1 Kings 5:1-5

Context

Solomon Gathers Building Materials for the Temple

5:1 (5:15)¹ King Hiram of Tyre² sent messengers³ to Solomon when he heard that he had been anointed king in his father’s place. (Hiram had always been an ally of David.) 5:2 Solomon then sent this message to Hiram: 5:3 “You know that my father David was unable to build a temple to honor the Lord⁴ his God, for he was busy fighting battles on all fronts while the Lord subdued his enemies.⁵ 5:4 But now the Lord my God has made me secure on all fronts; there is no adversary or dangerous threat. 5:5 So I have decided⁶ to build a temple to honor the Lord⁷ my God, as the Lord instructed my father David, ‘Your son, whom I will put on your throne in your place, is the one who will build a temple to honor me.’⁸

[5:1] ¹sn The verse numbers in the English Bible differ from those in the Hebrew text (BHS) here; 5:1-18 in the English Bible corresponds to 5:15-32 in the Hebrew text. See the note at 4:21.

[5:1] ²map For location see Map1 A2; Map2 G2; Map4 A1; JP3 F3; JP4 F3.

[5:1] ³tn Heb “his servants.”

[5:3] ⁴tn Heb “a house for the name of the Lord.” The word “name” sometimes refers to one’s reputation or honor. The “name” of the Lord sometimes designates the Lord himself, being indistinguishable from the proper name.

[5:3] ⁵tn Heb “because of the battles which surrounded him until the Lord placed them under the soles of his feet.”

[5:5] ⁶tn Heb “Look, I am saying.”

[5:5] ⁷tn Heb “a house for the name of the Lord.” The word “name” sometimes refers to one’s reputation or honor. The “name” of the Lord sometimes designates the Lord himself, being indistinguishable from the proper name.

[5:5] ⁸tn Heb “a house for my name.” The word “name” sometimes refers to one’s reputation or honor. The “name” of the Lord sometimes designates the Lord himself, being indistinguishable from the proper name.