Bible Commentaries
2 Chronicles 8

Verse 1

After. Septuagint, "in which."

Verse 2

Given back (Tirinus) as he refused to accept of the present. Some think that (Calmet) Hiram gave these cities in exchange for the others. (Salien) (Menochius)

Verse 3

Emath, or Emesa, on the Orontes. This city had belonged to Thou, who cultivated the friendship of David, 2 Kings viii. 9. But after the death of these princes, it had given some offence to Solomon, who took it, as well as Palmira, or Thadmor, though not perhaps in person.

Verse 4

Strong. Hebrew, "the cities of tents," Exodus i. 11. (Calmet) --- Protestants, "store cities," (Haydock) for corn, &c.

Verse 8

Tributaries. Hebrew also, "to work," at cutting stones, &c., 1 Paralipomenon xxii. 2. Some of their descendants returned from captivity, 1 Paralipomenon ix. 2.

Verse 10

Fifty. These were different from the 550 overseers, 3 Kings ix. 23.

Verse 11

Into it. It was deemed improper for a pagan woman to reside in the same place. (Calmet) --- She had perhaps pretended, at first, to be converted, but had lately given some signs of relapse. (Salien) --- Solomon was as yet far from communicating with infidels. (Worthington)

Verse 14

CHAPTER VIII.

And gate, at their respective posts. See 1 Paralipomenon xxvi. (Haydock)

Verse 15

Treasures. The regulations of David were exactly observed. (Calmet)

Verse 17

Asiongaber, which was called Bernice, (Josephus, [Antiquities?] viii. 2.) and now Suez. (Tirinus)

Verse 18

Ships; not perhaps from Tyre, but from the Red Sea. (Calmet) --- Others think that he sent them by a canal, which opened a communication between the Mediterranean and Suez, (Huet) the distance of about ninety miles. (Pliny, [Natural History?] ii. 68.) --- But this canal seems to have been made after the age of Solomon. Hence others imagine that the ships were taken in pieces, or conveyed by land, as has been sometimes done. Mahomet II transported ships across the isthmus of Corinth. Alexander the Great conveyed on chariots the ships which had been used to cross the Indus, as far as the Hydaspes. (Arrian vii.) (Calmet) --- Skilful mariners. They were the most expert, and the inventers of navigation. Prima ratem ventis tradere docta Tyrus. (Tibul.) See Wisdom xiv. 6. --- Ophir, the kingdom of Pegu, in the East Indies, (Tirinus) or some other distant land. (Haydock) --- Fifty. Thirty are omitted, 3 Kings ix. 28., as they were expended in the voyage. (Calmet) --- Yet the Hebrew letters for twenty and fifty are extremely similar. (Du Hamel)