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1 Kings 5

ScriptureDepth's study of 1 Kings 5

“Behold, I intend to build a house for the name of Yahweh my God, as Yahweh 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.’

1 Kings 5:5

Solomon speaks to Hiram about building a house for Yahweh, setting in motion the preparations for the temple, as Yahweh had promised to David.

What 1 Kings 5 is about

Hiram, king of Tyre, sent his servants to Solomon after learning he had become king (vv. 1-2). Solomon explained that David could not build a house for Yahweh due to wars but that now he has rest. Solomon aims to build a house for Yahweh, as promised to his father David (vv. 3-5). He requested Hiram to cut cedar trees from Lebanon and offered to pay for the labor (vv. 6-8). Hiram agreed to send timber and aid in transport, and he expressed his joy at Solomon’s wisdom (vv. 9-12). Solomon organized a labor force of thirty thousand men, dividing them into monthly shifts (vv. 13-14). He also had seventy thousand who bore burdens and eighty thousand stone cutters (vv. 15-16). Both Solomon’s and Hiram’s builders worked together to prepare the stones and timber for the temple (vv. 17-18).

Solomon receives the materials and labor needed to build the temple, fulfilling Yahweh's promise to David.

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1 Kings 5 at a glance

  1. 1 Kings 5:1–2Hiram's Support for Solomon
  2. 1 Kings 5:3–5Solomon's Purpose Revealed
  3. 1 Kings 5:6–8Request for Timber
  4. 1 Kings 5:9–12Agreement Between Kings
  5. 1 Kings 5:13–16Labor Force Organized
  6. 1 Kings 5:17–18Preparation for Construction

Key verse: 1 Kings 5:5

One thing to notice

In verses 8-10, Hiram responds to Solomon's request. He states, 'I have heard the message which you have sent to me. I will do all your desire concerning timber.' This shows their cooperative interaction in the building project.

Summary and study helps: AI-drafted (September 2026), checked by automated Scripture gates. Spotted an error? Report it. Fixes are listed on the corrections page.

Chapter text

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Hiram's Support for Solomon 1 Kings 5:1–2

Verse 1. Hiram 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. Verse 2. Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,

Solomon's Purpose Revealed 1 Kings 5:3–5

Verse 3. “You know that David my father could not build a house for the name of Yahweh his God because of the wars which were around him on every side, until Yahweh put his enemies under the soles of his feet. Verse 4. But now Yahweh my God has given me rest on every side. There is no enemy and no evil occurrence. Verse 5. Behold, I intend to build a house for the name of Yahweh my God, as Yahweh 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.’

Request for Timber 1 Kings 5:6–8

Verse 6. Now 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.” Verse 7. When Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly, and said, “Blessed is Yahweh today, who has given to David a wise son to rule over this great people.” Verse 8. Hiram 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.

Agreement Between Kings 1 Kings 5:9–12

Verse 9. My 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.” Verse 10. So Hiram gave Solomon cedar timber and cypress timber according to all his desire. Verse 11. Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand cors of wheat for food to his household, and twenty cors of pure oil. Solomon gave this to Hiram year by year. Verse 12. Yahweh gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him. There was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty together.

Labor Force Organized 1 Kings 5:13–16

Verse 13. King Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men. Verse 14. He 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. Verse 15. Solomon had seventy thousand who bore burdens, and eighty thousand who were stone cutters in the mountains; Verse 16. besides Solomon’s chief officers who were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, who ruled over the people who labored in the work.

Preparation for Construction 1 Kings 5:17–18

Verse 17. The king commanded, and they cut out large stones, costly stones, to lay the foundation of the house with worked stone. Verse 18. Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders and the Gebalites cut them, and prepared the timber and the stones to build the house.

World English Bible (public domain)

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Main themes in 1 Kings 5

Divine Purpose

In this chapter, Solomon articulates his intention to build a house for Yahweh, as seen in v. 5 where he states, 'I intend to build a house for the name of Yahweh my God.' This desire is rooted in God's promise to David that his son would build the temple. The chapter progresses with Solomon receiving support from Hiram, showing the unfolding of God's plan within the context of peace and stability.

