The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-10-24
Studies in Old Testament History.

hears that he has been appointed king
in the room of his father.
Concerning this second Hiram Pro-
lessor Rawlinson in "The Speakers
Commentary" reporting from Menan-
der of Ephesus who wrote history Of
Tyre based on documents dating B. q.
300, says that he assembled the throne
at nineteen and reigned thirty-four
years. and that he had commercial deal
ings with Solomon. A later writer,
Rev. VIM. I. Bullock. reporting an an
Gent Phenician historian, Dius, says
OF this second Hiram that he was a
builder OF temples to the gods of Tyre;
that he enlarged and strengthened his
city and was successful in all his wars;
that he for many years maintained
friendly relations with Solomon of Israel
and repeatedly engaged in friendly con-
tests with him in solving riddles. and
that he gave his daugher to Solomon
in marriage. This appears to be trust
worthy confirmation of the Bible record.
Solomon responded cordially to Hi
rams greetings, and stated to his friend
ly neighbor, as a fact with which he
was already conversant, that he had re-
ceived from his father David an obliga-
ton to build temple to Jehovah. He
asks Of Hiram to render help in this
temple building; and he promises fair
price for all the aid he receives. Solo,
mon is in need of timbers which the ia
nous cedar trees of Lebanon alone can
furnish. He is in need of the unequalled
masons and carpenters of Sidon. He is
in need of the famed Tyrian experts in
embroidering and coloring. He needs
master workman on the temple. Now
therefore" he says. according to the
Chronicle report q Oh. 2:79), "send me
man cunning to work in gold, and in
silver. and in brass. and in iron, and in
purple and crimson and blue, and that
can skill to grave in all manner of gray
ings, to be with the cunning men that
are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem,
whom David my father did promise.
algum trees, out of Lebanon; for 1 know
that thy servants can skill to cut tim Der
in Lebanon; and behold, my servants
shall be with thy servants, even to pre-.
pare me timber in abundance; for the
house which | am about to build shall
be wonderful great" And in return for
the the fulfilme Mt of this requisition
Solomon proffers q On. 2: 10): "And. be-
hold. 1 will give to thy servants. the
hewers that cut timber, twenty thous-
and measures of barley, and twenty
thousand baths of wine, and twenty
thousand baths of OIL"
2. Hiram GraciOusIy Replies,
VS.. TO.
How will Hiram. worshipper of the
Phenician idols, such as Melkarth, Baal
and Astarte. receive this proposition to
become an assistant in building temple
to the Hebrew Jehovah? Whatever
question there may have been as to his
willingness to enter into such co.part
nership was set at rest by the written
reply z Oh. 2. III which Solomon re-
ceived: BLESSED be the Lord" writes
the friendly king; and he continues his
strange confession of faith concerning
Jehovah: "the God of Israel that made
heaven and earth, who hath given to
David the king wise son, endued with
discretion aud understanding, that
should build an house for the Lord, and
an house for the kingdom"
How far this assumed faith in Jehovah
was sincere. how far it was diplomatic.
we cannot tell. But Hiram's satisfac-
ton in the fact that Solomon was turn.
ing his attention to temple building,
must have been unfeigned. He knew that
il the strength Of Israel went into tenn
pie it could not be devoted to war; he
knew that this meant security for him
on his own throne.
Hiram promises that his axemen shall
fell and hew the trees in Lebanon; that
the timbers shall be drawn to the sea
I'D made into RATS and conveyed to
Joppa, and there delivered into the
hands of Solomon's agents. He says
further q Oh. 2: -. 14): And now l
have sent cunning man. endued with
understanding. the son Of a woman Of
the daughters of Dan, and his father was
a man Of Tyre, skillful to work in gold,
and silver. in brass, in iron. in stone.
and in timber, in purple. in blue. and in
fine linen. and in crimson; also to grave
any manner Of craving, and to devise
any device; that there may be place
appointed unto him with thy cunning
men, and with the cunning men of my
lord David thy father"
This third Hiram, the son of citizen
of Tyre by Hebrew mother, the man
known also as Hiram Abiff. became an
ally of Solomon as master workman on
the temple.
The King of Tyre, in return for this
large proffer, announces himself as will
log to receive the price proposed by Sol-
ONION. He is indeed dependent on for
eign embarrassing nations for bread for
his people.
3. The Temple at Great Cost
is Built,-vs. 1912.