What Does 2 Chronicles 2:14 Mean?

(14) **The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan.**—In 1Kings 7:14 Hiram is called “son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali.” “Bertheau explains,” She was by birth a Danite, married into the tribe of Naphtali, became a widow, and as a widow of the tribe of Naphtali became the wife of a man of Tyre, by whom she had a son Huram. Thus two of the tribes of Israel could boast that on the mother’s side Huram belonged to them.” But in the Hebrew words “daughters of Dan” it is possible to see a corruption of the word NAPHTALI. **Skilful.**—This epithet belongs to Huram, not to his Tyrian father. **To work in gold.**—1Kings 7:14 calls Huram simply “a worker in brass,” or bronze. **Purple.**—The strictly Hebrew form (2Chronicles 2:7). **Fine linen** (*bûç,* byssus).—1Chronicles 15:27. Neither this material of Huram’s art, nor *stone* nor *timber* was mentioned in 2Chronicles 2:7. Huram is naturally represented as enhancing the accomplishments of his artist. **To find out every device which shall be put to him.**—Rather, *to devise any manner of device that may be given him.* (to devise); that is, to invent all kinds of artistic objects according to commission. The words are a reminiscence of Exodus 31:4; Exodus 35:32, probably interpolated by the chronicler. **With thy cunning men**—i.e., to work along with them. (Comp. verse. 7.) **My lord David.**—A touch of Oriental politeness. Huram was independent of David, as of Solomon.