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Hiram, king of Tyre, sent his servants to Solomon, because he had heard that Solomon had been anointed king in place of his father; for Hiram had always been a friend of David.
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Then Solomon sent word to Hiram, saying:
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“You know that David my father could not build a house for the name of the LORD his God, because the enemies fought against him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.
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But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side; there is no adversary and no misfortune threatening.
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And 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, he shall build the house for My name.’
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Now therefore command that cedars of Lebanon be cut down for me, and let my servants help your servants; and I will pay your servants whatever wages you set, for you know that among us there is no one skilled in cutting timber like the Sidonians.”
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When Hiram heard Solomon’s message, he rejoiced greatly and said, “Blessed be the LORD this day, for He has given David a wise son to rule over this great people.”
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Then Hiram sent word to Solomon, saying, “I have heard the message you sent me. Concerning the cedar and cypress timber, I will do all that you desire.
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My servants will bring them down from Lebanon to the sea, and I will make them into rafts on the sea to be brought to the place you show me; there I will have them broken apart, and you may carry them away. Meanwhile, you shall provide food for my household as much as I desire.”
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So Hiram gave Solomon cedar and cypress timber as much as he desired.
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And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand cors of wheat as food for his household, and twenty cors of pressed oil; thus Solomon gave to Hiram year by year.
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And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as He had promised him; and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a covenant.
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King Solomon raised forced labor from all Israel, and the forced labor numbered thirty thousand men.
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He sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand men by turns each month: one month they were in Lebanon, and two months at home. Adoniram was in charge of the forced labor.
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Solomon also had seventy thousand burden-bearers and eighty thousand stonecutters in the mountains,
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besides Solomon’s chief officers who were over the work, three thousand three hundred in number, who supervised the people who were doing the work.
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And the king commanded that they should quarry great stones, costly stones, to lay the foundation of the house with hewn stone.
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So Solomon’s builders, Hiram’s builders, and the men of Gebal cut and prepared the timber and the stones for the building of the house.
🏗️🪚📦 Summary of 1 Kings 5 – Solomon’s Preparations for Building the Temple
1 Kings 5 describes the beginning of the great project of building the Temple, which became the center of worship for the people of Israel. Solomon formed a partnership with Hiram, king of Tyre, to obtain the finest timber and skilled labor from Lebanon. This chapter highlights Solomon’s wisdom in diplomacy, work planning, and aligning spiritual vision with practical execution. This is the beginning of Solomon’s great achievement — building a house for the Lord.
📌 1. Solomon and Hiram’s Friendship (verses 1–12)
➡️ King Hiram of Tyre was a friend of David; when he heard that Solomon had come to the throne, he sent messengers
➡️ Solomon made known his intention to build a house for the LORD, according to the promise to David
➡️ He asked Hiram for help in providing cedar and cypress wood from Lebanon
➡️ Hiram was very pleased and praised the LORD for Solomon’s wisdom
➡️ They made a covenant of peace and exchanged goods: wood from Hiram, and wheat and oil from Solomon
🎯 Wise and peaceful partnership can hasten the fulfillment of God’s great purposes.
📌 2. Workers and Building Logistics (verses 13–18)
➡️ Solomon mobilized 70,000 burden-bearers, 80,000 stonecutters, and 3,600 supervisors
➡️ They prepared great and costly stones for the foundation of the Temple
➡️ All the work was prepared with careful planning and on a large scale
🎯 Service to God requires cooperation, skill, and serious preparation.
📖 Main Lessons
- A spiritual vision (building a house for the LORD) needs to be supported by strategy and healthy relationships
- Wise leadership involves others, including foreign nations, for the glory of God
- Great projects do not happen alone — they require teamwork, unity, and skill
- Service tasks for the Lord are worthy of being done to the highest standard
- Wisdom brings peace and cooperation, not conflict
✨ Spiritual Meaning (New Testament)
“We are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.”
➡️ We are a spiritual temple; cooperation in building the church is holy service.
“Built on the foundation of the apostles… Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone.”
➡️ Just as Solomon built the house of God with chosen stones, the church is built on a firm foundation in Christ.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart…”
➡️ Solomon’s workers reflected a spirit of diligent labor for a divine purpose.
“There are many members… but we are all one body in Christ.”
➡️ Thousands of workers with different tasks worked toward one goal — a picture of a healthy church.
🕊️ “I am about to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God.” – 1 Kings 5:5
🕊️ “Hiram was greatly pleased… and said: Blessed be the LORD.” – 1 Kings 5:7
🕊️ “Solomon gave Hiram… and the LORD gave Solomon wisdom.” – 1 Kings 5:11–12
🕊️ “They prepared great stones, costly stones, for the foundation of the house.” – 1 Kings 5:17
