1 Kings 5

Hiram maketh friendship with Salomon, ver.1, &c. Who requesteth of him materials for the building of the Temple, 2 etc. Hiram praising God for such a Successor of David sendeth them to him, together with order touching the conditions, 7. The number of labourers, and workmen employed about the Temple, 13.

1. And Hiram [He is also called Hirom, below v.10 &18. also Haram, 2. Chron.2.3. and is to be distinguished from another Hiram, who was a skilful artificer, a widows son; of whom see below chap.17.13, 14. & 2 Chron.2.14.] King of Tyrus, [the Metropolis or chief city of Phaenicia, lying in the midland sea, seven hundred paces from the Continent or firm land, before Alexander the Great his time, very rich, mighty and renowned for their Navigation and Merchandise. See Isa.23. Item, chap.26, & 27, & 28.] sent his servants unto Salomon [to declare his joy, that Salomon was made King in his Fathers room, to obtain his friendship, and to enter into a Covenant with him; as it came to pass also: see ver.12.] (for he had heard that they had anointed Salomon King in the room of his Father,) because Hiram had ever [Heb. all the days] loved David. [or, been Davids friend, see 2 Sam.5.11. 1 Chron.chap.14. verse 1.]

2. After that, Salomon sent to Hiram, saying:

3. Thou knowest that David my father could not build an house [Compare Gen.28.on v.27. and 22.] unto the name of the LORD his God, [i.e. unto the LORD himself, who revealed himself in his word and works: so below, and Psa.20.2. and 52.11. &c. See Deut.28.on v.58.] because of the war, wherewith they [viz.the enemies that made war against him] compassed him about; until the LORD gave them under the soles of his feet. [i.e. subdued and brought them under his dominion. See the like phrase, Psa.8.7. 1 Cor.15.27. Eph.1.22.]

4. But now the LORD my God hath given me rest round about: there is no adversary, nor entreating of evil. [Or, evil occurrent: viz. which might hinder me from building the LORD an house.]

5. And behold, I purpose [Heb. I say, viz. In mine heart, as such saying is expounded, gen.17.17. Psal.14.1. & 36.2. Rom.10.6. saying in his heart, is as much as thinking, pondering, conceiving, purposing, concluding; see Gen.20.on v.11. And the meaning here is, that Salomon not onely thought, but also purposed, and firmly determined to build an house unto the LORD] to build an house for the Name of the LORD my God: according as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying; Thy son whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build that house unto my Name. [see 2 Sam.7.13. 2 Chron.22 10.]

6. Now then command that they hew me Cedars [See above chap.4.on v.33.] out of Lebanon, and my servants shall be with thy servants, and I will give the hire of thy servants unto thee, according to all that thou shalt say: for thou knowest, that (there) is none among us, that knoweth to hew wood, like unto the Sidonians. [i.e. the Natives and Citizens of the city of Zidon: of which see Gen.10.on v.15.]

7. And it came to pass, when Hiram had heard the words of Salomon, that he rejoiced greatly: and said, Blessed [see gen.14.on v.20.] be the Lord this day, who hath given unto David a wise son, over this great people.

8. And Hiram sent unto Salomon, saying; I have heard whereof thou hast sent unto me: I will do all thy will concerning Cedar-wood, and concerning Fir-wood. [Or, a sort of Cedars, of which they made Arrows, Lances, Chests, Musical Instruments, &c. Others Poplar-wood: see of this 2 Sam.6.5. below chap.6.15, 34. 2 King.19.23. 2 Chron.3.5.]

9. My servants shall bring them down from Libanon [See above chap.4.on v.33.] unto the sea, [viz. of Japho, or Joppe, 2 Chron.2.16.] and I will cause them to be carried over the sea in floats [Heb. cause them to be laid, etc.i.e. I will lay them on floats, and cause them to be transported by sea. It is an Hebrew phrase, which often occurreth, see Gen.12.on ver.15.] unto the place that thou shalt signifie unto me, [Heb. that thou shalt send me: by sending, acquaint me, or let me know] and will loosen [or, undo, untie. The Hebrew word signifieth properly to scatter, divide, loosen one thing from another: as this also is done with the floats] them there, and thou shalt take them away; thou shalt also do my will, that thou give food [Heb. bread: under which other food is likewise comprehended, as the 11. verse sheweth: see Gen.3 on verse 19.] for my house. [Although Tyre and Zidon were rich cities, in respect of navigation, yet they had but a dry and barren country that they yielded not much fruit, for which cause they were to be furnished with provision of food out of other countries, and especially out of the Land of Israel, Act.12.20.]

10. So Hiram gave Salomon Cedar-wood, and Fir-wood (according to) all his will.

11. And Salomon gave Hiram twenty thousand Cor[See of this measure above chap.4.on ver.22.] of Wheat, for food of his house, and twenty Cor of beaten oil: [It appeareth by this place, as also by Ezekiel 45:14. that this measure was likewise used in liquid wares, although it was properly of dry wares, 2 Chron.2.10. mention is made of twenty thousand baths of oil: Item, hereunto are yet added twenty thousand Cor of Barley; and twenty thousand haths of wine. But it’s conceived, that both here, and 2 Chron.2.10. is spoken of divers delivering in: here, of that which belonged to the yearly maintenance of Hirams household; and there, of that which the work-folks and labourers had need of] such gave Salomon to Hiram year by year.

12. The LORD then gave Salomon wisdom, according as he had spoken unto him: [See 1 King.3.12.] and there was peace between Hiram, and between Salomon, and they both made a Covenant.

13. And King Salomon raised a Leavie out of all Israel, and the Leavie was thirty thousand men. [By Leavy here is meant a Tax, not of goods, or monies, but of persons and men, that were chosen and taken up, to hew wood, &c. upon mount Libanon, for the building of the Temple. Compare below chap.9.21. and the annotations.]

14. And he sent then to Libanon ten thousand a month by turns, [Heb. with changes] a month they were in Libanon, two months every man in his (own) house; and Adoniram was over this Leavie. [i.e. He had a charge to raise this Leavie, or to be an Overseer thereof, after it was raised, or he was put in trust for both. See likewise of this Adoniram above chap.4 6.]

15. Besides, Salomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens: [These were strangers, as appeareth 2 Chron.2.17.18.] and fourscore thousand hewers [The Hebrew word signifieth as well hewers of stone, 1 Chron.22.2. as hewers of wood, Ezek.3.7.] on the mountains.

16. Besides the Commanders of Salomons appointed men [i.e. Officers, Commissioners, Overseers. Compare above chap.4.5. and the annotat.] which were over that work, three thousand and three hundred [2 Chron.2.2. is mentioned six hundred, which is thus understood, that the three hundred here omitted, were the overseers of these Commanders. Some conceive that there were three thousand and three hundred over those that carried burdens, and hewed stone, and three hundred over those that were employed in mount Libanon] which ruled over the people that did that work.

17. Now when the King commanded, then they brought great stones, costly stones, [understand, not precious stones, which are likewise so called below chap.10. ver.2, 10.] but such as were eminent for size and greatness] bewed stones, to lay the foundation of that house.

18. And Salomon builders, and Hirams builders, and the Giblites [The opinion of some is, that these were the Inhabitants of the city of Gebal, which lay by Zidon in Phenicia: of which see Psal.83.8. & Ezek.27.9. It’s conceived likewise that Gilblin was the name of name famous Artificers in stone-works] did hew them, and prepared the wood, and the stones, to build that house.