1 Kings 5

Listen to 1 Kings 5

Preparations for Building the Temple

1 [a] Now 1Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, 2for Hiram always loved David.
2 And Solomon sent word to Hiram,
3 3"You know that David my father could not build a house for the name of the LORD his God 4because of the warfare with which his enemies surrounded him, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.
4 5But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune.
5 And so I intend to build a house for the name of the LORD my God, 6as the LORD said to David my father, 'Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.'
6 Now therefore command that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. And my servants will join your servants, and I will pay you for your servants such wages as you set, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians."
7 As soon as Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, "Blessed be the LORD this day, who has given to David a wise son to be over this great people."
8 And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, "I have heard the message that you have sent to me. I am ready to do all you desire in the matter of cedar and cypress timber.
9 My servants shall bring it down to the sea from Lebanon, and I will make it into rafts to go by sea to the place you direct. And I will have them broken up there, and you shall receive it. And you shall meet my wishes 7by providing food for my household."
10 So Hiram supplied Solomon with all the timber of cedar and cypress that he desired,
11 while Solomon gave Hiram 20,000 cors[b] of wheat as food for his household, and 20,000[c] cors of beaten oil. Solomon gave this to Hiram year by year.
12 And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, 8as he promised him. And there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.
13 King Solomon drafted 9forced labor out of all Israel, and the draft numbered 30,000 men.
14 And he sent them to Lebanon, 10,000 a month in shifts. They would be a month in Lebanon and two months at home. 10Adoniram was in charge of the draft.
15 Solomon also 11had 70,000 burden-bearers and 80,000 stonecutters in the hill country,
16 besides Solomon's 3,300 12chief officers who were over the work, 13who had charge of the people who carried on the work.
17 At the king's command 14they quarried out great, costly stones in order to lay the foundation of the house with dressed stones.
18 So Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders and 15the men of Gebal did the cutting and prepared the timber and the stone to build the house.

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?

Cross References 15

  • 1. [2 Chronicles 2:3]
  • 2. 2 Samuel 5:11; 1 Chronicles 14:1
  • 3. For ver. 3-11, see 2 Chronicles 2:3-16
  • 4. 1 Chronicles 22:8; 1 Chronicles 28:3
  • 5. [1 Kings 4:24; 1 Chronicles 22:9]
  • 6. 2 Samuel 7:13; 1 Chronicles 17:12; 1 Chronicles 22:10; 1 Chronicles 28:6
  • 7. [Ezra 3:7; Ezekiel 27:17; Acts 12:20]
  • 8. 1 Kings 3:12
  • 9. 1 Kings 4:6; 1 Kings 9:15
  • 10. See 1 Kings 4:6
  • 11. 2 Chronicles 2:18; [1 Kings 9:20-22]
  • 12. 1 Kings 4:5
  • 13. 1 Kings 9:23
  • 14. [1 Kings 6:7; 1 Chronicles 22:2]
  • 15. Joshua 13:5; Ezekiel 27:9

Footnotes 3

  • [a]. Ch 5:15 in Hebrew
  • [b]. A cor was about 6 bushels or 220 liters
  • [c]. Septuagint; Hebrew twenty

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.

1 Kings 5 Commentaries

The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.