1 Kings 10:12

By comparing 1 Kings 10:11 with 2 Chronicles 9:10-11, it is clear that the two names refer to the same tree. It came from the same place, Ophir, and it served the same purposes: pillars or props, terraces or stairs, harps and lyres. 2 Chronicles 2:8 presents a difficulty. It seems to say that algum trees came from Lebanon. Yet the same trees are unlikely to be native to two places as unlike each other as Lebanon and Ophir. In that last passage the various trees Huram sent may be listed together without meaning that they all came from Lebanon. It is thought that sandalwood is the tree meant.

The ships of Hiram brought great amounts of almug trees and precious stones from Ophir. The almug trees went into steps (or a balustrade) for both the house of the Lord and the king's house, and into harps and other stringed instruments. Servants of Solomon brought this wood, and it served both the support (the balustrades) and the joy (the music) of the people. So Israel will be supported and rejoicing in the coming kingdom of the Lord Jesus. They will surely thank God for His sustaining grace and for the joy He gives them.

Nothing she looked at was too small to reflect the glory back to her. The stars of heaven differ in their glories. Yet each one is glorious, and each adds something to the shared splendour. It is the same here. There is the house of the king, and his stairway up to the house of God. But there is also the food on his table and the clothing of his servants. These last are glorious like the first — in a different measure, perhaps, but still just as much a part of the glory.

Solomon's was the time of rest. No enemy remained for him to conquer. He had no more preparations to make by trouble and toil. He sits down full of honours and peace. And his was the time of joy also. Then, for the first time, songs broke out from the congregation of Israel. Moses long ago had appointed sacrifices, but the tabernacle had never heard a song. David had appointed the singers, given them their charge, and settled them in their turns of service. Yet all this joy was prepared for Solomon.

David himself invented the instruments, and he did it when Solomon came to the throne in glory. That moment is a picture of the thousand-year reign of Christ on earth. Today praise is tied to His heavenly glory, so it has an entirely spiritual character.

When Christ was born into the world, wise men from the east came and laid their rich gifts at His feet. In the same way, the Gentiles in a future day will come and offer their treasures to the Lord in His temple at Jerusalem. Christ, the desire of all nations, will be the object of their homage. They will delight to bring their finest things to beautify and serve His house, and to glorify His name. By this they will confess that the silver and the gold are His.