Sabbath, September 28 – 1 Kings 5, 6 – Prophets and Kings, Chapter 2, “The Temple and Its Dedication”
1. What agreement did Solomon make with Hiram, king of Tyre? (1 Kings 5:8, 9)
2. How many years after the exodus did Solomon begin building the Temple? (1 Kings 6:1)
Commentary and Reflection:
Solomon was blessed with peace all around and great wealth. Hiram, the king of Tire, had been a loyal ally to David, and now Solomon sent messengers to request his help obtaining materials for the temple’s construction. Hiram was pleased to assist.
Peace and trade foster national progress. Trade is founded on mutually beneficial exchanges. Hiram had the famous cedars of Lebanon, while Solomon had an abundance of wheat and oil. Hiram also had skilled labor, and both parties benefited from this commercial partnership.
Hiram praised Solomon’s wisdom. It is wise to use talents as God gives them because blessings come through their use. Solomon showed no shame or nationalistic pride in recognizing talent wherever it was found.
Concerning Gebal, from where the skilled men in wood and stone came, the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary notes, ” a coastal city of Phoenicia. It seems that they were skillful workers in stone and were employed any other experts for the performance of tasks requiring special skills.” (SDABC, 1 Kings 5:18)
Solomon did not use force or coercion to secure resources; he used diplomacy and commercial negotiation.
The temple project was elevated to a national priority and given state significance. The Andrews Bible Commentary states:
“The narrative of 5:13-18 describes the labor force (4:6). Solomon conscripted 30,000 Israelites and rostered them in three shifts lasting a month each, so that at any one time there were 10,000 of them in Lebanon and 20,000 working at the temple site in Jerusalem. From resident foreigners, he raised 70,000 to transport construction materials and 80,000 to rough-cut blocks from the quarries, and he appointed 3,300 supervisors to oversee them. All stone blocks (including the foundation stones that would be hidden underground) were dressed the quarry to a high standard (v. 17; cf. 6:7) b Solomon’s and Hiram’s skilled workers (v. 18).” (Andrews Bible Commentary, 1 Kings 5)
Solomon did not delay carrying out his father’s commission and the mission God entrusted to him. In the fourth year of his reign, he began building the temple. He could have pursued other projects. With his father no longer present, he could have ignored God’s command and focused on his ambitions. As a young, newly crowned king, he had many opportunities and excuses to do as he wished, but he did not. He devoted seven years of peace in his kingdom to establish a permanent House of God, which had been mobile for centuries. The mention of the years since the Exodus underscores the historical significance of this moment. Regarding Solomon’s motivation and that of the people, the Seventh-day Adventist Bible Commentary states:
“Solomon’s decision to build the Temple was not an arbitrary, self-devised act, nor was it prompted solely through the wish and will of his father, David. The motive that prompted Solomon was not personal ambition, the love of glory or pomp, but the carrying out of the purpose of Heaven. The hour had clearly come for the house of the Lord to be built, and Solomon gave himself whole-heatedly to the task. The period was one of rest and peace, both within the nation of Israel and among the nations round about. It was a time also of prosperity, enabling Solomon to secure the necessary materials. The people were able and willing to build.” (SDABC, 1 Kings 6:1)
“So Solomon built the temple and finished it.” (1 Kings 6:14, NKJV)
May God grant us a clear understanding of His calling and purpose for our lives. Let us pray for determination and courage to follow them.