1Ki 5-7 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for 1Kgs 5:1-18: 5:1-18 King Hiram of Tyre had . . . been a loyal friend of David (2 Sam 5:11-12 ). This might mean that the two shared a covenantal relationship (a treaty). Hiram was a valuable ally and commercial partner (1 Kgs 5:7-11 , 18 ; 9:11 , 26-28 ; 10:22 ). His name is a shortened form of Ahiram, a name seen elsewhere in Phoenician inscriptions.

Summary for 1Kgs 5:1-18: 5:1-18 ^a King Hiram of Tyre had . . . been a loyal friend of David (2 Sam 5:11-12 ^b). This might mean that the two shared a covenantal relationship (a treaty). Hiram was a valuable ally and commercial partner (1 Kgs 5:7-11 ^c, 18 ^d; 9:11 ^e, 26-28 ^f; 10:22 ^g). His name is a shortened form of Ahiram, a name seen elsewhere in Phoenician inscriptions.
Summary for 1Kgs 5:2-6: 5:2-6 ^h Solomon responded to Hiram by sending word through Hiram’s ambassadors that he intended to build a Temple to honor the name of the Lord, following his father David’s desire and provisions for its construction (2 Sam 7:1-3 ⁱ; 1 Chr 17:1-15 ^j; 22:14-19 ^k; 28:9-12 ^l).
5:3 ^m gave him victory over all his enemies (literally put them under the soles of his feet): Ancient Near Eastern inscriptions and paintings often depict victorious kings with their feet upon the necks of vanquished foes or with enemies subdued at their feet.
Summary for 1Kgs 5:4-5: 5:4-5 ⁿ Unlike David, Solomon enjoyed peace [literally rest] on every side. Solomon’s name (Hebrew shlomoh) may be a variation of the word for “peace” (Hebrew shalom).

• The name of the Lord signifies God’s self-revealed character and reputation. The Hebrew term translated the name was sometimes used in oral reading of Scripture so the reader could avoid uttering the personal name of God (the tetragrammaton—YHWH). The New Testament applies the term “the name” to Jesus (Acts 5:41 ^o; 3 Jn 1:7 ^p).
5:6 ^q please command: The main thrust of Solomon’s message was his request for cedars from Lebanon, indicating Hiram’s wide commercial influence. Ancient Near Eastern literature often cites the use of Lebanese cedars in building and furnishing temples and palaces.

• Sidonians was a general name for Phoenicians; Sidon was more ancient than Tyre.
Summary for 1Kgs 5:7-12: 5:7-12 ^r Hiram’s reply to Solomon confirmed and perpetuated the cordial relations that he had with David. The venture was mutually beneficial. Solomon received needed construction materials for the Temple; in return, he supplied necessities for Hiram’s household (5:9-10 ^s) and paid Hiram’s workers (5:6 ^t). The passage illustrates the Phoenicians’ skillful commercial enterprises and Solomon’s immense wealth, and it again emphasizes Solomon’s God-given wisdom. The largely commercial venture led to a formal alliance of peace (5:12 ^u). 5:7 ^v Praise the Lord: Hiram did not acknowledge Israel’s God as his own but, following ancient Near Eastern protocol, he politely recognized Solomon’s God (see 10:9 ^w; 2 Kgs 18:22-25 ^x; Ezra 1:2-4 ^y; 6:12 ^z; Dan 2:47 ^aa; 3:29 ^ab; 6:26-27 ^ac).
Summary for 1Kgs 5:13-18: 5:13-18 ^ad This passage describes Solomon’s work force and the division of labor. Forced labor was a common practice in the ancient Near East (see study note on 4:6). 5:13 ^ae Aliens with permanent residency in Israel comprised the bulk of Solomon’s labor force. Native Israelites were apparently temporary supervisors for Solomon’s building projects (9:22-23 ^af; 11:28 ^ag).
5:16 ^ah 3,600 foremen: In 2 Chronicles (2 Chr 2:2 ^ai, 17-18 ^aj; 8:10 ^ak) the foremen total 3,600 non-Israelite and 250 Israelite chief supervisors. The numbers in the Hebrew text of 1 Kgs 5:16 ^al and 9:23 ^am are 3,300 foremen and 550 chief supervisors. It is possible that 250 of the chief supervisors were Israelites, with 300 non-Israelites holding the same rank.
Summary for 1Kgs 5:17-18: 5:17-18 ^an Large blocks of high-quality stone were probably cut to size (see 7:10 ^ao) in a quarry near Jerusalem (6:7 ^ap). The need to handle these massive stones is probably what led Solomon to institute forced labor. The craftsmen included men from ... Gebal (Byblos), a port known for exporting timber, according to ancient Egyptian inscriptions.

‏ 1 Kings 6

Summary for 1Kgs 6:1-8:66: 6:1–8:66 ^aq The building of the Temple and palace complex and the celebration of the Temple dedication are central to the 1 Kings account of Solomon’s era. The Temple, erected to glorify God, was Israel’s most important building, so the writer of 1 Kings carefully recorded details of its construction. 6:1 ^ar Solomon’s fourth year was about 967 BC. Treating the number 480 as representing calendar years yields a date of about 1446 BC for Israel’s exodus from Egypt. Those who view the number as symbolic (12 generations times 40 years each) suggest that the Exodus occurred at a later date, around 1270 BC (see Exodus Book Introduction, “The Date of the Exodus”).
6:2 ^as Like the Tabernacle before it, the Temple (literally house) was the place where God met with his people. David had stored up materials to be used in its construction (1 Chr 22:2-4 ^at, 14 ^au) and had drawn up plans for the Temple and given them to Solomon (1 Chr 28:11-12 ^av). The Temple’s floor plan resembled that of the Tabernacle but doubled its length and width and increased its height (cp. Exod 26:3 ^aw, 15-30 ^ax; 36:26-34 ^ay).
Summary for 1Kgs 6:3-4: 6:3-4 ^az Unlike the Tabernacle, the Temple had an east entry room (or porch) and two freestanding pillars before the entrance (7:15-22 ^ba).
Summary for 1Kgs 6:11-13: 6:11-13 ^bb The Lord had an encouraging message for Solomon. Because God appeared to Solomon before (3:5 ^bc) and after (9:2 ^bd) this event, this message probably came to him by a prophet. The words reminded the king of God’s prior promise (3:14 ^be): If Solomon remained faithful to God, the Temple that he was building would become an eternal dwelling place for God.
Summary for 1Kgs 6:14-35: 6:14-35 ^bf The focus shifts to the Temple interior. While the Temple site is not mentioned here, the Chronicler located it at the former threshing floor of Araunah (1 Chr 21:18-25 ^bg; 2 Chr 3:1 ^bh). This site is traditionally thought to be the location of Mount Moriah (Gen 22:2 ^bi). Solomon’s Temple was in the northeastern corner of Jerusalem (now called the “old city”) in the area now associated with the Dome of the Rock.
Summary for 1Kgs 6:15-18: 6:15-18 ^bj paneled with wood: The interior walls were paneled with cedar from floor to ceiling so that no exterior stones could be seen. The effect was exquisitely beautiful, reflecting painstaking care and great expense.
Summary for 1Kgs 6:19-22: 6:19-22 ^bk Following the pattern of the Tabernacle, the inner sanctuary, which was overlaid ... inside with solid gold, was separated from the main room of the Temple by a curtain (2 Chr 3:14 ^bl) and gold chains. Like the Most Holy Place in the Tabernacle, the inner sanctuary was a perfect cube. It housed the Ark of the Lord’s Covenant that symbolized God’s presence. The place of atonement was atop the Ark (Exod 25:17 ^bm); the high priest annually made propitiation for the Israelites by sprinkling the sacrificial blood of the atonement on it (Lev 16:1-19 ^bn).

• The altar that belonged to the Most Holy Place stood in the main room. The priests burned incense there daily (Exod 30:34-38 ^bo; 37:25-29 ^bp). The altar was made of cedar and covered with gold.

• Like the inner sanctuary, the main room was also completely overlaid with gold, which reminded the priests that Almighty God was present. The main room also housed ten golden lampstands, ten tables (2 Chr 4:7-8 ^bq), and other furnishings (1 Kgs 7:48-50 ^br).
Summary for 1Kgs 6:23-28: 6:23-28 ^bs In the inner sanctuary were two cherubim (see study note on 1 Chr 28:18) made of olive wood and overlaid ... with gold. Standing like sentries facing the door (2 Chr 3:13 ^bt), their combined wingspan reached from wall to wall. Along with the two smaller cherubim facing each other atop the Ark (Exod 25:17-21 ^bu), they symbolized the awesome presence of the Most Holy God.
Summary for 1Kgs 6:36-38: 6:36-38 ^bv The inner courtyard surrounding the Temple was restricted to the priests (2 Chr 4:9 ^bw) and contained the bronze altar (2 Chr 4:1 ^bx), the bronze Sea (1 Kgs 7:23-26 ^by; 2 Chr 4:2-5 ^bz), and ten carts that could hold ten basins of water for purification (1 Kgs 7:27-40 ^ca; 2 Chr 4:6 ^cb).
6:38 ^cc midautumn, in the month of Bul: The year was 960 BC.

