1 Kings 5

CHAPTER 5

Preparations for Building the Temple (5:1–18)

(2 Chronicles 2:1–18)

1–6 Hiram king of Tyre²⁵ had been on friendly terms with Solomon’s father David; indeed, he had helped in the building of David’s own palace (2 Samuel 5:11) and he had already provided David with many of the materials needed for the construction of the temple (1 Chronicles 22:4). Therefore, when he heard that Solomon had become king, Hiram sent envoys to him to signal his desire to continue the friendship between the two kingdoms.

Then Solomon sent Hiram a message (verses 3–6), a longer version of which is preserved in 2 Chronicles 2:3–10.²⁶ Solomon said that God had given rest to Israel (verse 4), according to His earlier promises (Exodus 33:14; 2 Samuel 7:11). He also spoke of his intention to build a temple, in accordance with God’s word that His templewastobebuiltbyDavid’sson(2Samuel 7:12–13). The major item that Solomon requested from Hiram was cedar wood cut from the famed cedars of Lebanon (verse 6), a highly valued wood used for major construction projects in the ancient Middle East. The Sidonians (inhabitants of Sidon in presentday Lebanon) were skilled woodsmen whom Solomon wished to hire to fell the timber.

7–9 Hiram sent a reply back to Solomon, a longer version of which is found in 2 Chronicles 2:11–16. Although Hiram, a nonIsraelite, worshiped many gods, he started out by acknowledging Solomon’s God: Praise to the LORD (verse 7), who made heaven and earth (2 Chronicles 2:12). Then he agreed to all of Solomon’s requests; in return, he asked Solomon to provide food for his royal household (verse 9).

10–12 In these verses, the writer sums up the agreement between Hiram and Solomon,²⁷ which resulted in a formal treaty (verse 12).

13–16 Solomon then conscripted thirty thousand Israelite laborers; these were sent to Lebanon in shifts, so that each laborer worked a total of four months out of the year. This forced labor was under the direction of Adoniram (2 Samuel 20:24; 1 Kings 4:6). Together with the burden of the provisions the Israelites were required to supply, this forcedlabor program led directly to a civil uprising and the eventual splitting apart of Solomon’s kingdom (1 Kings 12:1–21).

In addition to the Israelite laborers, Solomon employed large numbers of non Israelite carriers and stonecutters (verse 15);accordingto2Chronicles2:17–18,these were aliens who were living within the borders of Israel at the time.²⁸

17–18 Here the writer mentions the large blocks of quality stone which were used to provide a foundation for the temple. Some of these stones were over four meters in length (1 Kings 7:10); they can still be seen in Jerusalem today.