1 Kings 5:1-9

Preparations for Building the Temple

1 ^[a] Now ¹Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, ²for Hiram always loved David.

2 And Solomon sent word to Hiram,

3 ³"You know that David my father could not build a house for the name of the LORD his God ⁴because of the warfare with which his enemies surrounded him, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.

4 ⁵But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune.

5 And so I intend to build a house for the name of the LORD my God, ⁶as the LORD said to David my father, 'Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.'

6 Now therefore command that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. And my servants will join your servants, and I will pay you for your servants such wages as you set, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians."

7 As soon as Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, "Blessed be the LORD this day, who has given to David a wise son to be over this great people."

8 And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, "I have heard the message that you have sent to me. I am ready to do all you desire in the matter of cedar and cypress timber.

9 My servants shall bring it down to the sea from Lebanon, and I will make it into rafts to go by sea to the place you direct. And I will have them broken up there, and you shall receive it. And you shall meet my wishes ⁷by providing food for my household."

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1 Kings 5:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO FIRST KINGS 5

This chapter relates Solomon's preparation for building the temple: on Hiram, king of Tyre, sending a congratulatory letter to him, he returned another to him, signifying his intention to build an house for God, and requesting him to supply him with timber, and men to work it, 1Ki 5:1-6; to which Hiram readily agreed, and sent him cedar and fir, and Solomon in return sent him food for his household; and things went on very amicably between them, 1Ki 5:7-12; the chapter concludes with an account of Solomon's workmen, where, how, and in what they were employed, 1Ki 5:13-18.

Taken from John Gill's Exposition of the Bible

Cross References 7

1. [2 Chronicles 2:3]
2. 2 Samuel 5:11; 1 Chronicles 14:1
3. For ver. 3-11, see 2 Chronicles 2:3-16
4. 1 Chronicles 22:8; 1 Chronicles 28:3
5. [1 Kings 4:24; 1 Chronicles 22:9]
6. 2 Samuel 7:13; 1 Chronicles 17:12; 1 Chronicles 22:10; 1 Chronicles 28:6
7. [Ezra 3:7; Ezekiel 27:17; Acts 12:20]

Footnotes 1

[a]. Ch 5:15 in Hebrew

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.