Today, when there is a major building project to complete, we might expect a bid request to be sent out, with the contract awarded to the lowest bidder. But in 2 Chronicles 2, as Solomon begins his preparations for the construction of Israel’s temple, he wasn’t interested in getting that many parties involved. Instead, he went straight to Hiram the king of Tyre (v 3). Plenty of free labor would be provided by foreigners living in Israel, presumably most of whom were prisoners of war (v 1-2, 17-18). But Tyre was the place to go for quality building materials and skilled laborers. Their natural resources and technical skills were well-known throughout the ancient world. Solomon’s letter to Hiram provides a helpful glimpse into the king’s heart. He was not undertaking this massive project out of a mere sense of duty to complete the work of his father. Solomon’s desire was to worship the God of the universe. And he saw the temple, not as a place to contain the God of the universe, but a place where he and his people could celebrate God’s presence. Because God is so great, the structure must be as grand as possible. And yet, because God is so great, the structure could not possibly be grand enough. Solomon understood that no human being had the capacity to build an adequate place of worship for the Creator of heaven and earth. Still, this building was intended to express the transcendence and supremacy of the LORD, so nothing but the best would be good enough (v 3-10). It appears that Hiram was pleased to do business with Solomon. His reply is significant for it shows that even at this point in history, there were Gentiles who recognized the LORD as Creator. Though not physically descended from Abraham, the king of Tyre embraced Solomon’s vision and his participation was welcomed. Graciously, Hiram begins by praising Israel’s God for having installed someone as wise as Solomon on the throne of the kingdom (v 11-12). Then he announces some good news. Turns out he has just the right person to supervise the temple construction—a man named Huram-abi, whose mother had been an Israelite from the tribe of Dan. He had all the needed skill, and he would be familiar with Solomon’s religion, an added benefit (v 13-14). Also, rather than having the building materials transported on land, Hiram would have his men make big rafts out of the timbers and send them to a convenient harbor from where Solomon’s servants could then move them inland and up the hill to Jerusalem. The contract is eagerly accepted! (v 15-16). For further meditation: