It was one of Solomon’s first priorities to fulfill the obligation laid upon him before he was even born – namely, the building of the Lord’s Temple at Jerusalem. For this project, David had made very large preparations; but there was still much to do, and the new king of Israel found it necessary to seek the assistance of King Hiram of Tyre. Apparently, Hiram and David had been great friends and carried on friendly correspondence with each other. And now Hiram sent a friendly embassy to congratulate Solomon on his accession to Israel’s throne. Solomon replied by another delegation, which was charged to formally ask Hiram for assistance in the Temple-building project that he was about to undertake. And the request was entertained by Hiram in the most cordial manner. It seems that some of David’s personal devotion to the Lord may have worked some good effect on Hiram, for he blessed the name of Jehovah when he received Solomon’s request!

Solomon found himself in particular need of quality timber, and there was none better than that which was found in Lebanon – the northern districts of the land of Israel. He petitioned Hiram to send his Phoenician workmen to assist his own laborers in felling some of the famous cedars of Lebanon, so that they could be used in the construction of the Temple. The agreement was that Solomon would provide wheat, barley, and oil for the support of Hiram’s men during the time that they were working to supply him with these building materials. He also agreed to give Hiram an annual rate of wheat and oil for the support of his own household – roughly 19 million cups (nearly 2.15 million kg) of wheat and 1,160 gallons (4,391 liters) of olive oil.

But Solomon also needed a master craftsman who would be able to carry out the plans that had been drawn and left to him by David; and for such a man, he also applied to Hiram for help. (This is recorded in the Book of 2 Chronicles.) And Hiram’s selection fell upon a person who had the same name as himself! This man had the advantage of being the son of a Hebrew woman from the tribe of Naphtali, although his father was a man of Tyre. It is possible that there were other men in Tyre who were as well-qualified as Hiram, the skillful workman; but he was chosen by King Hiram on the supposition that his connection with the Israelites on his mother’s side of his family would render him more acceptable to them, thereby causing him to feel more interested in this undertaking.

This was a time of peace in Solomon’s kingdom, and he did wisely to use that time to build the Temple. Satan does all he can to hinder Temple-work for the Lord. Thus, at times when there is no evil abroad, let us be ready and active in that which is good, and get forward! May God’s promises quicken our endeavors, and may all our skills and advantages be made serviceable to the interests of Christ’s Kingdom!

There was a great peculiarity about the Temple construction; for no sound of ax, hammer, or chisel was heard on Mount Moriah while the building was rising – day by day – in beauty and glory. Therefore, the massive timber that was used was prepared in Lebanon, where it was cut down. Then it was carried to the seaside and conveyed down the coastline in floats to Joppa. From there, the distance to Jerusalem was only about 40 miles (64 km). Similarly, the great and splendid stones (verse 17) that were used for the Temple were all chiseled and carefully marked before being sent to Jerusalem.

An undertaking of such great magnitude would obviously require a very large number of workmen. These laborers were divided into two classes. The first was comprised of 30,000 native Israelite men who worked by relays – 10,000 being employed for one month at a time, after which they returned to their homes for two months. The second class of workmen consisted of resident foreigners in Palestine. They amounted to 150,000 – of whom, 70,000 were burden-bearers, and 80,000 were stonecutters. Over this second class of workmen, 3,300 officers were appointed. The two classes are carefully distinguished. The Israelites were free laborers, who worked under the direction of Hiram’s skilled men; while the others, who were the descendants of the ancient heathen inhabitants of Palestine, were actually held to forced labor. The Temple was largely built by the riches and labor of Gentiles (non-Jews), which foreshadowed their being called into the Church of God. Solomon commanded, and they brought costly stones for the foundation. Jesus is our chosen and precious Cornerstone; and happy are those who – as living stones – are built up into a spiritual house, to be a habitation for the Holy Spirit! Who among us will help build the house of the Lord?

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