1 Kings 5
18 verses
The account of Solomon's preparations for the building of the temple, including his negotiations with Hiram king of Tyre for the provision of cedar and other materials, establishes the theological culmination of David's reign and the moment at which the religious center of Israel's covenant identity will be consolidated in Jerusalem. The chapter opens with Solomon's declaration that 'now the YHWH my God has given me rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor misfortune.' Solomon's explanation to Hiram frames the temple as a consequence of the peace that Solomon has inherited and as the fulfillment of a long-standing intention delayed by military struggle. The negotiations with Hiram reveal Solomon's diplomatic skill: he negotiates for timber and skilled craftsmen in exchange for payment in wheat and oil, establishing trade relationships with Phoenicia. The chapter also records Solomon's conscription of labor: 'King Solomon raised a levy of forced labor out of all Israel; the levy numbered thirty thousand men,' emphasizing the economic and human cost of the temple's construction. The theological significance lies in the recognition that the temple represents the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant and the establishment of a permanent dwelling place for YHWH at the center of the kingdom.
VERSES IN THIS CHAPTER
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.
0 0Open verse page →
2
And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,
0 0Open verse page →
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.
0 0Open verse page →
I love how this passage doesn't shy away from the difficulty of obedience. God is faithful in every circumstance.. God i...
4
But now the Lord my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.
1 0Open verse page →
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.
0 0Open verse page →
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.
0 0Open verse page →
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.
0 0Open verse page →
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.
0 0Open verse page →
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.
0 0Open verse page →
10
So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire.
0 0Open verse page →
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.
0 0Open verse page →
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.
0 0Open verse page →
13
And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.
0 0Open verse page →
God is faithful in every circumstance.. The thread of covenant runs through every book of the Bible.. Following God is c...
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.
1 0Open verse page →
15
And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains;
0 1Open verse page →
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.
0 0Open verse page →
17
And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.
0 0Open verse page →
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.
0 0Open verse page →
COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS
No notes on this chapter yet. Be the first to write one!