1 Kings 5:1-6

Alliance with King Hiram

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

2 Then ³Solomon sent word to Hiram, saying,

3 "You know that ⁴David my father was unable * to build a house for the name of the LORD his God because * of the wars which surrounded him, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.

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

5 "Behold, ⁶I intend to build a house for the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spoke to David my father, saying, 'Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, he will build the house for My name.'

6 "Now therefore, command that they cut for me ⁷cedars from Lebanon, and my servants will be with your servants; and I will give you wages for your servants according to all that you say, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians."

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1 Kings 5:1-6 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. 2 Chronicles 2:3
4. 2 Samuel 7:5; 1 Chronicles 28:2, 3
5. 1 Kings 4:24; 1 Chronicles 22:9
6. 2 Samuel 7:12, 13; 1 Chronicles 17:12; 1 Chronicles 22:10; 1 Chronicles 28:6; 2 Chronicles 2:4
7. 2 Chronicles 2:8

Footnotes 4

[a]. Ch 5:15 in Heb
[b]. Lit "all the day"
[c]. Lit "evil occurrence"
[d]. Lit "say"