1 Kings 5:8

The Holy Bible, Berean Study Bible

Contextual Overview

¹Now 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 friends with David. ²And Solomon relayed this message to Hiram: ³"As you are aware, because of 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. ⁴But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or crisis. ⁵So 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.' ⁶Now 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." ⁷When 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!" ⁸Then Hiram sent a reply to Solomon, saying: "I have received your message; I will do all you desire regarding the cedar and cypress timber.⁹My servants will haul the logs from Lebanon to the sea, and I will float them in 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."

Bible Verse Review
  from Treasury of Scripure Knowledge

considered: Heb. heard

timber of fir: 1 Kings 6:15, 1 Kings 6:34, 2 Samuel 6:5, 2 Chronicles 3:5

Reciprocal: 2 Samuel 5:11 - Hiram 1 Chronicles 14:1 - Hiram 2 Chronicles 2:16 - we will cut

Gill's Notes on the Bible

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.