Verse-by-Verse Bible Commentary
2 Chronicles 8:12

Bridgeway Bible Commentary

Solomon’s greatness (8:1-9:31)

Other building programs of Solomon are outlined. The Chronicler adds a note that the reason Solomon built a separate palace for his Egyptian wife was to preserve the holiness of the throne. This point is important to the Chronicler, who wants to show that the Davidic kings, on the whole, tried to remain faithful to God. He notes in addition that Solomon organized the temple services according to the plan that David had laid down (8:1-18; see notes on 1 Kings 9:10-28).

After outlining once more Solomon’s wisdom, commercial ability, fame and wealth (9:1-28; see notes on 1 Kings 10:1-25), the Chronicler closes his record of Solomon’s reign. He makes no mention of Solomon’s idolatry and the judgment to which it was leading (1 Kings 11:1-40), for he is concerned with the continuation of the Davidic dynasty rather than with the failure of its kings (29-31; see notes on 1 Kings 11:41-43).

Coffman's Commentaries on the Bible

SOLOMON'S OFFERING THE COMMANDED SACRIFICES

"Then Solomon offered burnt-offerings unto Jehovah on the altar of Jehovah which he had built before the porch, even as the duty of every day required, offering according to the commandment of Moses, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the set 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."

There are some uncertainties here. There seems to be an implied disapproval of Solomon's actions in offering all these sacrifices, which certainly were offered upon an unauthorized altar; and the word even in 2 Chronicles 8:13 most certainly suggests that what Solomon did here was sinful in usurping ritualistic functions that pertained to the priests. Francisco, however, insists that, "Solomon was directing the activities and was not personally involved."Broadman Bible Commentary, Vol. 3, p. 374. We accept this opinion as accurate, because we cannot possibly imagine that this pleasure-mad monarch would have had the self-discipline required for doing what is stated in these verses.

Of course, the specific mention of all these sacrifices which are elaborately spelled out in the Pentateuch is further proof of its Mosaic authorship, and of king Solomon's thorough acquaintance with it a full half millennium before modern radical critics would date it if they could.

Smith's Bible Commentary

Chapter 8

Now it came to pass at the end of twenty years, that Solomon had built both the house of the LORD, and his own palace ( 2 Chronicles 8:1 ),

He spent seven years building the house of the Lord and thirteen years building his own palace.

That the cities which Huram had restored to Solomon, he then built them up, and caused the children of Israel to dwell there ( 2 Chronicles 8:2 ).

And it gives you the names of some of the cities where he had his storehouses and he had built fortresses and some of the cities that he had fortified and all. And then in verse 2 Chronicles 8:11 :

And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David unto the house that he had built for her: for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the palaces are holy, whereunto the ark of the LORD hath come ( 2 Chronicles 8:11 ).

So he realized that she wasn't so pure or holy, and so he built another place for her so that she wouldn't dwell in them. Now, he ought to know that that's not the kind of a wife he should have if he has to build a separate place for her because she is not worthy to dwell in the places that were holy.

Then Solomon offered burnt offerings unto the LORD on the altar of the LORD, which he had built before the porch, 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. And he appointed, according to the order of David his father, the courses of the priests and all. And they departed not from the commandment of the king unto the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the treasures. 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 completed. And then went Solomon to Eziongeber, and to Eloth, at the sea side in the land of Edom. And he sent out ships to Ophir to gather gold ( 2 Chronicles 8:12-18 ). "

Dr. Constable's Expository Notes

2. Solomon’s religious success 8:12-16

Solomon was faithful to perform what the Mosaic Law required in ritual worship. In this he succeeded, though in his heart he departed from the Lord. The Chronicler gave him credit where credit was due and did not draw attention to his failings.

"This verse [2 Chronicles 8:16] represents an important literary mark in the story of the Chronicler, concluding the long section that began at 2 Chronicles 2:1. A similar phrase to ’so the temple of the LORD was finished’ occurs in 2 Chronicles 29:35, as the Chronicler concluded his account of the restoration of the temple service under Hezekiah." [Note: Thompson, p. 240.]

Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible

Then Solomon offered burnt offerings to the Lord,.... Meaning not barely at the time he rebuilt the above cities, for it was his constant practice:

on the altar of the Lord, which he had built before the porch; the brasen altar, which was at the entrance into the temple, within the court; of which see 2 Chronicles 4:1.

Henry's Complete Commentary on the Bible

      12 Then Solomon offered burnt offerings unto the LORD on the altar of the LORD, which he had built before the porch,   13 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.   14 And he appointed, according to the order of David his father, the courses of the priests to their service, and the Levites to their charges, to praise and minister before the priests, as the duty of every day required: the porters also by their courses at every gate: for so had David the man of God commanded.   15 And they departed not from the commandment of the king unto the priests and Levites concerning any matter, or concerning the treasures.   16 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.   17 Then went Solomon to Ezion-geber, and to Eloth, at the sea side in the land of Edom.   18 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.

      Here is, I. Solomon's devotion. The building of the temple was in order to the service of the temple. Whatever cost he was at in rearing the structure, if he had neglected the worship that was to be performed there, it would all have been to no purpose. Assisting the devotion of others will not atone for our own neglects. When Solomon had built the temple, 1. He kept up the holy sacrifices there, according to the law of Moses, 2 Chronicles 8:12; 2 Chronicles 8:13. In vain had the altar been built, and in vain had fire come down from heaven, if sacrifices had not been constantly brought as the food of the altar and the fuel of that fire. There were daily sacrifices, a certain rate every day, as duly as the day came, weekly sacrifices on the sabbath, double to what was offered on other days, monthly sacrifices on the new moons, and yearly sacrifices at the three solemn feasts. Those are spiritual sacrifices that are now required of us, which we are to bring daily and weekly; and it is good to be in a settled method of devotion. 2. He kept up the holy songs there, according to the law of David, who is here called the man of God, as Moses was, because he was both instructed and authorised of God to make these establishments; and Solomon took care to see them observed as the duty of every day required,2 Chronicles 8:14; 2 Chronicles 8:14. Solomon, though a wise and great man and the builder of the temple, did not attempt to amend, alter, or add to what the man of God had, in God's name, commanded, but closely adhered to that, and used his authority to have that duly observed; and then none departed from the commandment of the king concerning any matter,2 Chronicles 8:15; 2 Chronicles 8:15. He observed God's laws, and then all obeyed his orders. When the service of the temple was put into this good order, then it is said, The house of the Lord was perfected,2 Chronicles 8:16; 2 Chronicles 8:16. The work was the main matter, not the place; the temple was unfinished till all this was done.

      II. Solomon's merchandise. He did himself in person visit the sea-port towns of Eloth and Ezion-geber; for those that deal much in the world will find it their interest, as far as they can, to inspect their affairs themselves and to see with their own eyes, 2 Chronicles 8:17; 2 Chronicles 8:17. Canaan was a rich country, and yet must send to Ophir for gold; the Israelites were a wise and understanding people, and yet must be beholden to the king of Tyre for men that had knowledge of the seas,2 Chronicles 8:18; 2 Chronicles 8:18. Yet Canaan was God's peculiar land, and Israel God's peculiar people. This teaches us that grace, and not gold, is the best riches, and acquaintance with God and his law, not with arts and sciences, the best knowledge.