Collaboration and Partnership

Collaboration is evident in the mutual agreement between Solomon and Hiram, particularly in verses 6-12. Solomon requests timber from Hiram, saying, 'Now therefore command that cedar trees be cut for me out of Lebanon.' Hiram responds positively, stating he will fulfill Solomon's request and offers to send his servants to assist. This partnership is solidified through the exchange of resources, demonstrating the cooperative relationship between the two kings in their shared project of temple construction.

Foreshadowing Christ

The chapter hints at future significance through the construction of the temple, which is a precursor to the idea of Christ as a spiritual foundation. Solomon’s role as the builder, mentioned in v. 5, parallels the New Testament understanding of Christ as the cornerstone of faith. The collaboration with Hiram and the meticulous preparations foreshadow the establishment of a lasting presence of God among His people.

Wisdom in Leadership

Solomon's wisdom is emphasized in v. 12 where it states, 'Yahweh gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him.' His strategic organization of the labor force, detailed in vv. 13-16, shows effective leadership. By enlisting both Hiram's resources and Israel’s workforce, Solomon exemplifies wise governance that facilitates the successful execution of a significant national project.

Chapter outline

How 1 Kings 5 unfolds

  1. 1 Kings 5:1–2 Hiram's Support for Solomon

    Hiram, king of Tyre, sends his servants to Solomon after hearing 'that they had anointed him king in the place of his father,' showing Hiram's longstanding affection for David (vv. 1-2).

  2. 1 Kings 5:3–5 Solomon's Purpose Revealed

    Solomon communicates his intention to build a temple for Yahweh, explaining that his father, David, could not do so due to warfare, but now he has peace (vv. 3-5).

  3. 1 Kings 5:6–8 Request for Timber

    Solomon requests Hiram to cut cedar trees from Lebanon, offering compensation for the labor, while noting the expertise of the Sidonians in timber work (vv. 6-8).

  4. 1 Kings 5:9–12 Agreement Between Kings

    Hiram agrees to Solomon's request for timber, stating he will provide cedar and cypress, and mentions the need for food for his household (vv. 9-12).

  5. 1 Kings 5:13–16 Labor Force Organized

    Solomon organizes a labor force, raising thirty thousand men from Israel to work in shifts, along with seventy thousand burden bearers and eighty thousand stone cutters (vv. 13-16).

  6. 1 Kings 5:17–18 Preparation for Construction

    Construction preparations begin, involving the cutting of large, costly stones for the temple's foundation, with cooperation between Solomon's and Hiram's builders (vv. 17-18).

Key verses

  • 1 Kings 5:5Solomon speaks to Hiram about building a house for Yahweh, setting in motion the preparations for the temple, as Yahweh had promised to David.

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Study questions

Questions for studying 1 Kings 5

SummarizeObserveInterpretApply

Uses your daily Ask questions.

  1. observeIn v2, what specific request does Solomon make to Hiram?
  2. observeWhat did Solomon offer Hiram in v11 for the timber and support he requested?
  3. interpretHiram's response in vv. 7-8: what does it imply about his views towards Solomon and Israel?
  4. interpretThe act of cutting timber in vv. 6, 10: what challenges might arise from this cooperative venture?
  5. applyWhen have you needed to ask for help from others as Solomon did in v6?

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1 Kings 5: frequently asked questions

What is 1 Kings 5 about?+
Hiram, king of Tyre, sent his servants to Solomon after learning he had become king (vv. 1-2).
What is the key verse in 1 Kings 5?+
1 Kings 5:5: “Behold, I intend to build a house for the name of Yahweh my God, as Yahweh 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.’
What are the main themes of 1 Kings 5?+
The main themes of 1 Kings 5 are Divine Purpose, Collaboration and Partnership, Foreshadowing Christ, Wisdom in Leadership.

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Study Notes