1Ki 5:15 | KingComments | STEP | is a transitional verse that refers to both the previous section and the next one. In this verse it is clearly stated once more that the LORD has given Solomon wisdom. Everything comes from Him. Solomon’s wisdom is evident from his covenant with Hiram, to obtain from him good materials and suitable workers for the building of God’s house. His wisdom is also reflected in the way he uses the labor forces. Solomon also supplies workers from his own country and sends them to the Lebanon north of Israel. A lot of men are needed to help felling the trees. This is done in rotation, so that everyone can still do their work at home. There are workers for various types of work. There are woodcutters, stone cutters, burden carriers [transporters] and deputies. These different tasks have their spiritual counterparts in the church. Take for example burden bearers. Bearing burdens is something to which we are all called ( ). There is also a great number of workers, which means that the tasks can be well divided and not everything falls on the shoulders of just a few. Unfortunately, that is often different today. Besides wood, stones are also needed, large precious stones as the foundation for the house. This is where it has to start. It is prepared on the instructions of Solomon himself. The foundation, although not seen when the house is finished, is the most important part of the building. In the same way God worked for His spiritual home. Christ, in the splendor of His glory, is the foundation of the church ( ; cf. ). He is the cornerstone. The foundation consists of all truths relating to Christ and His work, as revealed to us by His apostles and prophets in His Word ( ). The stones used to build the house are a picture of the believers, who are called “living stones” ( ). When the house is built on the foundation in this way, we see that “the whole building [note: this is the church], being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord” ( ).

‏ 1 Kings 5:15

The Workers

1Kgs 5:12 is a transitional verse that refers to both the previous section and the next one. In this verse it is clearly stated once more that the LORD has given Solomon wisdom. Everything comes from Him. Solomon’s wisdom is evident from his covenant with Hiram, to obtain from him good materials and suitable workers for the building of God’s house. His wisdom is also reflected in the way he uses the labor forces.

Solomon also supplies workers from his own country and sends them to the Lebanon north of Israel. A lot of men are needed to help felling the trees. This is done in rotation, so that everyone can still do their work at home.

There are workers for various types of work. There are woodcutters, stone cutters, burden carriers [transporters] and deputies. These different tasks have their spiritual counterparts in the church. Take for example burden bearers. Bearing burdens is something to which we are all called (Gal 6:2). There is also a great number of workers, which means that the tasks can be well divided and not everything falls on the shoulders of just a few. Unfortunately, that is often different today.

Besides wood, stones are also needed, large precious stones as the foundation for the house. This is where it has to start. It is prepared on the instructions of Solomon himself. The foundation, although not seen when the house is finished, is the most important part of the building.

In the same way God worked for His spiritual home. Christ, in the splendor of His glory, is the foundation of the church (1Cor 3:10-11; cf. Rev 21:19). He is the cornerstone. The foundation consists of all truths relating to Christ and His work, as revealed to us by His apostles and prophets in His Word (Eph 2:20). The stones used to build the house are a picture of the believers, who are called “living stones” (1Pet 2:5). When the house is built on the foundation in this way, we see that “the whole building [note: this is the church], being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord” (Eph 2:21).