1Ki 5:5 | KingComments | STEP | Solomon answers the rapprochement of Hiram with a request for help with the building of the temple. He precedes his request by reminding Hiram of David’s plan to build a house for the LORD and why he was not allowed to do so ( ). Because of his wars and bloodshed, David was not allowed to build the temple ( ). David is a picture of the Lord Jesus who fought the battle of God. On earth He could not build the temple. Solomon is a picture of the glorified Lord and as such he is the builder of the temple. The basis for the building is rest ( ). Rest is the rest of the glorified Lord. From Acts 2, after completing His work of redemption, in which every enemy is defeated and there is rest, the Lord Jesus builds the temple, the church. In some respects, it is also true today that there can be no building of the house of God, that there can be no building of the church, if we have to fight to preserve the truths that are entrusted to us ( ). Also the building of the church will come to nothing if the believers are at odds with each other because of all kinds of quarrels and insignificant differences of opinion. Because of many abuses in the church in Corinth and errors that had found their way into the churches in Galatia, Paul could not share much there to build up the church. He first had to correct there in order to clear the way for further building. If there is peace, building up can take place. “So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up” ( ). Then Solomon tells that he plans to build that house for the LORD ( ). He does not do this on his own initiative, but because it is according to the will of God, which he has made known to his father David. Solomon invites Hiram and declares to him the mystery of God concerning the temple and that is, that also heathens are involved in its building ( ). They may help, in recognition of the gifts they have. For the building of the temple, David, Solomon’s father, gathered gold and silver in abundance ( ). However, wood is also needed. Solomon asks Hiram. In return, Solomon promises wages. He does not negotiate about it, but will give Hiram whatever he may ask. This shows how important the building of God’s house is to Solomon. Hiram promises to give him everything he needs. Solomon knows the special abilities of the Sidonians and appealed to them for building the temple. Despite the fact that he far surpasses Hiram in wealth and stature, he still appeals to him. This means that we must never look down on those who may not be as richly blessed socially or spiritually as we are. Spiritual riches should never be something on which we boast. We must always be aware: “What do you have that you did not receive” ( )?

‏ 1 Kings 5:5

Plan to Build the Temple

Solomon answers the rapprochement of Hiram with a request for help with the building of the temple. He precedes his request by reminding Hiram of David’s plan to build a house for the LORD and why he was not allowed to do so (1Kgs 5:2-3). Because of his wars and bloodshed, David was not allowed to build the temple (1Chr 22:8). David is a picture of the Lord Jesus who fought the battle of God. On earth He could not build the temple.

Solomon is a picture of the glorified Lord and as such he is the builder of the temple. The basis for the building is rest (1Kgs 5:4). Rest is the rest of the glorified Lord. From Acts 2, after completing His work of redemption, in which every enemy is defeated and there is rest, the Lord Jesus builds the temple, the church.

In some respects, it is also true today that there can be no building of the house of God, that there can be no building of the church, if we have to fight to preserve the truths that are entrusted to us (Jude 1:3). Also the building of the church will come to nothing if the believers are at odds with each other because of all kinds of quarrels and insignificant differences of opinion.

Because of many abuses in the church in Corinth and errors that had found their way into the churches in Galatia, Paul could not share much there to build up the church. He first had to correct there in order to clear the way for further building. If there is peace, building up can take place. “So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up” (Acts 9:31a).

Then Solomon tells that he plans to build that house for the LORD (1Kgs 5:5). He does not do this on his own initiative, but because it is according to the will of God, which he has made known to his father David.

Solomon invites Hiram and declares to him the mystery of God concerning the temple and that is, that also heathens are involved in its building (1Kgs 5:6). They may help, in recognition of the gifts they have. For the building of the temple, David, Solomon’s father, gathered gold and silver in abundance (1Chr 29:2).

However, wood is also needed. Solomon asks Hiram. In return, Solomon promises wages. He does not negotiate about it, but will give Hiram whatever he may ask. This shows how important the building of God’s house is to Solomon. Hiram promises to give him everything he needs.

Solomon knows the special abilities of the Sidonians and appealed to them for building the temple. Despite the fact that he far surpasses Hiram in wealth and stature, he still appeals to him. This means that we must never look down on those who may not be as richly blessed socially or spiritually as we are. Spiritual riches should never be something on which we boast. We must always be aware: “What do you have that you did not receive” (1Cor 4:7)?