1 Kings Chapter 5 — Preparations for the Temple
King Solomon forms a diplomatic alliance with King Hiram of Tyre to secure high-quality timber and skilled labor for the construction of the Temple.
1Hiram 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.
2Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,
3“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.
4But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side. There is no enemy and no evil occurrence.
5Behold, 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.’
6Now 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.”
7When 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.”
8Hiram 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.
9My 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.”
10So Hiram gave Solomon cedar timber and cypress timber according to all his desire.
11Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand cors*20,000 cors would be about 120,000 bushels or about 4.2 megaliters of wheat, which would weigh about 3,270 metric tons. of wheat for food to his household, and twenty cors†20 cors is about 1,100 gallons or about 4220 liters. of pure oil. Solomon gave this to Hiram year by year.
12The LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him. There was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty together.
13King Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.
14He 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.
15Solomon had seventy thousand who bore burdens, and eighty thousand who were stone cutters in the mountains,
16besides Solomon’s chief officers who were over the work: three thousand three hundred who ruled over the people who labored in the work.
17The king commanded, and they cut out large stones, costly stones, to lay the foundation of the house with worked stone.
18Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders and the Gebalites cut them, and prepared the timber and the stones to build the house.
WEB Translation
Notable Verses
1 Kings 5:4
“But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side. There is no enemy and no evil occurrence.”
This verse explains that the peace in Solomon's kingdom finally allowed for the Temple's construction to begin.
1 Kings 5:12
“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.”
It emphasizes that Solomon's diplomatic success was a direct result of the wisdom God provided.
Chapter Summary
Following the peace established during his reign, King Solomon initiates the construction of the Temple, a task his father David could not complete due to constant warfare. Solomon reaches out to King Hiram of Tyre, a long-time friend of David, to secure cedar and cypress wood from Lebanon. Hiram agrees to the proposal in exchange for annual provisions of wheat and oil for his household. This diplomatic treaty facilitates a massive logistical operation involving tens of thousands of laborers, stonecutters, and porters. Solomon organizes a rotating levy of thirty thousand Israelites and employs skilled craftsmen from both nations to prepare the timber and large, costly stones for the Temple's foundation. The chapter highlights the wisdom granted to Solomon as he manages this international partnership and the vast resources required for the sacred project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Solomon sought Hiram's help because the Sidonians were renowned for their skill in cutting timber. Additionally, Lebanon was a primary source for high-quality cedar and cypress wood needed for the Temple's construction.
Solomon provided Hiram with twenty thousand cors of wheat and twenty cors of pure oil annually. This trade supported Hiram’s household while securing the specialized materials and expertise needed for the building.
Solomon raised a levy of thirty thousand men from Israel, who worked in monthly rotations. He also employed seventy thousand porters and eighty thousand stonecutters to work in the mountains.
Study Note
The measurement 'cor' used for Solomon's payment to Hiram is a large ancient unit of volume, indicating the massive scale of the royal provisions.
Continue in the App
Get the full experience — immersive audio, instant explanations, highlights, notes, and reading plans.