They gave money also unto the masons, and to the carpenters; and meat, and drink, and oil, unto them of Zidon, and to them of Tyre, to bring cedar trees from Lebanon to the sea of Joppa, according to the grant that they had of Cyrus king of Persia.
Ver. 7. They gave money also unto the masons and carpenters] Who usually get it and eat it, laying up little; their life is called the life of their hands, because maintained by the labour of their hands, Isaiah 57:10; Isaiah 57:14; day wages they must have, or they cannot subsist; and these good Jews spared for no cost, but gave money out of the bag freely to these workmen. Idolaters care not what cost they cast away upon their dumb idols: Drum alienum dotant, so some read that text, Psalms 16:4. The Turkish stately mosques, and Popish Basilicae, stuffed with vowed presents and memories, as they call them, are things known to all. When the famous artificer Phidias advised the Athenians to make the statue of Minerva rather of marble than of ivory, 1. Because more durable, this passed with allowance; 2. Because less chargeable, this they abhorred, and bade him say no more of such a matter.
And meat, and drink, and oil] More prized by the Tyrians and Sidonians than money, because their country was nourished by this country, Acts 12:20, as being barren, and not bringing forth provision enough for themselves. Diogenes deeply taxed the folly of his Athenians, that prized money so much and bread grain so little; when as the life of man could be without that, but not without the other.
To bring cedar trees] Smooth and durable, and every way fit for fair buildings; and, therefore, made choice of by God himself, 2 Samuel 7:7, by Solomon for the first temple, 1 Kings 5:6, and by these Jews for the second. The temple of Diana at Ephesus was likewise built of cedar; as the devil affecteth to be God's ape.
To the sea of Joppa] This was a harbour, Jos 19:46 3 John 1:3, and hath its name, a pulchritudine et elegantia, from its beauty and bravery, such as draweth love and liking. It might have been called The Fair Havens, as well as that place nigh unto the city of Lasea, Acts 27:8, which retaineth the same name unto this day.
According to the grant] Or licence, which they took in the largest extent, as we also ought to do God's gracious promises. Promissa sunt amplianda; and we must labour to see our own names written in them.