Chapter Summary

Preparation to build the temple.

Discussion Questions for 2 Chronicles, Chapter 2

1. In verse 1, King Solomon decides to build both a temple and a palace. Why would he not choose to mention the palace in his letter to King Hiram?
2. Why did King Solomon choose to appoint “resident aliens” (CSB) to do the manual labor for building the temple in verses 17-18?
3. How does King Solomon describe God in his letter to King Hiram? How does he describe himself? What does this say about the position of Solomon’s heart in building something for God, whom the “highest heaven cannot contain”(CSB)?
4. At the beginning and end of the chapter, King Solomon was able to appoint the same number of Israelite and "resident aliens" (CSB) to work on the construction of the temple. Why is it relevant that their numbers were balanced evenly? How does it present God's will as the one who provided all Solomon needed to work on the construction? Why do you think he made that provision?
5. How does the letter from King Solomon display how we should go about doing work for the Lord? What should our heart attitude, motivation, expectation, and standards be if something is to be done for or in God’s name?
6. In verses 1 and 4, King Solomon is building a temple “for the name of the LORD,” (CSB) but in verse 12, King Hiram says the temple is “for the LORD.” Why is there an emphasis from the Israelites’ perspective on the temple being for the Lord’s name, rather than just for the Lord? How does this speak to how the God of the Israelites is different from the gods of other cultures?
7. In his description of the temple’s purpose in verse 4, what can you discern about the importance of the temple? How would a physical temple be significant to the people of Israel, according to King Solomon?
8. Is King Hiram’s response to King Solomon’s request surprising? How do these two letters display the political relationship between the two rulers? How might the interaction between these two kings give the reader insight into the type of ruler Solomon will be throughout his reign?
9. The skilled artisan sent by King Hiram was a descendant of one of the tribes of Israel. How does this speak to God’s timing in his plan for the construction of the temple?
10. In verse 17, Solomon took a census. How was this census different from the census of his father, David, in 2 Samuel 24:1-24? Why do you think the outcomes of the two censuses were different?

Key Words/Phrase

Temple, v. 4.

Characters

God, Solomon, Hiram, King of Tyre.

Strong Verse(s)

6