1 Kings 5:1-6

1 Kings 5:1-6

[1] And Hiram  king  of Tyre  sent  his servants  unto Solomon;  for he had heard  that they had anointed  him king  in the room of his father:  for Hiram  was ever  a lover  of David.  [2] And Solomon  sent  to Hiram,  saying,  [3] Thou knowest  how that David  my father  could  not build  an house  unto the name  of the LORD  his God  for  the wars  which were about him on every side,  until the LORD  put  them under the soles  of his feet.  [4] But now the LORD  my God  hath given me rest  on every side,  so that there is neither adversary  nor evil  occurrent.  [5] And, behold, I purpose  to build  an house  unto the name  of the LORD  my God,  as the LORD  spake  unto David  my father,  saying,  Thy son,  whom I will set  upon thy throne  in thy room, he shall build  an house  unto my name.  [6] Now therefore command  thou that they hew  me cedar trees  out of Lebanon;  and my servants  and unto thee will I give  hire  for thy servants  according to all that thou shalt appoint:  for thou knowest  that there is not among us any  that can skill  to hew  timber  like unto the Sidonians. 

What does 1 Kings 5:1-6 Mean?

Contextual Meaning

Hiram probably reigned from about980-947 B.C. [1] Many scholars agree that his reign overlapped David"s by about nine years and Solomon"s by about24 (cf. 2 Samuel 5:11). Tyre was an important Mediterranean Sea port in Phoenicia north of Israel. Sidon ( 1 Kings 5:6), another, more important Phoenician port city at this time, stood a few miles north of Tyre.
"A house for the name of the Lord" ( 1 Kings 5:3) means a house for Yahweh that would communicate His reputation to the world. Cedar ( 1 Kings 5:6) is still a favored building material because of its durability and beauty.