1 Kings 5:1 - Meaning and Application

Here we have the friendly exchange between Solomon and Hiram. Tyre was a famous seaport near Israel’s border, and its people do not seem to have been among the nations marked for destruction. They had not been at war with Israel, so David never tried to destroy them, but lived in peace with them. Hiram, their king, is described as a lifelong friend of David, and it is likely he also worshiped the true God, even if he could not reform the idolatry in his city.

David’s good character won the goodwill of even those outside Israel. Hiram’s first act was to send a message of sympathy and respect to Solomon, the new king, to comfort him after David’s death and renew their alliance. It is wise to keep strong ties with families where religion is honored.

Solomon then sent a message to Hiram about a matter of business. Though Hiram was far below Solomon in wealth, honor, and power, Solomon still needed his help and asked for his favor. We should never look down on people beneath us, because we may soon need them.

In his letter, Solomon first explained his plan to build a temple for God. Some think the temples of the pagans may have been copied from the tabernacle Moses built in the wilderness, though many false-god temples had already been built before this one. That only shows that outward splendor is no sure sign of the true church.

Solomon told Hiram that David’s wars kept him from building the temple, even though he had wanted to do it (1 Kings 5:3). The wars took much of his time, thoughts, and care, and they also demanded constant spending and work from the people. So David could not carry out the project properly, and it had to wait for his son. This reminds us to pray for peace in our own time, because the building of Christ’s gospel temple usually moves slowly during war and trouble.

Peace gave Solomon the chance to begin, and he meant to start at once: God had given him rest on every side, with no enemy and no Satanic opposition to disturb the work (1 Kings 5:4). Satan does all he can to hinder temple work (1 Thessalonians 2:18; Zechariah 3:1), but when he is bound (Revelation 20:2), God’s people should stay busy. When there is no hardship pressing in, then we should be eager to do good and push it forward. When churches have rest, they should be strengthened and built up (Acts 9:31).

Days of peace and success are like a favorable wind, and we must answer to God if we waste them. God’s providence had given Solomon wealth and free time, and that stirred him to think about the temple. God’s promise also encouraged him, because David had been told that his son would build God a house (1 Kings 5:5). Solomon would gladly take up that honor, and God’s promise should make us more eager for good work as well.

Solomon also asked Hiram to help him with the building. The timber had to come from Lebanon, a great forest in northern Canaan, which had been included in Israel’s granted land (Joshua 13:5). In that sense, the trees belonged to Israel. The cedars of Lebanon were especially seen as planted by the Lord for this purpose (Psalm 104:16), set apart for Israel’s use and for temple work.

Still, Solomon admitted that Israel did not have men who could cut timber as skillfully as the Sidonians, Hiram’s people. Canaan was a land of grain and wine (Deuteronomy 8:8), so Israel was more trained in farming than in skilled trades. The Sidonians were better craftsmen. In the things of God, Israel were wise and understanding people, yet in fine arts they were behind their neighbors. Real godliness is a far better gift from heaven than great skill. It is better to be an Israelite skilled in God’s law than a Sidonian skilled at cutting timber.

So Solomon asked Hiram to send workmen, and he promised to help and pay them (1 Kings 5:6). His servants would work alongside Hiram’s servants, and he would give wages for their labor. Even in church work, a laborer deserves his pay. The gospel prophet seems to point to this when he foretells the glory of the church in the Messiah’s day, saying that foreigners would help build its walls, and that the wealth of Lebanon would be brought in to beautify it (Isaiah 60:10, 13). In that picture, all kinds of gifts and abilities serve Christ’s kingdom.

Hiram received Solomon’s message with great joy (1 Kings 5:7). He was glad that Solomon followed David’s path and carried out his plans, and that he would likely be such a blessing to his kingdom. Hiram’s generous heart rejoiced in that, not merely in the chance to make money from Solomon’s work. He praised God for it, saying, “Blessed be the Lord, who has given David a wise son to rule over this great people.” He spoke warmly of Solomon’s wisdom and wide rule, and we should learn not to envy others their outward success or mental gifts.

It is a great comfort to those who care for God’s people to see wisdom and religion passed down from one generation to the next, especially in great families that influence many others. When godly parents are given a godly child (Malachi 2:15), it is a hopeful sign that the blessing will continue. Hiram then answered Solomon’s request with equal goodwill, ready to help in the good work.

His first wisdom was to think the matter through before replying (1 Kings 5:8). People who make quick bargains often later wish they could undo them.

The virtuous woman considers a field and then buys it (Proverbs 31:16). Those who take time to think things through do not waste time. Hiram, the king of Tyre, and Solomon made their agreement in careful detail, so there would be no later confusion or quarrel.

Solomon had already spoken about cutting down the trees (1 Kings 5:6), and Hiram agreed to that part (1 Kings 5:8). But they had not yet said how the timber would be moved, so that had to be settled too. Land transport would have been slow and expensive, so Hiram promised to send all the timber down from Lebanon by sea, along the coast. Water transport is a great help to trade, and we should thank God, who taught people this skill and wisdom.

Notice how clear Hiram made the bargain. Solomon had to name the place where the timber would be delivered, and Hiram would bring it there and be responsible for it. The Sidonians, the people of Sidon, were better at sailing than the Israelites, just as they were skilled in timber work. Tyre and Sidon stood at the edge of the sea (Ezekiel 27:3), so they were the right people to handle the water transport. Every worker has his own trade.

If Hiram would do the work and carry out Solomon’s wishes about the timber (1 Kings 5:8), then it was fair for him to expect payment. He asked Solomon to provide food for his household (1 Kings 5:9), meaning not only for the workers, but also for his own family. If Tyre gave Israel skilled workers, then Israel would give Tyre grain and food (Ezekiel 27:17). In this way, God’s wise providence makes one nation need another and benefit from another, so that all may show his glory as our common Father.