1 Kings 5:8

_AND 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 FIR._ I have considered the things ... and I will do. The contract was drawn out formally in a written document (2 Chronicles 2:11), which, according to Josephus, was preserved both in the Jewish and Tyrian records. No hint is given that either of the letters was translated; and hence, it is inferred that, like the Canaanites, the Tyrians, as well as Carthaginians, spoke the Hebrew tongue, or at least a language related to the Hebrew. In consequence of the labour of carrying wood so far to the seacoast, some have supposed that the cedars of old could not have been brought down from that part of the Lebanon where they are now found, and have now concluded that they formerly grew in the vicin

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....

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...

AND HIRAM SENT TO SOLOMON,.... A letter to him, to the following purpose: SAYING, I HAVE CONSIDERED THE THINGS WHICH THOU SENTEST TO ME FOR; whether he could, and whether it was fitting he should grant his request; which was acting like a wise and prudent prince: [AND] I WILL DO ALL THY DESIRE CONCERNING TIMBER OF CEDAR, AND CONCERNING TIMBER OF FIR; or of cypress, as in Josephus's copy of this letter, and which grew on Lebanon c; these were odorous, sound, and durable timber, especially the cedar, and therefore chosen by Solomon for building. c Diodor. Sic. l. 19. p. 700....

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

SENT: i.e. wrote. Compare 2 Chronicles 2:11. See note on Exodus 17:14, and App-47. FIR. Or, cypress....

_and Hiram sent to Solomon_ The Chronicler says he answered in writing. _I have considered_the things _which thou sentest to me_for] More literally (see R.V.): -I HAVE HEARD the message WHICH THOU SENTEST TO ME." We need not with this literal rendering suppose Solomon's to have been a verbal request. There is also no need to insert the conjunction before the next clause (as in A.V.), Render, as in R.V., -I will do." _concerning timber of fir_ Josephus says -cypress" and from the uses to which the wood is put, that seems the more probable rendering. Beside being employed in the Temple building, the tree בְּרוֹשׁ (_b'rósh_) is used in shipbuilding (Ezekiel 27:5), for spear shafts (Nahum 2:4), and for musical instruments ...

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

5:8 cypress. (a-32) Or 'fir;' and so always....