1 Kings 5:3

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.

for the wars which were about him The concord in this clause is not strictly grammatical, the noun rendered -wars" being singular while the verb which follows is plural. It has therefore been proposed to render -because of the war wherewith they (i.e. his enemies) surrounded him." It seems better however to consider the singular noun as equivalent to a plural = enemies. And thus the rendering of the A. V. gives the correct sense. Another solution proposed has been to consider the words -men of" as fallen out before -war," thus making the sense -because of the men of war who encompassed him." But such emendation of the text has no support in the versions.

put them under the soles of his feet A phrase not uncommon to denote entire conquest. Cf. Psalms 8:6; 1 Corinthians 15:27; Ephesians 1:22.