📖 1 Kings — Chapter 5 (KJV)
Read the complete King James Version chapter below, then explore the passage sections, check what you remember, and keep your private study notes.
Scripture source: Project Gutenberg KJV, ebook 10.
1 Kings 5:1 And THiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: Rfor Hiram was ever a lover of David.
1 Kings 5:2 RAnd Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,
1 Kings 5:3 Thou knowest how that David my father Rcould not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.
1 Kings 5:4 But now the LORD my God Rhath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.
1 Kings 5:5 And, Rbehold, I Tpurpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.
1 Kings 5:6 Now therefore command thou that they hew me Rcedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt Tappoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians.
1 Kings 5:7 And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, RBlessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people.
1 Kings 5:8 And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have Tconsidered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning Rtimber of fir.
1 Kings 5:9 My servants shall bring them down from RLebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt Tappoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household.
1 Kings 5:10 So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire.
1 Kings 5:11 And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand Tmeasures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year.
1 Kings 5:12 And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, Ras he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.
1 Kings 5:13 And king Solomon raised a Tlevy out of all Israel; and Rthe levy was thirty thousand men.
1 Kings 5:14 And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses: a month they were in Lebanon, and two months at home: and RAdoniram was over the levy.
1 Kings 5:15 And Solomon had Rthreescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains;
1 Kings 5:16 Beside the chief of Solomon’s officers which were over the work, Rthree thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in the work.
1 Kings 5:17 And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, Rcostly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.
1 Kings 5:18 And Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders did hew them, and the Tstonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.
📚 Study This Chapter
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Kings 5:1–6 — Preparing to build the LORD’s house
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Solomon tells Hiram that the LORD has given rest and that he intends to fulfill the promise concerning David’s son. He requests skilled help and cedar from Lebanon. The undertaking begins with a stated purpose, available peace, and recognition of the skills of others.
Key Truth: Prepare important work with clear purpose and respect for others’ abilities.
Check What You Remember
1. Who was king of Tyre? (1 Kings 5:1)
Find it in 1 Kings 5:1 (KJV).
2. Whose son was to build the house? (1 Kings 5:5)
Find it in 1 Kings 5:5 (KJV).
3. From where was cedar requested? (1 Kings 5:6)
Find it in 1 Kings 5:6 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Kings 5:7–12 — A peaceful agreement for timber and food
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Hiram welcomes Solomon’s request and arranges sea transport for cedar and fir. Solomon supplies wheat and oil for Hiram’s household. Their agreement joins skilled work with material provision, and the narrator again credits the LORD with Solomon’s wisdom.
Key Truth: Wise cooperation involves clear commitments and mutual provision.
Check What You Remember
1. What two timbers did Hiram supply? (1 Kings 5:10)
Find it in 1 Kings 5:10 (KJV).
2. What grain did Solomon supply? (1 Kings 5:11)
Find it in 1 Kings 5:11 (KJV).
3. Who gave Solomon wisdom as promised? (1 Kings 5:12)
Find it in 1 Kings 5:12 (KJV).
📖 What We’re Reading
1 Kings 5:13–18 — Workers and foundation stones
🌱 What These Verses Teach Us
Solomon raises a levy with rotating periods in Lebanon and at home. Burden-bearers, stonecutters, overseers, and builders prepare timber and costly stones. The detailed work reminds readers that a great building depends on many laborers, whose service should not disappear behind a king’s name.
Key Truth: Honor the people whose labor makes shared work possible.
Check What You Remember
1. How many men were in the levy? (1 Kings 5:13)
Find it in 1 Kings 5:13 (KJV).
2. Who was over the levy? (1 Kings 5:14)
Find it in 1 Kings 5:14 (KJV).
3. What material was prepared for the foundation? (1 Kings 5:17)
Find it in 1 Kings 5:17 (KJV).
Related Scripture (KJV)
2 Samuel 7:13 — God’s promise to David anticipates his son building a house for His name.
This related passage is selected for its connection with this chapter. It is separate from the chapter text.
Reflect and Apply
Which skills and efforts do you need from others? Consider how to cooperate fairly and recognize the people who carry the work.
Advanced Questions and Answers
Study this chapter’s wording, patterns, contrasts, and meaning in greater depth.
1. What difference between David’s and Solomon’s circumstances supports building?
2. How does Solomon acknowledge the Sidonians’ skill?
3. How is the timber to reach Solomon?
4. What accompanies the partnership between the kings?
5. How does the levy rotate service in Lebanon?
Notes
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