Resource > Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable) >
1 Kings >
Exposition >
I. THE REIGN OF SOLOMON chs. 1--11 >
C. Solomon's Greatest Contribution chs. 5-8 >
1. Preparations for building ch. 5 >
Solomon's request of Hiram 5:1-6
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Hiram probably reigned from about 980-947 B.C.64Most scholars agree that his reign overlapped David's by about nine years and Solomon's by about 24 (cf. 2 Sam. 5:11). Tyre was an important Mediterranean Sea port in Phoenicia north of Israel. Sidon (v. 6), another Phoenician port city, stood a few miles north of Tyre.
"A house for the name of the Lord"(v. 3) means a house for Yahweh that would communicate His reputation to the world. Cedar (v. 6) is still a favored building material because of its durability and beauty.