1 Kings 5:4-14

4 "But now ¹the LORD my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor misfortune.

5 "Behold, ²I 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 ³cedars 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."

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

8 So Hiram sent word to Solomon, saying, "I have heard the message which you have sent me; I will do what you desire concerning the cedar and cypress timber.

9 "My servants will bring them down from Lebanon to the sea; and I will make them into rafts to go by sea ⁴to the place where you direct me, and I will have them broken up there, and you shall carry them away. Then ⁵you shall accomplish my desire by giving food to my household."

10 So Hiram gave Solomon as much as he desired of the cedar and cypress timber.

11 ⁶Solomon then gave Hiram 20,000 * kors of wheat as food for his household, and twenty kors of beaten oil; thus Solomon would give Hiram year by year.

12 ⁷The LORD gave wisdom to Solomon, just as He promised him; and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a covenant.

Conscription of Laborers

13 Now ⁸King Solomon levied forced laborers from all Israel; and the forced laborers numbered 30,000 * men.

14 He sent them to Lebanon, 10,000 * a month in relays; they were in Lebanon a month and two months at home. And ⁹Adoniram was over the forced laborers.

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1 Kings 5:4-14 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 9

1. 1 Kings 4:24; 1 Chronicles 22:9
2. 2 Samuel 7:12, 13; 1 Chronicles 17:12; 1 Chronicles 22:10; 1 Chronicles 28:6; 2 Chronicles 2:4
3. 2 Chronicles 2:8
4. 2 Chronicles 2:16
5. Ezra 3:7; Ezekiel 27:17
6. 2 Chronicles 2:10
7. 1 Kings 3:12
8. 1 Kings 4:6; 1 Kings 9:15
9. 1 Kings 4:6; 1 Kings 12:18

Footnotes 12

[a]. Lit "evil occurrence"
[b]. Lit "say"
[c]. Lit "all your pleasure"
[d]. Lit "send"
[e]. Heb "Hirom"
[f]. Lit "was giving"
[g]. Lit "all his desire"
[h]. I.e. One kor equals approx 10 bu
[i]. I.e. One kor equals approx 10 bu
[j]. Lit "spoke to"
[k]. Lit "raised up"
[l]. Lit "was"