1 Kings Chapter 5
1 Hiram 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.
2 Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,
3 "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.
4 But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side. There is no enemy and no evil occurrence.
5 Behold, 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.'
6 Now 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 amongst us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians."
7 When 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."
8 Hiram 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.
9 My 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."
10 So Hiram gave Solomon cedar timber and cypress timber according to all his desire.
11 Solomon 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.
12 The LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him. There was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty together.
13 King Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.
14 He 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 labour.
15 Solomon had seventy thousand who bore burdens, and eighty thousand who were stone cutters in the mountains;
16 besides Solomon's chief officers who were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, who ruled over the people who laboured in the work.
17 The king commanded, and they cut out large stones, costly stones, to lay the foundation of the house with worked stone.
18 Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders and the Gebalites cut them, and prepared the timber and the stones to build the house.
Footnotes
- Verse 11 (twenty thousand cors)
- 20,000 cors would be about 120,000 bushels or about 4.2 megalitres of wheat, which would weigh about 3,270 metric tonnes.
- Verse 11 (twenty cors)
- 20 cors is about 1,100 gallons or about 4220 litres.
Version: World English Bible
- About World English Bible (WEB)
- WEB Glossary
- WEB Web Site (source documents)
- Bible on one web page
- Download WEB (for MS Word)
Audio
To Listen to this Chapter
The mp3 Audio File should start to play in a new Tab. Then return to this Tab to follow the text whilst listening.
1 Kings Chapter 5 Guide
Solomon turned his attention to building the Temple immediately after he had set his kingdom in order. The first movement in this direction was the treaty with Hiram, and sending relays of men to the forests and quarries to prepare the timber and the stones for the structure. This treaty with Hiram was the result of a legacy of friendship which David had bequeathed him.
It is evident that Solomon appreciated the real purpose of his coming to the throne as he declared that he purposed in his heart to build this dwelling place for God in accordance with the divine word spoken to his father. The time was now opportune, for the nation was at peace, Solomon's own description of conditions being very significant, "But now the Lord my God hath given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary, nor evil occurrence."
The greatness of the work thus undertaken is revealed by the final paragraph in the chapter, with its account of the enormous amount of labour employed.
From "An Exposition of the Whole Bible" by G. Campbell Morgan.
1 Kings Chapter 5 Commentary
Chapter Outline
- 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.--If Tyre supplies Israel with craftsmen, Israel will supply Tyre with corn, Eze 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?
From the "Concise Commentary on the Bible" by Matthew Henry.