See 1 Kings 6:2 note. In Jewish eyes, at the time that the temple was built, it may have been "great," that is to say, it may have exceeded the dimensions of any single separate building existing in Palestine up to the time of its erection.

Great is our God ... - This may seem inappropriate as addressed to a pagan king. But it appears 2 Chronicles 2:11-12 that Hiram acknowledged Yahweh as the supreme deity, probably identifying Him with his own Melkarth.

And the house which I build is great,.... Not so very large, though that, with all apartments and courts belonging to it, he intended to build, was so; but because magnificent in its structure and decorations:

for great is our God above all gods; and therefore ought to have a temple to exceed all others, as the temple at Jerusalem did.

In order properly to worship Jahve by these sacrifices, the temple must be large, because Jahve is greater than all gods; cf. Exodus 18:11; Deuteronomy 10:17.

No one is able (כּוח עצר as in 1 Chronicles 29:14) to build a house in which this God could dwell, for the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him. These words are a reminiscence of Solomon's prayer (1 Kings 8:27; 2 Chronicles 6:18). How should I((Solomon) be able to build Him a house, scil. that He should dwell therein? In connection with this, there then comes the thought: and that is not my purpose, but only to offer incense before Him will I build a temple. הקטיר is used as pars pro toto, to designate the whole worship of the Lord. After this declaration of the purpose, there follows in Deuteronomy 10:6 the request that he would send him for this end a skilful chief workman, and the necessary material, viz., costly woods. The chief workman was to be a man wise to work in gold, silver, etc. According to 2 Chronicles 4:11-16 and 1 Kings 7:13., he prepared the brazen and metal work, and the vessels of the temple; here, on the contrary, and in 2 Chronicles 2:13 also, he is described as a man who was skilful also in purple weaving, and in stone and wood work, to denote that he was an artificer who could take charge of all the artistic work connected with the building of the temple. To indicate this, all the costly materials which were to be employed for the temple and its vessels are enumerated. ארגּון, the later form of ארגּמן, deep-red purple, see on Exodus 25:4. כּרמיל, occurring only here, 2 Chronicles 2:6, 2 Chronicles 2:13, and in 2 Chronicles 3:14, in the signification of the Heb. שׁני תּולעת, crimson or scarlet purple, see on Exodus 25:4. It is not originally a Hebrew word, but is probably derived from the Old-Persian, and has been imported, along with the thing itself, from Persia by the Hebrews. תּכלת, deep-blue purple, hyacinth purple, see on Exodus 25:4. פּתּוּהים פּתּח, to make engraved work, and Exodus 28:9, Exodus 28:11, Exodus 28:36, and Exodus 39:6, of engraving precious stones, but used here, as כּל־פּתּוּח, 2 Chronicles 2:13, shows, in the general signification of engraved work in metal or carved work in wood; cf. 1 Kings 6:29. עם־החכמים depends upon לעשׂות: to work in gold ..., together with the wise (skilful) men which are with me in Judah. הכין אשׁר, quos comparavit, cf. 1 Chronicles 28:21; 1 Chronicles 22:15.

And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods.

2:5 Great - For though the temple strictly so called, was but small, yet the buildings belonging to it, were large and numerous.

2:1-18 Solomon's message to Huram respecting the temple, His treaty with Huram. - Solomon informs Huram of the particular services to be performed in the temple. The mysteries of the true religion, unlike those of the Gentile superstitions, sought not concealment. Solomon endeavoured to possess Huram with great and high thoughts of the God of Israel. We should not be afraid or ashamed to embrace every opportunity to speak of God, and to impress others with a deep sense of the importance of his favour and service. Now that the people of Israel kept close to the law and worship of God, the neighbouring nations were willing to be taught by them in the true religion, as the Israelites had been willing in the days of their apostacy, to be infected with the idolatries and superstitions of their neighbours. A wise and pious king is an evidence of the Lord's special love for his people. How great then was God's love to his believing people, in giving his only-begotten Son to be their Prince and their Saviour.