1 And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David.
2 And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,
3 Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.
4 But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.
5 And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.
6 Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians.
7 And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people.
8 And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir.
9 My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household.
10 So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire.
11 And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year.
12 And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.
13 And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.
14 And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses: a month they were in Lebanon, and two months at home: and Adoniram was over the levy.
15 And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains;
16 Beside the chief of Solomon's officers which were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in the work.
17 And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.
18 And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.
1 Kings is a book in the Old Testament of the Holy Bible, and it is part of the historical books that chronicle the history of Israel from King David's reign to the Babylonian exile. Chapter 5 of 1 Kings continues the story of King Solomon, David's son, and his reign over Israel. In this chapter, we see Solomon's wisdom and his ability to establish alliances and partnerships with neighboring nations. The main themes of this chapter include the building of the temple, the provision of materials for the temple, and the fulfillment of God's promise to David.
The first part of 1 Kings chapter 5 focuses on Solomon's plans to build the temple in Jerusalem. David, Solomon's father, had desired to build a house for God, but God had promised to establish David's kingdom and allow his son to build the temple in his place. In verse 5, Solomon acknowledges that God had given him peace on all sides, and now he had rest from his enemies. This peace and rest allowed him to focus on building the temple.
Solomon sends a message to Hiram, the king of Tyre, requesting materials and skilled workers to assist in building the temple. Hiram had been a friend of David and had maintained a good relationship with Solomon. He responds positively to Solomon's request and sends materials such as cedar trees and skilled workers to help in the construction of the temple.
This partnership with Hiram is significant as it shows Solomon's wisdom in seeking help and resources from other nations. It also demonstrates the fulfillment of God's promise to David, as he had said that he would provide a successor who would build the temple.
The second part of 1 Kings chapter 5 focuses on the materials that were gathered for the building of the temple. Solomon levies a labor force of 30,000 men from Israel, and he sends them to Lebanon to cut down cedar trees. He also levies a monthly provision of wheat, barley, and oil for the workers. This shows Solomon's wisdom in managing resources and providing for the needs of the workers.
The materials for the temple were not only from Israel but also from other nations. The workers from Lebanon were skilled in cutting and shaping the stones for the temple, and they were assisted by the workers from Israel. This partnership between the two nations is significant in the construction of the temple and shows the cooperation and unity between them.
The chapter also mentions the involvement of the Sidonians in providing materials for the temple. They were skilled in working with bronze, and they provided bronze pillars, doors, and other items for the temple. This demonstrates the fulfillment of God's promise to David that his son would have the resources and materials to build the temple.
The final part of 1 Kings chapter 5 emphasizes the fulfillment of God's promise to David. In verses 12-13, God speaks to Solomon in a dream and reaffirms his promise to David. He promises to establish Solomon's kingdom and to give him wisdom and understanding. God also promises to give Solomon peace and rest from his enemies, just as he had given to David.
The chapter ends with a summary of the materials that were gathered for the temple. It mentions the number of workers and the materials provided by Hiram, the workers from Lebanon, and the Sidonians. This shows that God's promise to David was not only fulfilled in the provision of resources but also in the cooperation and unity of different nations in building the temple.
1 Kings chapter 5 showcases the wisdom and leadership of King Solomon in carrying out God's plan to build the temple in Jerusalem. It also highlights the fulfillment of God's promise to David and the unity between different nations in the construction of the temple. This chapter teaches us several important lessons:
God is faithful to His promises
God had promised to establish David's kingdom and allow his son to build the temple. In 1 Kings chapter 5, we see the fulfillment of this promise as God provides the resources and materials for the temple and gives Solomon wisdom and understanding to carry out the task. This reminds us that God is faithful to His promises, and He will fulfill them in His perfect timing.
Wisdom and cooperation are essential for success
Solomon's wisdom in seeking help and resources from other nations, as well as his ability to manage and provide for the workers, played a crucial role in the construction of the temple. The cooperation and unity between different nations also contributed to the success of the project. This teaches us the importance of wisdom, cooperation, and unity in accomplishing God's plans and purposes.
God's plans involve the participation of His people
God could have easily provided all the resources and materials for the temple without involving the people of Israel and other nations. However, He chose to involve them in the construction of the temple. This shows that God's plans often involve the participation of His people. We are called to use our skills, resources, and abilities to contribute to God's kingdom and His plans for our lives.
God's promises are not limited by human limitations
Despite the limitations of human resources and materials, God's promise to David was not hindered. He provided everything that was needed for the construction of the temple, and He also gave Solomon the wisdom and understanding to oversee the project. This reminds us that God's promises are not limited by our human limitations. He is able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all that we can ask or think.
In conclusion, 1 Kings chapter 5 is a significant chapter in the history of Israel as it showcases the wisdom and leadership of King Solomon in building the temple in Jerusalem. It also highlights the fulfillment of God's promise to David and the unity between different nations in accomplishing God's plans. This chapter teaches us important lessons about God's faithfulness, the importance of wisdom and cooperation, and the involvement of God's people in His plans. It reminds us that God's promises are not limited by human limitations, and He is able to accomplish His plans in His perfect timing.
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