1 Kings Chapter 5
Preparations to Build the Temple
A. Solomon’s arrangements with Hiram of Tyre.
1. (1 Kings 5:1-6) Solomon’s message to Hiram of Tyre.
Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon because he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram had always loved David. Then Solomon sent to Hiram, saying, You know how my father David could not build a house for the name of the Lord his God because of the wars which were fought against him on every side, until the Lord put his foes under the soles of his feet. But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side, there is neither adversary nor evil occurrence. And behold, I propose to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord spoke to my father David, saying, “Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, he shall build the house for My name.” Now therefore, command that they cut down cedars for me from Lebanon, and my servants will be with your servants, and I will pay you wages for your servants according to whatever you say. For you know there is none among us who has skill to cut timber like the Sidonians.
Solomon’s alliance with Hiram began with the goodwill David had already established. Scripture notes that Hiram “had always loved David,” showing that David was not hostile toward every surrounding nation. He was a warrior against Israel’s enemies, but he also exercised wisdom in forming strategic friendships that strengthened the kingdom. Solomon inherited the benefits of his father’s diplomacy, proving again that righteous leadership leaves blessings for the next generation. Archaeological discoveries have confirmed a king named Ahiram of Tyre, which may refer to this same monarch, suggesting that this alliance rests on solid historical footing. Josephus even records that the correspondence between Solomon and Hiram was preserved in ancient archives.
Solomon reminded Hiram that David could not build the temple because his life was marked by warfare. Those conflicts were necessary and ordained by God, but they prevented David from dedicating his full attention to constructing a permanent house for the Lord. This tells us that David openly shared spiritual concerns with Hiram, treating him as someone capable of understanding Israel’s devotion to the Lord. Despite Hiram being a Gentile, David had spoken to him as one who respected Israel’s God. David also prepared in advance for the temple, gathering supplies long before construction began, showing how deeply he longed for this holy project.
Solomon emphasized that God had now subdued his enemies and given him peace. The expression “put his foes under the soles of his feet” reflects the ancient symbol of total victory, matching biblical imagery such as Psalm 110:1. Solomon enjoyed a period with “neither adversary nor evil occurrence,” meaning no active opposition and no internal crises. The term adversary literally translates as “Satan,” which the Latin Vulgate keeps as “nor a Satan,” highlighting the completeness of Israel’s peace.
Solomon then declared his intention to build “a house for the name of the Lord my God.” This phrasing shows reverence, avoiding casual mention of God’s name, and also clarifies that the temple was not a literal dwelling place for God as pagan temples claimed. Solomon knew that the heavens cannot contain God, much less a building in Jerusalem, so the temple would serve as the place for God’s name, His presence, and His worship, not as a physical house limiting Him.
Solomon requested the famous cedar trees of Lebanon, known throughout the ancient world for their durability and beauty. This demonstrates that Solomon intended to use the best materials to honor God. The Sidonians were renowned experts in timber, possessing generations of skill in choosing, cutting, and treating wood. Solomon was not only securing elite craftsmanship, he was also welcoming Gentile labor and materials into the construction of the temple. The tabernacle in Moses’ day was built exclusively by Israelites, but the temple showed that the worship of the Lord would extend beyond national boundaries. As later Christians observed, this prefigured the inclusion of Gentiles in the people of God.
2. (1 Kings 5:7-12) Hiram’s reply to Solomon.
So it was, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly and said, Blessed be the Lord this day, for He has given David a wise son over this great people. Then Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the message which you sent me, and I will do all you desire concerning the cedar and cypress logs. My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon to the sea, I will float them in rafts by sea to the place you indicate to me, and will have them broken apart there, then you can take them away. And you shall fulfill my desire by giving food for my household. Then Hiram gave Solomon cedar and cypress logs according to all his desire. And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand kors of wheat as food for his household, and twenty kors of pressed oil. Thus Solomon gave to Hiram year by year. So the Lord gave Solomon wisdom, as He had promised him, and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty together.
Hiram’s reaction to Solomon’s message reveals the depth of goodwill that already existed between the two kingdoms. When Hiram heard Solomon’s words, “he rejoiced greatly,” reflecting genuine respect and appreciation for what God was doing in Israel. His exclamation, “Blessed be the Lord this day,” shows that he openly acknowledged Israel’s God. It does not necessarily indicate saving faith, but it absolutely demonstrates reverence. This respect clearly came from David’s influence, because David had been a man after God’s own heart who consistently testified to the greatness of the Lord in every relationship, even with Gentile kings. Hiram saw the hand of God in providing Solomon as a wise successor, and he honored the Lord because of it.
Hiram assured Solomon that he had carefully considered the request and would fulfill everything Solomon desired concerning the cedar and cypress logs. He laid out a detailed and efficient plan for transporting the timber, showing both skill and professionalism. His workers would cut the trees in Lebanon, move them down to the sea, bind them as massive floating rafts, and guide them along the coastline to the exact location Solomon specified. This method shows the high level of seafaring and engineering skill possessed by the Phoenicians. Once the rafts reached the designated point, the logs would be broken apart and delivered for Israel’s use. The entire system demonstrates the kind of logistical mastery that made Tyre a powerful maritime kingdom.
