1 Kings 5

1 misit quoque Hiram rex Tyri servos suos ad Salomonem audivit enim quod ipsum unxissent regem pro patre eius quia amicus fuerat Hiram David omni tempore

2 misit autem et Salomon ad Hiram dicens

3 tu scis voluntatem David patris mei et quia non potuerit aedificare domum nomini Domini Dei sui propter bella inminentia per circuitum donec daret Dominus eos sub vestigio pedum eius

4 nunc autem requiem dedit Deus meus mihi per circuitum non est Satan neque occursus malus

5 quam ob rem cogito aedificare templum nomini Domini Dei mei sicut locutus est Dominus David patri meo dicens filius tuus quem dabo pro te super solium tuum ipse aedificabit domum nomini meo

6 praecipe igitur ut praecidant mihi cedros de Libano et servi mei sint cum servis tuis mercedem autem servorum tuorum dabo tibi quamcumque praeceperis scis enim quoniam non est in populo meo vir qui noverit ligna caedere sicut Sidonii

7 cum ergo audisset Hiram verba Salomonis laetatus est valde et ait benedictus Dominus hodie qui dedit David filium sapientissimum super populum hunc plurimum

8 et misit Hiram ad Salomonem dicens audivi quaecumque mandasti mihi ego faciam omnem voluntatem tuam in lignis cedrinis et abiegnis

9 servi mei deponent ea de Libano ad mare et ego conponam ea in ratibus in mari usque ad locum quem significaveris mihi et adplicabo ea ibi et tu tolles ea praebebisque necessaria mihi ut detur cibus domui meae

10 itaque Hiram dabat Salomoni ligna cedrina et ligna abiegna iuxta omnem voluntatem eius

11 Salomon autem praebebat Hiram viginti milia chororum tritici in cibum domui eius et viginti choros purissimi olei haec tribuebat Salomon Hiram per annos singulos

12 dedit quoque Dominus sapientiam Salomoni sicut locutus est ei et erat pax inter Hiram et Salomonem et percusserunt foedus ambo

13 legitque rex Salomon operas de omni Israhel et erat indictio triginta milia virorum

14 mittebatque eos in Libanum decem milia per menses singulos vicissim ita ut duobus mensibus essent in domibus suis et Adoniram erat super huiuscemodi indictione

15 fuerunt itaque Salomoni septuaginta milia eorum qui onera portabant et octoginta milia latomorum in monte

16 absque praepositis qui praeerant singulis operibus numero trium milium et trecentorum praecipientium populo et his qui faciebant opus

17 praecepitque rex ut tollerent lapides grandes lapides pretiosos in fundamentum templi et quadrarent eos

18 quos dolaverunt cementarii Salomonis et cementarii Hiram porro Biblii praeparaverunt ligna et lapides ad aedificandam domum

1 Kings 5 Commentary

Chapter 5

Solomon's agreement with Hiram. (1-9) Solomon's workmen for the temple. (10-18)

Verses 1-9 Here is Solomon's design to build a temple. There is no adversary, no Satan, so the word is; no instrument of Satan to oppose it, or to divert from it. Satan does all he can, to hinder temple work. When there is no evil abroad, then let us be ready and active in that which is good, and get forward. Let God's promises quicken our endeavours. And all outward skill and advantages should be made serviceable to the interests of Christ's kingdom. It Tyre supplies Israel with craftsmen, Israel will supply Tyre with corn, ( Ezekiel 27:17 ) . Thus, by the wise disposal of Providence, one country has need of another, and is benefitted by another, that there may be dependence on one another, to the glory of God.

Verses 10-18 The temple was chiefly built by the riches and labour of Gentiles, which typified their being called into the church. Solomon commanded, and they brought costly stones for the foundation. Christ, who is laid for a Foundation, is a chosen and precious Stone. We should lay our foundation firm, and bestow most pains on that part of our religion which lies out of the sight of men. And happy those who, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, for a habitation of God through the Spirit. Who among us will build in the house of the Lord?

Chapter Summary

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.