Matthew Poole and continuators on 1 Kings 5:6

6 Now therefore command thou, that they hew me cedar-trees out of Lebanon , and my servants shall be with thy servants : and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants , according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber, like unto the Sidonians .

i. e. Thy servants, as appears both from the foregoing words, command, &c. and from the following opposition of my servants. And this assistance which these Gentiles gave to the building of Solomon's Temple, was a Type of the calling of the Gontiles, and that they should be very instrumental in the building and constituting of Christs Spiritual Temple, [illegible: 1+ letters]o wit▪ his Church.

Which for their soundness, and strength, and fragrancy, and durableness, were most excellent and proper for his design. Of these David had procured some, but not a sufficient number.

Which was either wholly or impart in Solomon's Jurisdiction: and therefore he doth not desire that Hiram would give him the Cedars, because they were his own already; but onely that his servants might hew them for him; which required Art and Skill, in the time and manner of▪ doing of it; all which the ingenious Tyrians well understood.

Either to be employed therein as they shall direct; or to receive the Cedars, being cut down and [illegible: 1+ letters]wed, from their hands, and to transmit them to me; although Hiram in his return eased him of that trouble.

i. e. Pay them for their Labour and Art.

Or, Tyrians: for these places and people being near, and subject to Hiram, are promiscuously used one for another.

Marginal references: Heb. say.