Solomon had offered Hiram any payment he desired, and Hiram responded modestly. Instead of exploiting the situation or demanding heavy compensation, he simply asked for food for his household, meaning provisions for his court and workers. This shows restraint and integrity. However, Hiram still expected appropriate compensation, which was right and fair. As Maclaren bluntly observes, many people claim to love religious work or spiritual causes, yet keep “as sharp an eye for their own advantage” as Hiram did. Hiram was not pretending his service was free worship. It was labor, and laborers deserve wages, but he was not greedy. Solomon honored the request by providing twenty thousand kors of wheat and twenty kors of pressed oil annually, a massive supply representing Israel’s agricultural strength.
The passage concludes by emphasizing that Solomon’s actions flowed from God-given wisdom. Just as the Lord promised him, wisdom guided Solomon’s diplomacy, his economic dealings, and his international relationships. The peace between Hiram and Solomon reflects the blessing of God on Israel during this season of stability and prosperity. Their treaty formalized a long-standing friendship, ensuring cooperation and mutual benefit. This peaceful alliance also stands as a reminder that God can use Gentile nations to support His work, whether in providing resources, labor, or political stability. Solomon managed these relationships with discernment, preserving the goodwill begun by David and ensuring that Israel would have what was needed to build the temple.
B. Solomon’s labor force.
1. (1 Kings 5:13-14) The labor force of freemen.
Then King Solomon raised up a labor force out of all Israel, and the labor force was thirty thousand men. And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month in shifts, they were one month in Lebanon and two months at home, Adoniram was in charge of the labor force.
Solomon organized a large labor force from among the free men of Israel, amounting to thirty thousand workers. Such manpower demonstrates how the construction of the temple required national strength and stability. Israel could afford this labor only because it enjoyed the peace and prosperity that David secured through warfare and that Solomon maintained through diplomacy and wise administration. Solomon’s ability to employ such a vast workforce reflects the flourishing condition of the kingdom during his reign.
Adoniram served as the appointed overseer of this labor force, showing Solomon’s skill in delegation. Instead of attempting to micromanage thousands of men, Solomon entrusted responsibility to proven leaders who could manage the work with efficiency. He also demonstrated compassion and wisdom by arranging the laborers in rotating shifts. Workers spent one month in Lebanon and two months at home, preventing long-term separation from family. This system balanced national service with the well-being of the people, reflecting Solomon’s sensitivity to the burdens placed on his subjects.
2. (1 Kings 5:15-18) The labor force of slaves.
Solomon had seventy thousand who carried burdens, and eighty thousand who quarried stone in the mountains, besides three thousand three hundred from the chiefs of Solomon’s deputies, who supervised the people who labored in the work. And the king commanded them to quarry large stones, costly stones, and hewn stones, to lay the foundation of the temple. So Solomon’s builders, Hiram’s builders, and the Gebalites quarried them, and they prepared timber and stones to build the temple.
In addition to the free men of Israel, Solomon employed a massive labor force of foreign slaves, likely drawn from the remaining Canaanite peoples in the land. Seventy thousand served as burden-bearers, transporting materials, while eighty thousand quarried stone in the mountains. These laborers performed the harshest and most physically demanding work, consistent with ancient Near Eastern practice where subjected peoples were assigned heavy labor under the authority of the ruling kingdom. Their work demonstrates the scale and difficulty of the temple project, which required enormous quantities of stone shaped to exact dimensions.
Jewish tradition later embellished the building of the temple with legends, such as the claim recorded by Ginzberg that no workman became sick or died during the seven years of construction, and that even the tools remained in perfect condition. These legends aim to highlight the sacred character of the project, though Scripture itself simply records the vast and strenuous effort required.
Solomon also appointed three thousand three hundred supervisors from among his deputies. These served as middle management overseeing the day-to-day labor. Their presence ensured order, accountability, and organization as the work progressed. This structure mirrors Solomon’s broader administrative style, which depended on capable officials at every level.
The king commanded the quarrying of “large stones, costly stones, and hewn stones” to serve as the foundation of the temple. These were high-quality materials, carefully shaped and expertly crafted, even though they would remain unseen beneath the structure. Solomon insisted on excellence from the ground up. This sets a pattern for spiritual work. Service to God must be carried out with diligence and integrity, even in the unseen areas. Spurgeon noted that believers must be as faithful in hidden labor as in public service. God Himself works deeply and silently within His people, preparing foundations of character through trials, chastening, and heart-searching that others never witness. Strong foundations are essential not only for individual holiness but also for the strength of the entire church. A congregation built on emotionalism or shallow doctrine will be wide but weak. True vitality requires depth, conviction, and genuine spiritual life.
The Gebalites, likely the inhabitants of the coastal city of Byblos at the base of Mount Lebanon, assisted in the quarrying. Their presence shows the international nature of the project. Solomon’s builders, Hiram’s workers from Tyre, and the Gebalites cooperated side by side, all contributing their specific expertise. Thus, the construction of the temple stands as an early example of God using both Israel and Gentile nations to further His purposes.
