1Hiram sendeth to congratulate Solomon, who acquainteth him with his design of building the temple, and desireth him to furnish timber for that purpose. 7Hiram blesseth God for Solomon's wisdom, and promiseth the timber, requesting food for his household in return. 10The mutual services and good correspondence between Hiram and Solomon. 13The number of workmen and labourers employed in preparing materials for the building.
1AND 1Hiram king of 2Tyre 3sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: fora Hiram was 4ever a 5lover of David.
1 He is also called Huram, 2 Chron. 2:3 and is to be distinguished from another Hiram, who was a skilful artificer, a widow’s son; of whom see 1 Kings 7:13, 14; 2 Chron. 2:13.
2 The capital of Phoenicia, situated in the Mediterranean Sea, seven hundred paces from the continent or firm land, before the time of Alexander the Great very rich, mighty and renowned for their navigation and merchandise. See Isaiah 23. Likewise Ezekiel 26; 27; 28.
3 To declare his joy, that Solomon was made king in his father’s place, to obtain his friendship and to enter into a covenant with him; as it came to pass also. See verse 12.
a 2 Sam. 5:11; 1 Chron. 14:1.
4 Hebr. all the days.
5 Or, been David’s friend.
2And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,
3Thoub knowest how that David my father could not build an 6house unto the 7name of the LORD his God for the wars which were 8about him on every side, until the LORD put them 9under the soles of his feet.
b 1 Chron. 28:3.
6 Compare Gen. 28 on verse 17; Gen. 28 on verse 22.
7 That is, the LORD Himself, Who revealed Himself in His Word and works. Also below, and Psalm 20:1; 52:9, etc. See Deut. 28 on verse 58.
8 Namely, the enemies who made war against him.
9 That is, subdued and brought them under his dominion. See the like phrase, Psalm 8:6; 1 Cor. 15:27; Eph. 1:22.
4But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor 10evil occurrent.c
10 Or, treatment of evil, namely, which would hinder me from building the Lord an house.
c happening, taking place
5And, behold, 11I purposed to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thye son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.
11 Hebr. I say, namely, in mine heart, as such saying is expounded, Gen. 17:17; Psalm 14:1; 36:1; Rom. 10:6. Saying in his heart is as much as thinking, pondering, perceiving, purposing, concluding. See Gen. 20 on verse 11. And the meaning here is: that Salomon not only thought, but also purposed and firmly determined to build an house unto the Lord.
d 2 Chron. 2:1.
e 2 Sam. 7:13; 1 Chron. 22:10.
6Now therefore command thou that they hew me 12cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skillf to hew timber like unto the 13Sidonians.
12 See 1 Kings 4 on verse 33.
f (verb) – to know how, to be skilled*
13 Natives and citizens of the city of Sidon: of whom see Gen. 10 on verse 15.
7¶And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, 14Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people.
14 See Gen. 14 on verse 20.
8And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of 15fir.
15 Or, a sort of cedar, of which they made arrows, lances, chests, musical instruments, etc. Other, poplar wood. See of this 2 Sam. 6:5; 1 Kings 6:15, 34; 2 Kings 19:23; 2 Chron. 3:5.
9My servants shall bring them down from 16Lebanon 17unto the sea: and I will 18convey them by sea in floatsg unto the place 19that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be 20discharged there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in giving 21food for my household.
16 See 1 Kings 4 on verse 33.
17 Namely, of Japho, or Joppa, 2 Chron. 2:16.
18 Hebr. cause them to be laid, that is, I will lay them on rafts, and cause them to be transported by the sea. It is an Hebrew phrase, which often occurs, see Gen. 12 on verse 15.
g rafts
19 Hebr. that thou shalt send me, that is, by sending, acquaint me, or let me know.
20 Or, undo, untie. The Hebrew word signifies properly to scatter, divide, loosen one thing from another; as this also is done with the rafts.
21 Hebr. bread; under which other food is likewise comprehended, as verse 11 shows. See Gen. 3 on verse 19. Although Tyre and Zidon were rich cities in respect of navigation, yet they had but a dry and barren country that 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, Acts 12:20.
10So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire.
11And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand 22measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty 23measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year.
22 See of this measure 1 Kings 4 on verse 22.
23 It appears by this place, as also by Ezek. 45:14, that this measure was likewise used in liquid wares, although it was properly of dry wares. In 2 Chron. 2:10 mention is made of 20,000 baths of oil; likewise hereunto are yet added 20.000 kor of barley; and 20,000 baths of wine. But it is perceived, that both here and 2 Chron. 2:10 is spoken of several shipments; here, of what belonged to the yearly maintenance of Hiram’s household; and there, of what the laborers had need of.
12And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promisedh him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.
h 1 Kings 3:12.
13¶And king Solomon raised a 24levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.
24 Here is meant a tax, not of goods or monies, but of persons and men, who were chosen and taken up to hew wood, etc. upon mount Lebanon for the building of the temple. Compare 1 Kings 9:21 and the annotation.
14And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month 25by courses: a month they were in Lebanon, and two months at home: and Adoniram 26was over the levy.
25 Hebr. with changes.
26 That is, he had a charge to raise this levy, or to be an overseer thereof after it was raised; or he was put in trust for both. See likewise of this Adoniram 1 Kings 4:6.
15And Solomon had 27threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand 28hewers in the mountains;
27 These were strangers, as appears 2 Chron. 2:17, 18.
28 The Hebrew word signifies as well hewers of stone, 1 Chron. 22:2, as hewers of wood, Ezra 3:7.
16Beside the chief of Solomon’s 29officers which were over the work, three thousand and 30three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in the work.
29 That is, taskmasters, officers, clerks. Compare 1 Kings 4:5 and the annotation.
30 In 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 perceive 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 the mountains of Lebanon.
17And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, 31costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.
31 Understand, not precious stones, which are likewise so mentioned in 1 Kings 10:2, 10, but such as were eminent for size and form.
18And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the 32stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.
32 Or, the Giblites. The opinion of some is: that these were the inhabitants of the city of Gebal, which was situated by Zidon in Phoenicia: of which see Psalm 83:7; Ezek. 27:9. It is perceived likewise that Giblim was the name of famous artificers in works of stone.