1 Kings 5:3

_AND SOLOMON SENT TO HIRAM, SAYING,_ No JFB commentary on these verses....

1-9 Here is Solomon's design to build a temple. There is no adversary, no Satan, so the word is; no instrument of Satan to oppose it, or to divert from it. Satan does all he can, to hinder temple work. When there is no evil abroad, then let us be ready and active in that which is good, and get forward. Let God's promises quicken our endeavours. And all outward skill and advantages should be made serviceable to the interests of Christ's kingdom. It Tyre supplies Israel with craftsmen, Israel will supply Tyre with corn, Ezekiel 27:17. Thus, by the wise disposal of Providence, one country has need of another, and is benefitted by another, that there may be dependence on one another, to the glory of God....

Solomon’s presumption that Hiram knew David’s design has not appeared in the previous history, but it is in accordance with 1 Chronicles 22:4....

EXPOSITION SOLOMON AND HIRAM—The somewhat detailed description which we have had in 1 Kings 4:1. of Solomon's pomp and power and wisdom, is followed in 1 Kings 5:1. sqq. by an account of what, in Jewish eyes, was the great undertaking of his reign, and, indeed, the great glory of Hebrew history—the erection and adornment of the Temple. And as this was largely due to the assistance he received both in the shape of materials and labourers—from the Tyrian king, we have in the first place an account of his alliance with Hiram. 1 KINGS 5:1 AND HIRAM (In...

THOU KNOWEST HOW THAT DAVID MY FATHER COULD NOT BUILD AN HOUSE UNTO THE NAME OF THE LORD HIS GOD,.... As he designed, and was desirous of; and which Hiram might know not only by common fame, but from David himself, between whom there was an intercourse, and that in relation to cedars for building, which David had of Hiram, 2 Chronicles 2:3; FOR THE WARS WHICH WERE ABOUT HIM ON EVERY SIDE; or warriors, as the Targum, the Philistines, Moabites, Edomites, and Syrians: UNTIL THE LORD PUT THEM UNDER THE SOLES OF HIS FEET; made them subject and tributary to him, as he did at length, see 2 Samuel 7:1, c. so the "Cetib", or textual reading, is but the "Keri", or marginal reading, is, "under the soles of my feet"; that is, Solomon's, which agrees with what follows; it was

4. THE BUILDING OF THE TEMPLE AND ITS DEDICATION CHAPTER 5 Hiram King of Tyre _ 1. Hiram sends servants to Solomon (1 Kings 5:1)_ 2. The message of Solomon (1 Kings 5:2) 3. Hiram's answer and league with Solomon (1 Kings 5:7) 4. Solomon's workmen (1 Kings 5:13) In connection with 1 Kings 5-8 the Chapter s in 2 Chronicles should be read which give a more extensive account (2 Chronicles 2-5:11). Solomon now begins the great work, which may be called his life work, the building of the house of the LORD. Hiram heard of Solomon's enthronement, and sent messengers to Solomon. This Gentile king was a lover

SOLOMON'S ALLIANCE WITH HIRAM. PREPARATION FOR THE TEMPLE. This chapter has a few Deuteronomic additions (1 Kings 5:3 and 1 Kings 5:12). In 1 Kings 5:4 there is a truly Deuteronomic touch: the one sanctuary could not come into existence till God had given the people rest (2 Samuel 7:11; Deuteronomy 12:9; Deuteronomy 25:19). The alliance was of mutual importance to the Israelites and the Tyrians. The corn-growing districts of N. Palestine were the granary

THOU KNOWEST. Compare 2 Samuel 5:11. 1Ch 14:1. 1 Chronicles 22:4. COULD NOT. There were three reasons altogether: (1) not the _time_ (2 Samuel 7); (2) not the _opportunity_ (Luke 5:3); (3) not the _man_ (1Ch 22:8. 1 Chronicles 28:3, &c). THE LORD. Hebrew. _Jehovah._ App-4. GOD. Hebrew. _Elohim._ App-4....

_Thou knowest_ David's preparations must have been well known throughout the Phœnician kingdom, and so to Hiram even though he was not himself king. Cf. 1 Chronicles 22:4 where we are told that the Zidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David. The reason why David himself did not begin to build the temple may also have been known to the northern king. _could not build a house_ He was forbidden to do this by the word of the Lord (cf. 1 Chronicles 22:8; 1 Chronicles 28:3) because he had shed blood abundantly and made great wars. _unto the name of the Lord_ See above on 1 Kings 3:2.

I. PREPARATIONS FOR BUILDING THE TEMPLE 5:1-18 Preparations for Temple construction commenced long before Solomon ascended the throne. The Temple siteMt. Moriahhad been indicated by God to David in connection with the cessation of the plague against Jerusalem (2 Samuel 24:18-25). But much had to be done in both leveling and raising that ground in order to secure a flat construction area. This work _may_ have begun while David was yet king. The Scriptures explicitly state that David energetically engaged in gathering various materials for the Templegold, silver, bronze, iron, wood and precious stones (1 Chronicles 29:2-5). Once Solomon had successfully established himself on the throne of his father, he wholeheartedly devoted himself to those final preparations which were nece