Book of First Kings I Kings 5 Preparations for Solomon’s Temple Chapters 5-8 deal with the temple, God’s majestic house of worship. Chapter 5 describes the preparation of the temple. Chapter 6 records the temple construction. Chapter 7 tells about the furnishings within the temple. Chapter 8 records the completion and dedication of the temple. 1. A Key Relationship with King Hiram (vs. 1-12) Compare this account in 1 Kings 5 to the more detailed record in 2 Chronicles 2. Both chapters contain the same number of verses (18), but 2 Chronicles 2 provides some additional information. A. Hiram was the King of Tyre (vs. 1) – This was an important port city on the Mediterranean Sea to the north of Israel. Tyre was in the southern part of Phoenicia (modern day Lebanon), a country known for its cedar trees. The Lebanese flag features one of its famous cedar trees. These cedar trees were a symbol of majesty, strength, and stability. Psalms 92:12 The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon (see also Ps. 29:5; Isa. 2:13) . Cedar wood was known as the best building material because it was resistant to rot and worms, it had a beautiful grain and could be polished to an impressive shine. At this time the main building material in Israel was limestone. 2 Chronicles 2:8 also mentions fir and algum trees. B. Hiram had been a friend of King David (vs. 1) – He ruled over Tyre for 34 years (978- 944 B.C.). He had provided building materials and working men for David to build his royal palace (2 Sam. 5:11). David’s alliance with Hiram was wise for both men and their people. Hiram’s kingdom had sea power, and David’s kingdom had land power. Probably due to David’s testimony, Hiram was convinced that the God of Israel (Jehovah) was the one true God (see 2 Chron. 2:12, “the Lord God of Israel, that made heaven and earth”). C. Hiram learned about Solomon’s plan to build the temple (vs. 2-5) – David wanted to build the temple, but God said it was not the right time and David was not the right person (2 Sam. 7:1-13; 1 Chron. 28:2-3). David planned it, prepared for it, purchased land for it, and provided the materials, but Solomon actually built it. God allowed Solomon to build it because the time was right and there was lasting peace in the kingdom (Solomon’s name means “peace”). This temple was not a monument to David, but a temple to honor the name of the Lord (Jehovah, “I AM”). It would be a unique place of worship set aside just for Him. God’s name represents His holy and unchanging character. Notice how Solomon spoke both of David’s relationship to God (vs. 3, “the Lord his God”) and of his personal relationship with God (vs. 4-5, “the Lord my God”). D. Hiram understood Solomon’s need for materials and manpower (vs. 6) – The project was for God and He would surely bless it, but Solomon needed ample resources and human help to get it done. The temple was God’s idea but it involved human resources. The Sidonians lived in Sidon about 22 miles north of Tyre. Sidon was the headquarters of Baal worship. Jesus mentioned Tyre and Sidon along with Sodom as cities that had an evil reputation and deserved judgment (Mt. 11:20-24). The prophet Ezekiel spoke of a king of Tyre (not this one) as someone who represented Satan (Ezek. 28:12-17). Building the temple required real people cutting real trees and real money. For a great idea to become a reality, people have to get involved. Great ideas don’t just happen. Remember, anybody can have a great idea in the shower, but to get something worthwhile done takes a lot of commitment and sacrifice. God’s work is not accomplished with spare time and pocket change. E. Hiram and Solomon entered into a business relationship (vs. 7-12) – Hiram acknowledged the true God and recognized Solomon’s God-given wisdom (vs. 7). Hiram suggested a plan that involved cutting the timber and then transporting it by sea to Israel. The logs were floated on rafts to the seaport of Joppa in Israel and then were transported over land to Jerusalem (about 35 miles). Joppa was the port city where Jonah set sail to run away from his assignment (Jonah 1:3). Solomon paid wages to Hiram’s workers (vs. 6) and he also paid Hiram (vs. 11). Hiram suggested that his timber be traded for Solomon’s food supplies. This worked well for both kings and their people (a win-win situation). Hiram furnished Solomon with quality building timber (vs. 8 and 10, cedar and fir), and Solomon furnished Hiram with basic food supplies (vs. 11, wheat and oil). Tyre was a great location to grow trees, but a poor location to grow crops. On the other hand, Israel had rich farm land, but did not have the timber needed for such a project. 