1 Kings 5:1-18
Timber for the Temple
1Now when Hiram king of Tyre heard that Solomon had been anointed king in his father’s place, he sent envoys to Solomon; for Hiram had always been a friend of David.
2And Solomon relayed this message to Hiram:
3“As you are well aware, due to the wars waged on all sides against my father David, he could not build a house for the Name of the LORD his God until the LORD had put his enemies under his feet.
4But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or crisis.
5So behold, I plan to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God, according to what the LORD said to my father David: ‘I will put your son on your throne in your place, and he will build the house for My Name.’
6Now therefore, order that cedars of Lebanon be cut down for me. My servants will be with your servants, and I will pay your servants whatever wages you set, for you know that there are none among us as skilled in logging as the Sidonians.”
7When Hiram received Solomon’s message, he rejoiced greatly and said, “Blessed be the LORD this day! He has given David a wise son over this great people!”
8Then Hiram sent a reply to Solomon, saying: “I have received your message; I will do all you desire regarding the cedar and cypress timber.
9My servants will haul the logs from Lebanon to the Sea, and I will float them as rafts by sea to the place you specify. There I will separate the logs, and you can take them away. And in exchange, you can meet my needs by providing my household with food.”
10So Hiram provided Solomon with all the cedar and cypress timber he wanted,
11and year after year Solomon would provide Hiram with 20,000 cors of wheat as food for his household, as well as 20,000 baths of pure olive oil.
12And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as He had promised him. There was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.
13Then King Solomon conscripted a labor force of 30,000 men from all Israel.
14He sent them to Lebanon in monthly shifts of 10,000 men, so that they would spend one month in Lebanon and two months at home. And Adoniram was in charge of the forced labor.
15Solomon had 70,000 porters and 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains,
16not including his 3,300 foremen who supervised the workers.
17And the king commanded them to quarry large, costly stones to lay the foundation of the temple with dressed stones.
18So Solomon’s and Hiram’s builders, along with the Gebalites, quarried the stone and prepared the timber and stone for the construction of the temple.
Berean Standard Bible
Hiram king of Tyre sends servants to Solomon after hearing that Solomon has been anointed king in place of David. Hiram had loved David, and the relationship between the two kingdoms gives Solomon an opportunity to prepare for the work David had wanted to begin.
Solomon explains that David could not build a house for the name of the LORD because of the wars around him. Now the LORD has given Solomon rest on every side, and Solomon intends to build the temple. The project is described as the fruit of peace, not as a way to manufacture peace through impressive construction.
Solomon asks Hiram to command that cedars be cut in Lebanon. Hiram agrees, and Solomon provides food for Hiram's household in return. The work depends on cooperation across a border and on skilled workers whose labor is named and organized.
The chapter records the labor force Solomon conscripts and the men who carry stones, cut timber, and oversee the work. The temple is a holy project, but the text does not let holiness make labor invisible. The grandeur of a building should never keep us from asking how its workers are treated.
How We Know
The passage belongs to a sustained historical and covenant record. The events in 1 Kings 5:1-18 are part of the royal history that 2 Chronicles also summarizes. The temple, succession, and court details are presented within Israel's continuing covenant story, giving the reader internal points of comparison rather than an isolated legend.
Questions
1 What relationship does Solomon inherit with Hiram?
AnswerHiram had loved David and sends servants to Solomon, creating a peaceful partnership between the two kings.
2 Why had David not built the temple?
AnswerDavid had been surrounded by wars, while the LORD has now given Solomon rest on every side.
3 What does Solomon request from Hiram?
AnswerHe asks Hiram to provide cedar timber from Lebanon and promises food for Hiram's household in return.
4 What kinds of workers are named?
AnswerThe chapter names men who carry stones, cut timber, oversee the work, and serve in the conscripted labor force.
What This Means for Us
Important work is usually communal. Solomon's temple requires diplomacy, materials, planners, laborers, and people willing to honor an agreement across national lines.
Holy goals do not excuse unjust treatment of workers. When your household begins a meaningful project, plan for the people doing the work, name their contribution, and refuse to hide exploitation behind a worthy purpose.
Prayer
God of every good work, teach us to build with cooperation and justice. Help us honor workers, keep agreements, and never use a worthy goal as an excuse to ignore the people carrying it. Amen.