1 Kings 5
1 Kings 5 consists of passages that show King Solomon’s process of preparing for the construction of the temple and illustrate Israel’s peace and prosperity. This chapter focuses on friendly relations with surrounding nations, especially Solomon’s collaboration with King Hiram of Tyre, as well as Solomon’s management and organization of his people.
1verseHiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon, for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the place of his father, and Hiram had always loved David.
2verseSolomon sent to Hiram, saying,
3verse“You know that David my father could not build a house for the name of the LORD his God because of the wars which were around him on every side, until the LORD put his enemies under the soles of his feet.
4verseBut now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side. There is no enemy and no evil occurrence.
5verseBehold, I 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 shall build the house for my name.’
6verseNow therefore command that cedar trees be cut for me out of Lebanon. 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 nobody among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians.”
7verseWhen Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly, and said, “Blessed is the LORD today, who has given to David a wise son to rule over this great people.”
8verseHiram sent to Solomon, saying, “I have heard the message which you have sent to me. I will do all your desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning cypress timber.
9verseMy servants will bring them down from Lebanon to the sea. I will make them into rafts to go by sea to the place that you specify to me, and will cause them to be broken up there, and you will receive them. You will accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household.”
10verseSo Hiram gave Solomon cedar timber and cypress timber according to all his desire.
11verseSolomon gave Hiram twenty thousand cors of wheat for food to his household, and twenty cors of pure oil. Solomon gave this to Hiram year by year.
12verseThe LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him. There was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty together.
13verseKing Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.
14verseHe sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses: for a month they were in Lebanon, and two months at home; and Adoniram was over the men subject to forced labor.
15verseSolomon had seventy thousand who bore burdens, and eighty thousand who were stone cutters in the mountains,
16versebesides Solomon’s chief officers who were over the work: three thousand three hundred who ruled over the people who labored in the work.
17verseThe king commanded, and they cut out large stones, costly stones, to lay the foundation of the house with worked stone.
18verseSolomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders and the Gebalites cut them, and prepared the timber and the stones to build the house.
Alliance with King Hiram of Tyre
To build the temple, Solomon asks King Hiram of Tyre for the help of great trees and skilled craftsmen. Since Hiram had been friendly with Israel since the days of David, he readily responds to Solomon’s request and promises to provide good timber and experts. This process demonstrates how Israel and neighboring nations cooperate peacefully.
Solomon’s Organized Preparation
Solomon mobilizes a large amount of labor to prepare the resources needed for the temple’s construction. He selects workers among the people of Israel and assigns tasks effectively. The thorough planning and preparation for the temple is a glimpse of Solomon’s qualities as a wise king.
Structure of 1 Kings Chapter 5
- Verses 1–6: Alliance with King Hiram and the temple-building plan
- Verses 7–12: Hiram’s response and Solomon’s agreement
- Verses 13–18: Solomon’s organization and preparation for building the temple
Meditation Points
- Solomon worked with neighboring nations and made the most of his own capabilities in the task of building God’s house. What kind of preparation and mindset should we bring when doing what we offer to God?
- Like Solomon, it would be good to consider how to use times of peace and prosperity, applying it to each person’s life.
Try Applying It to Me
I reflect on what preparation I am making to accomplish the work or mission entrusted to me, and whether, in the process, I cooperate with others to create harmony. I meditate on living wisely by preparing for and using opportunities like Solomon, and on having the mindset of offering all things to God.