2. The Labor Force of King Solomon (vs. 13-18) A. Solomon built a large labor force (vs. 13, 15-16) – Before building the temple, Solomon first built his team of workers totaling 30,000 men. These workers were Israelites drafted to work on the project. In addition to these, Solomon had 70,000 workers to carry loads and 80,000 stonecutters (vs. 15). These were Canaanites (9:20- 22). Solomon also had 3,300 foremen (vs. 16) to oversee the workers. B. Solomon set up a rotating labor force (vs. 14) – Solomon sent 10,000 men per month in a rotation. These were Jewish men who worked a month, and then they were off two months, which meant they only worked away from home four months a year. Solomon wisely worked his men so they would work effectively for a time and then be able to rest and spend time with their families. C. Solomon had a diverse labor force (vs. 13, 15-16) – He had different people for different jobs. In addition to the 30,000 Jews, Solomon drafted 150,000 resident aliens (non-Jews who lived in Israel) for the work of carrying burdens and cutting stones. Both Jews and Gentiles worked in transporting materials and building the temple. This is an important fact when you consider that the temple was meant to be “a house of prayer for all people” (Isa. 56:7; Lk. 19:46). D. Solomon had a skilled labor force (vs. 17-18) – The workers carefully measured and cut the stones, and then transported them to the building site. The stones had to be cut very carefully and precisely so they would fit properly into the temple. Just as Bezaleel and Aholiab had special God-given skills to craft the materials and furnishings of the tabernacle (Ex. 31), skilled men were needed to build and furnish the temple. Lasting Lessons: A. Each of us has a career and a calling – Solomon had a career (job) as king, but he also had a special calling to build the temple as God’s house of worship. You and I have a career (job) and a special calling (assignment) that God has for our earthly life. B. Careful preparation is essential for any worthwhile project. God first prepared the Garden of Eden, then made Adam and Eve to live there (Gen. 2:8). The Lord Jesus is now preparing a special place in heaven for every believer (John 14:2). Solomon first made preparation with materials and manpower before starting to build the temple. The best materials and workmanship were used on this project because God deserves only the best. C. Teamwork is required to accomplish a big goal. As John Maxwell says, “Teamwork makes the dream work.” Solomon not only needed the support of Hiram and the workers of Tyre and Sidon, but he also needed many dedicated workers, who in turn, needed the support of their families. God’s work requires a team spirit among workers and the families of workers. Building projects are not easy, and they tend to bring out either the best in people or the worst. It was shortly after we entered our new sanctuary that I appeared with Pastor Herb Peak for a 15 minute television interview, and I recall that he asked me about our new building and commented that he knew it had been a difficult process. I was so thankful to be able to tell him that God had blessed the building process from start to finish. D. God’s work needs the right people in the right place . God is building His holy temple (the church) today (Eph. 2:19-22; 1 Pet. 2:5), and He uses people to accomplish His purpose. What a privilege it is to be part of His building project. E. God uses unlikely people to accomplish His purpose. He can use unsaved people and people we would not expect to do His will. For example, He used Hiram’s workmen and resident aliens in Israel to help build the temple. Later on God used the Persian king Cyrus to free Jewish captives and assist them in rebuilding the temple (Ezra 1). God also used the Roman ruler Herod to sponsor the temple in New Testament times. God’s work will be done, whether by believers or unbelievers. Book of First Kings I Kings 5 Preparations for Solomon’s Temple Chapters 5-8 deal with the temple, God’s majestic house of worship.