1. Preparations for building ch. 5

 Solomon's request of Hiram 5:1-6

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.

 Solomon's treaty with Hiram 5:7-12

The fact that Hiram cooperated with and even blessed Yahweh (v. 7) shows how God brought blessing to Gentiles as well as to the Israelites through David and Solomon's godly dedication to the Lord. The covenant between Israel and Phoenicia (v. 12) resulted in peace for many years.

 Solomon's conscription of laborers 5:13-18

Solomon's forced laborers were non-Israelites (1 Chron. 8:7-8). Israelites also served, but they were not slaves (9:22). Solomon's method of providing workers for state projects became very distasteful to the people eventually, perhaps because of how he administered it (cf. 12:18). Solomon's temple rested on massive limestone blocks that he had quarried out of the hills north of Jerusalem (v. 17). The Gebelites (v. 18) lived in Byblos, 13 miles north of modern Beirut and 60 miles north of Tyre.

The main emphasis in this chapter is on the favorable response of the Phoenician king, Hiram, with which God blessed Israel through Solomon's wisdom (v. 7). Solomon wrote that when a person's ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him (Prov. 16:7). Such was God's blessing on Solomon at this time.