UNROLL
Dawn on a rocky beach at the foot of the Lebanon mountains: great trimmed cedar logs lie stacked along the shore beside coils of thick rope, the gray-green sea quiet, dark cedar slopes and snowy ridges rising behind under a pale dawn sky.

The Book of

1 Kings 5

Rest on every side at last. Now Solomon will build the house his father could not.

18 verses≈ 4 min4 peopleBSB

Images are artistic interpretations.

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In this chapter

Where we are

  1. 1–2Solomon's throneThe kingdom made secure
  2. 3–4WisdomA discerning heart
  3. 5–8The templeA house for the LORD's NameChapter 5
  4. 9–11Glory and fallSolomon's heart turns
  5. 12–16Two kingdomsThe kingdom torn
  6. 17–19ElijahThe LORD, He is God
  7. 20–22AhabNaboth and Micaiah

Preparations for the Temple

In the stone-paved court of David's house in Jerusalem, Phoenician envoys in long fringed red-purple robes and tall rounded caps bow before the young King Solomon, servants behind them carrying polished bronze bowls and a bale of dyed cloth.

Now when Hiram king of Tyre heard that Solomon had been anointed king in his father’s place, he sent envoys to Solomon; for Hiram had always been a friend of David.

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And Solomon relayed this message to Hiram:

“As you are well aware, due to the wars waged on all sides against my father David, he could not build a house for the Name of the LORD his God until the LORD had put his enemies under his feet. But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or crisis.

So behold, I plan to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God, according to what the LORD said to my father David: ‘I will put your son on your throne in your place, and he will build the house for My Name.’

1 Kings 5:5

Solomon
Solomon

Now therefore, order that cedars of Lebanon be cut down for me. My servants will be with your servants, and I will pay your servants whatever wages you set, for you know that there are none among us as skilled in logging as the Sidonians.”

Reflect

Rest on every side

David’s wars made the temple wait. When God gave Solomon “rest on every side,” Solomon used the peace to build a house for the Name of the LORD. What has God given you rest, time or means for in this season? Write down one way you could use it for Him.

Hiram’s Reply to Solomon

To LebanonMediterranean SeaTyreJoppaJerusalem

Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

Cedars from Lebanon

Hiram’s men cut cedar and cypress high in the mountains of Lebanon, inland from Sidon and Gebal (Byblos), beyond the north edge of this map, and hauled the logs down to the sea. From there they floated them as rafts down the coast. Chronicles names the landing place: Joppa, about thirty-five miles from Jerusalem, where Solomon’s men took the timber up into the hills.

When Hiram received Solomon’s message, he rejoiced greatly and said, “Blessed be the LORD this day! He has given David a wise son over this great people!”

Hiram
Hiram

Then Hiram sent a reply to Solomon, saying: “I have received your message; I will do all you desire regarding the cedar and cypress timber.

A calm morning sea off a rocky coast: a long raft of cedar logs lashed together with rope is towed by a Phoenician ship with one mast, one square sail, oars and a curved prow, men poling the raft, the green coast and mountains behind.

My servants will haul the logs from Lebanon to the Sea, and I will float them as rafts by sea to the place you specify. There I will separate the logs, and you can take them away. And in exchange, you can meet my needs by providing my household with food.”

So Hiram provided Solomon with all the cedar and cypress timber he wanted, and year after year Solomon would provide Hiram with 20,000 cors of wheat as food for his household, as well as 20,000 baths of pure olive oil.

And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as He had promised him. There was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.

Question

Quick question

Hiram sent the timber, and Solomon paid for it year after year.

What did Solomon give Hiram year after year in exchange for the timber?

Solomon’s Labor Force

Dawn on a road running north through the hills: a long column of Israelite workmen with axes over their shoulders and bedrolls on their backs walks away toward the far blue mountains of Lebanon, white with snow on top, an overseer with a staff at the roadside.

Then King Solomon conscripted a labor force of 30,000 men from all Israel. He sent them to Lebanon in monthly shifts of 10,000 men, so that they would spend one month in Lebanon and two months at home.

0:16

Narrated by Bob Souer · BSB audio, public domain

And Adoniram was in charge of the forced labor.

Pray

As He had promised

Thank God that He keeps every promise: He told David his son would build the house, and “the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as He had promised him.” Ask Him for willing hands and a wise heart in the work He gives you, and for grace to build well alongside others for the honor of His Name.

You’ve experienced

1 Kings 5

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A verse to carry with you

So behold, I plan to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God, according to what the LORD said to my father David: ‘I will put your son on your throne in your place, and he will build the house for My Name.’

1 Kings 5:5

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