In this section (v1-6) we have the preparations for the building of the temple. Hiram king of Tyre was a close friend of David, Solomon’s father, who had built alliances with the rulers of many of the neighbouring nations, one of which was Hiram. He had heard that Solomon had been anointed king and he sent servants to meet him. Interestingly, we are not told for what purpose they were sent. May have been to bring good wishes or gifts. However, this may have coincided with Solomon deciding to send a message to Hiram. He seemed to remind Hiram that David wanted to build a temple but God had not allowed him to, thus it is probable that David and Hiram had talked about this, and David had told him his heartfelt desire to build a temple to his God, but because of wars which were being fought, he had to wait until the LORD defeated his enemies. David and Hiram had had a very
Solomon said that now there was peace, he proposed to build a house for the name of the LORD his God. He confirmed to Hiram that the LORD had spoken to his father and told him that Solomon his son would build the temple. He asks that Hiram will order his servants to cut down cedars in Lebanon for him, but not only that, but Solomon’s servants would work with them, and he would even pay the wages of Hiram’s servants in whatever sum Hiram should decide. Thus, while it sounded like Solomon was ordering Hiram to do this, he was stating that he would pay their wages in a sum to be decided by Hiram. Solomon also recognised that there was no one so skilled at the job than Hiram’s men.
Solomon was not starting from scratch because 1 Chronicles 22:4 tells us that David had already gathered material together to build.
Lots of pagans built temples to their (false) gods, but this temple was for ‘the name of the LORD his God’. Note that was to be built with the finest timber (cedars of Lebanon) cut by the most skilled workmen. These were Gentiles which helps us to understand that all could worship this great God.
Hiram was very happy to be asked and made an amazing statement, “Blessed be the LORD this day, for He has given David a wise son over this great people! (v7). We don’t know if he was a believer, but David’s influence over him certainly brought out some spiritual discernment.
Hiram sent word to Solomon saying that he would do all that Solomon desired. His servants would bring the logs from Lebanon down to the sea and float them in rafts to where Solomon wanted them. He would have them cut and ready for Solomon to take them, and he would be grateful for the food promised by Solomon (v8,9).
Hiram gave Solomon the cedar and cypress logs, as many as he wanted (v10) and Solomon gave Hiram the provisions
he wanted every year (v11).
So, there was peace between the two kings as Solomon was given wisdom by God, and he sent 30,000 men in shifts to Lebanon, 10,000 every month. So, it was one month away working and two months at home. He appointed Adoniram in charge of the labour force. Meanwhile Solomon had 70,000 carriers and 80,000 stonecutters as well as 3,300 (some ancient texts read 3,600) foremen to supervise (v12-16).
They quarried blocks of high-grade sone for the foundations of the temple and brought them to the site where craftsmen belonging to both kings as well as workers from Byblos (Gebalites) and they cut and the timber and stone for the building of the temple (v17,18).
