Keraia
1 Kings 5

1 Kings 5:9

Hiram’s Reply to Solomon · 1 Kings 5:7–12
Read 1 Kings 5

Translations

Modern
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.”
Traditional
My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household.
Literal
My servants will bring them down from Lebanon to the Sea, and I will float them in rafts by the sea to the place that you indicate to me, and I will break them up there. And you shall lift them and you shall fulfill my desire by giving food for my house.”
Latin
Servi mei deponent ea de Libano ad mare, et ego componam ea in ratibus in mari usque ad locum quem significaveris mihi: et applicabo ea ibi, et tu tolles ea: præbebisque necessaria mihi, ut detur cibus domui meæ.

Original

Hebrew
English
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.”

Notes

1 Kings 5:7–12

Hiram's response to Solomon confirmed and continued the friendly relations he had with David. The partnership benefited both sides. Solomon got the construction materials he needed for the temple. In return, he provided necessities for Hiram's household (1 Kings 5:9–10) and paid Hiram's workers (1 Kings 5:6). This passage shows the Phoenicians' skill in business and Solomon's great wealth. It also highlights Solomon's wisdom, which he believed was a gift from God. The mainly business-focused venture led to a formal peace alliance (1 Kings 5:12).

1 Kings 5:1–18

King Hiram of Tyre was a loyal friend of David (2 Samuel 5:11–12). This likely means they had a treaty. Hiram was an important ally and business partner (1 Kings 5:7–11, 18; 9:11, 26–28; 10:22). His name is a shorter version of Ahiram, found in other Phoenician writings.

Theme notes and profiles

Solomon Solomon’s Wisdom

Events

Parallels

2 Chronicles 2:11–18

Places

Lebanon: A mountainous region known for its cedar trees

Glossary

Alliance Hiram Kings, Books of First and Second Lebanon Pine Tree Postexilic Period Solomon (Person) Temple Tyre

Topics

Cedar: Furnished by Hiram, King of Tyre, for Solomon's Temple Contracts: Between Solomon and Hiram Covenants: Designed For: Promoting Commerce Diplomacy: Solomon, in his Alliance with Hiram Temple: Solomon's: Materials For, Furnished by Hiram the First Temple: Solomon: Contracted with Hiram for Wood, Stone, and Labour Treaty: Reciprocity Tyre: Kingdom of Men and Materials Sent From, to Solomon, for the Erection of the Temple and his Castles Tyre: Supplied: Stones and Timber for Building the Temple