1 Kings 5:8

8 Then Hiram sent a reply to Solomon, saying: “I have received your message; I will do all you desire regarding the cedar and cypress ^[a] timber.

1 Kings 5:8 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 5:8

And Hiram sent to Solomon
A letter to him, to the following purpose:

saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for;
whether he could, and whether it was fitting he should grant his request; which was acting like a wise and prudent prince:

[and] I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and
concerning timber of fir;
or of cypress, as in Josephus's copy of this letter, and which grew on Lebanon ^F3; these were odorous, sound, and durable timber, especially the cedar, and therefore chosen by Solomon for building.

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FOOTNOTES:

F3 Diodor. Sic. l. 19. p. 700.

1 Kings 5:8 In-Context

6 Now therefore, order that cedars of Lebanon be cut down for me. My servants will be with your servants, and I will pay your servants whatever wages you set, for you know that there are none among us as skilled in logging as the Sidonians.”

7 When Hiram received Solomon’s message, he rejoiced greatly and said, “Blessed be the LORD this day! He has given David a wise son over this great people!”

8 Then Hiram sent a reply to Solomon, saying: “I have received your message; I will do all you desire regarding the cedar and cypress timber.

9 My servants will haul the logs from Lebanon to the Sea, and I will float them as rafts by sea to the place you specify. There I will separate the logs, and you can take them away. And in exchange, you can meet my needs by providing my household with food.”

10 So Hiram provided Solomon with all the cedar and cypress timber he wanted,

Footnotes

• [a]. Or pine or juniper or fir; also in verse 10