7 All the people who are left of the Hittite, and the Amorite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite, who are not of Israel— 8 of their sons who have been left after them in the land, whom the sons of Israel consumed not—doth Solomon lift up a tribute unto this day. 9 And none of the sons of Israel hath Solomon made servants for his work, but they 'are' men of war, and heads of his captains, and heads of his charioteers, and of his horsemen; 10 and these 'are' heads of the officers whom king Solomon hath, two hundred and fifty who are rulers among the people.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 2 Chronicles 8:7-10
Chapter Contents
Solomon's buildings and trade.
It sometimes requires more wisdom and resolution to govern a family in the fear of God, than to govern a kingdom with reputation. The difficulty is increased, when a man has a hinderance instead of a help meet in the wife of his bosom. Solomon kept up the holy sacrifices, according to the law of Moses. In vain had the altar been built, in vain had fire come down from heaven, if sacrifices had not been constantly brought. Spiritual sacrifices are required of us, which we are to bring daily and weekly; it is good to be in a settled method of devotion. When the service of the temple was put into good order, it is said, The house of the Lord was perfected. The work was the main matter, not the place; the temple was unfinished till all this was done. Canaan was a rich country, and yet must send to Ophir for gold The Israelites were a wise people, but must be beholden to the king of Tyre for men that had knowledge of the seas. Grace, and not gold, is the best riches, and acquaintance with God and his law, the best knowledge. Leaving the children of this world to scramble for the toys of this world, may we, as the children of God, lay up our treasure in heaven, that where our treasure is, our hearts also may be.