1 Kings 5

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.

Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,

“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.

But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side. There is no enemy and no evil occurrence.

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.’

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 among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians.”

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.”

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.

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.”

So Hiram gave Solomon cedar timber and cypress timber according to all his desire.

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.

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.

King Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.

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 labor.

Solomon had seventy thousand who bore burdens, and eighty thousand who were stone cutters in the mountains,

besides Solomon’s chief officers who were over the work: three thousand three hundred who ruled over the people who labored in the work.

The king commanded, and they cut out large stones, costly stones, to lay the foundation of the house with worked stone.

Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders and the Gebalites cut them, and prepared the timber and the stones to build the house.

Chapter overviewAI-generated

Overview. This chapter records the preparations for building the temple in Jerusalem, as Solomon initiates the construction project promised by God to David. It highlights international cooperation—particularly with Hiram, king of Tyre—as well as the vast labor and resources mobilized for the task, all under the blessing of divine wisdom and peace.

Flow.

Solomon contacts Hiram of Tyre to secure materials and skilled labor for the temple, citing God’s fulfillment of rest from enemies.
Hiram responds favorably, affirming God’s blessing on Solomon and agreeing to supply cedar and cypress timber, transported by sea.
A formal agreement is established, with Solomon providing annual provisions in exchange for materials and labor.
Solomon organizes a massive workforce, including conscripted labor and skilled artisans, to prepare timber and stone for the temple’s construction.

Connections. Following chapter 4, which emphasizes Solomon’s wisdom and the peace and prosperity of his kingdom, chapter 5 shows how that stability enables the temple project. The rest granted by the LORD () fulfills earlier promises (cf. ) and creates the conditions for worship. The collaboration with Hiram also continues the peaceful foreign relations introduced in David’s reign (cf. ). The detailed preparations here set the stage for the temple’s actual construction in chapter 6, which will focus on the sanctuary’s design and spiritual significance.

What it teaches. The chapter demonstrates how God’s covenant faithfulness to David is advanced through divinely granted peace and wisdom (WCF 7.3), enabling the building of a permanent dwelling for His name. The temple, though not built by David due to his role in wars, is constructed by Solomon as God ordained (; cf. WLC 190–191), reflecting the orderly and communal effort required in God’s service. The cooperation with Hiram, a Gentile ruler, anticipates the nations being drawn to God’s presence (HC LD 12), while the labor and supply arrangements reflect just administration under covenantal responsibility (BC 36). The wisdom given to Solomon () is a fulfillment of God’s promise and a sign of the kingdom’s typological glory, pointing forward to Christ’s greater reign and spiritual temple (CD II.7).

Apply. The temple’s preparation through common labor, international partnership, and faithful stewardship shows how God uses orderly human effort to fulfill His holy purposes.

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