‏ 1 Kings 7

Summary for 1Kgs 7:1-12: 7:1-12 ^cd Before describing the Temple’s furnishings, the writer mentions the construction of Solomon’s palace complex. The multiple buildings within this complex took nearly twice as long to build (thirteen years) as the Temple (seven years, 6:38 ^ce). The entire building project took twenty years (9:10 ^cf). Although construction details are brief, archaeological discovery of two of Solomon’s buildings provides an idea of how this palace might have looked. Despite its grandeur, Solomon’s palace is not the author’s focus; his interest is in the Temple, God’s dwelling place.
Summary for 1Kgs 7:2-5: 7:2-5 ^cg The Palace of the Forest of Lebanon was named for the abundant use of cedar in its construction. It would house 300 gold shields (10:16-17 ^ch) and possibly served as both treasury and armory (see 12:25-28 ^ci; Isa 22:8 ^cj). The Egyptian pharaoh Shishak later carried away the shields as booty (1 Kgs 14:27 ^ck).
Summary for 1Kgs 7:6-8: 7:6-8 ^cl The Hall of Pillars was apparently a colonnaded entry to the Hall of Justice, where Solomon sat to hear legal matters (see also 10:18-20 ^cm). Similar throne rooms have been found in Syria and Mesopotamia.

• Solomon erected separate living quarters for Pharaoh’s daughter (see 3:1 ^cn; 9:24 ^co; 2 Chr 8:11 ^cp).
Summary for 1Kgs 7:9-11: 7:9-11 ^cq As with the Temple, the stones for Solomon’s palace complex were high-quality stone, cut ... and trimmed to exact specifications. Similar stonework has been found at Megiddo. Cedar beams between the courses of the wall provided better protection against earthquakes.
7:12 ^cr The great courtyard that encircled the Temple and palace complex provided a gathering place for the people (see Jer 7:1-2 ^cs; 36:10 ^ct).
Summary for 1Kgs 7:13-14: 7:13-14 ^cu Huram: Like his father, he was a master craftsman in bronze and other materials (2 Chr 2:12-14 ^cv). His skillful metal work is detailed in the following verses (1 Kgs 7:15-50 ^cw).

• skillful and talented (literally filled with wisdom and understanding and knowledge): The Israelites placed great emphasis on practical skills and considered them a form of wisdom (Prov 22:29 ^cx).
Summary for 1Kgs 7:15-22: 7:15-22 ^cy The two bronze pillars were probably free-standing since the narrator describes them here rather than in the earlier discussion of the Temple structure (6:3-6 ^cz).
Summary for 1Kgs 7:23-26: 7:23-26 ^da The giant bronze basin called the Sea replaced the smaller bronze washbasin used in the Tabernacle service (see Exod 30:17-21 ^db). The Sea was cast as one solid piece, excluding the twelve bronze oxen on which it sat. The oxen were placed so that three faced each direction, perhaps to remind priests that they served God on behalf of all twelve tribes of Israel. Ahaz later replaced the oxen with a stone base (2 Kgs 16:17 ^dc). The priests used the Sea, like the bronze washbasin before it, for ceremonial washing (2 Chr 4:6 ^dd) as they prepared to minister before God (see Exod 30:17-21 ^de). The apparent discrepancy in the volume of water it could hold (see 2 Chr 4:5 ^df) is probably due to standards of measurement that varied according to place and time.
Summary for 1Kgs 7:27-39: 7:27-39 ^dg The ten bronze water carts each held a basin for rinsing burnt offerings (2 Chr 4:6 ^dh). Five stood on either side of the Temple. Because they had wheels, they could be moved as needed.
Summary for 1Kgs 7:40-45: 7:40-45 ^di Huram had great skill in casting items of varying size and complexity. He also made the bronze altar for the inner court that was used for burnt offerings (2 Chr 4:1 ^dj).
Summary for 1Kgs 7:46-47: 7:46-47 ^dk between Succoth and Zarethan: This area east of the Jordan River (see Josh 3:16 ^dl; Judg 8:4-5 ^dm) was known for metallurgy. Abundant clay for molds, wood for fuel, and a prevailing north wind facilitated the casting process.
Summary for 1Kgs 7:48-49: 7:48-49 ^dn The gold altar replaced the altar for burning incense used in the Tabernacle (Exod 30:1-10 ^do). The one table and one lampstand used in the Tabernacle (Exod 25:23-40 ^dp) were replaced by ten such sets in the Temple. Although the author lists a single gold table for the Bread of the Presence, the Chronicler reports ten tables, five on each side of the Temple’s main room (cp. 2 Chr 4:8 ^dq), along with ten lampstands of solid gold. The bread represented God’s provision for his people, and the lampstand characterized God as the source of life and truth. Both symbols pointed to Christ, the bread of life (John 6:35 ^dr) and the light of the world (John 8:12 ^ds).
Summary for 1Kgs 7:50-51: 7:50-51 ^dt The writer emphasizes Solomon’s abundant use of gold in furnishing the Temple. David and the people had collected an enormous amount of gold to be used for the Temple (1 Chr 29:1-9 ^du), and Solomon also amassed gold annually (1 Kgs 10:14 ^dv), so he had a ready supply (see 10:21 ^dw).