“And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, wherein Solomon had built the house of the LORD, and his own house,”
Signifying that he was twenty years in building them. Cross references: : 1 Kings 9:10
“That the cities which Huram had restored to Solomon, Solomon built them, and caused the children of Israel to dwell there.”
That is, which Hiram gave again to Solomon because they pleased him not: and therefore called them Cabul, that is, dirt or filth, 1 Kings 9:13 .
“And he built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the store cities, which he built in Hamath.”
Meaning, of Munitions and treasures for the war.
“Also he built Bethhoron the upper, and Bethhoron the nether, fenced cities, with walls, gates, and bars;”
That is, he repaired and fortified them: for they were built long before by Sheerah a noble woman of the tribe of Ephraim, 1 Chron. 6:68 and 7:24.
“But of their children, who were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel consumed not, them did Solomon make to pay tribute until this day.”
Hebrew, to come up to tribute .
“And these were the chief of king Solomon's officers , even two hundred and fifty, that bare rule over the people.”
For in all there were 3300 but here he meaneth of them that had the principal charge, read 1 Kings 9:23 .
“Even after a certain rate every day, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts, three times in the year, even in the feast of unleavened bread, and in the feast of weeks, and in the feast of tabernacles.”
Read Lev. 23 . Exod. 29:39 Or, after the manner of every day.
“Now all the work of Solomon was prepared unto the day of the foundation of the house of the LORD, and until it was finished. So the house of the LORD was perfected.”
Both for the matter and also for the workmanship.
“And Huram sent him by the hands of his servants ships , and servants that had knowledge of the sea; and they went with the servants of Solomon to Ophir, and took thence four hundred and fifty talents of gold, and brought them to king Solomon.”
Which sum is thought to mount to three million and six hundred thousand crowns, for here is mention made of thirty more than are spoken of, 1 Kings 9:28 .