator and connects Solomon’s kingship with God’s love for His people. He then sends Huram-abi, a craftsman with extensive skills.

The craftsman is identified through a mother associated with Dan and a father from Tyre. Hiram also agrees to timber rafts reaching Joppa, with Solomon responsible for bringing them to Jerusalem and providing the promised food.

The exchange brings recognition, skill, resources, and reciprocal obligations together. It records Hiram’s words of praise without narrating every feature of his personal religious practice.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley infers from Hiram’s praise that he has become a proselyte, but that fuller religious history is not explicitly narrated. The USCCB note also compares the craftsman’s family description with 1 Kings 7:13–14, which names Naphtali. The difference can be acknowledged without inventing a certain biography that resolves every family designation.

What is our position?

We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

Where can I study this further?

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