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Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 5:1-9

We have here an account of the amicable correspondence between Solomon and Hiram. Tyre was a famous trading city, that lay close upon the sea, in the border of Israel; its inhabitants (as should seem) were none of the devoted nations, nor ever at enmity with Israel, and therefore David never offered to destroy them, but lived in friendship with them. It is here said of Hiram their king that he was ever a lover of David; and we have reason to think he was a worshipper of the true God, and had... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 5:1

And Hiram king of Tyre sent servants unto Solomon ,.... His ambassadors, to condole him on the death of his father, and congratulate him on his accession to the throne; this king is called by the Phoenician historians F19 Apud Joseph. contr. Apion. l. 1. c. 17, 18. Hirom, and by Eupolemus F20 Apud Euseb. Praepar. Evangel. l. 9. c. 33, 34. Suron, as he is Huram in 2 Chronicles 2:3 ; and by Theophilus of Antioch F21 Ad Antolyc. l. 3. p. 131, 132. Hierom the son of... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 5:1

Hiram king of Tyre - It must have been at the beginning of Solomon's reign that these ambassadors were sent; and some suppose that the Hiram mentioned here is different from him who was the friend of David; but there seems no very solid reason for this supposition. As Hiram had intimate alliance with David, and built his palace, 2 Samuel 5:11 , he wished to maintain the same good understanding with his son, of whose wisdom he had no doubt heard the most advantageous accounts; and he... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 5:1

EXPOSITION SOLOMON AND HIRAM —The somewhat detailed description which we have had in 1 Kings 4:1-34 . of Solomon's pomp and power and wisdom, is followed in 1 Kings 5:1-18 . sqq. by an account of what, in Jewish eyes, was the great undertaking of his reign, and, indeed, the great glory of Hebrew history—the erection and adornment of the Temple. And as this was largely due to the assistance he received both in the shape of materials and labourers—from the Tyrian king, we have... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 5:1

Hiram, king of Tyre - Menander of Ephesus, who wrote a history of Tyre in Greek, founded upon native Tyrian documents, about 300 B.C., mentioned this Hiram as the son of Abibaal king of Tyre, and said that he ascended the throne when he was nineteen; that he reigned thirty-four years, and, dying at the age of fifty-three, was succeeded by his son Baleazar. Menander spoke at some length of the dealings of Hiram with Solomon.Sent his servants - This appears to have been an embassy of... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 5:1

1 Kings 5:1. Hiram sent his servants unto Solomon Namely, as soon as he heard of his succession in the throne, as the following words show, he sent to congratulate him, as the manner of princes is. For Hiram was ever a lover of David And therefore was desirous to continue in friendship with his son. This Hiram was probably the son of him who sent David timber and artificers to build his palace. Josephus assures us, that in his time, the letters which passed between him and Solomon were... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 5:1-18

5:1-9:25 SOLOMON’S BUILDING PROGRAMWhen David had expressed a desire to build a permanent house for God, he was told that God was more concerned with building a permanent ‘house’ for David, namely, a dynasty. As for a symbolic dwelling place for God, God had already shown his ideal for Israel in the tabernacle. Nevertheless, he would allow Israel to have a temple, though it would be built not by David, but by David’s son Solomon (see notes on 2 Samuel 7:1-17).Despite God’s emphasis on the need... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Kings 5:1

Hiram. Born of a Jewish mother (1 Kings 7:14 . 2 Chronicles 2:14 ). lover = ally, Hebrews always at amity with the Phoenicians. Never with Canaanites. read more

James Burton Coffman

Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Kings 5:1

PREPARATIONS FOR BUILDING THE TEMPLE"And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David. And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying, Thou knowest how that David my father could not build a house for the name of Jehovah his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until Jehovah put them under the soles of his feet. But now Jehovah my God hath given me rest on every side; there... read more

Thomas Coke

Thomas Coke Commentary on the Holy Bible - 1 Kings 5:1

1 Kings 5:1. Hiram king of Tyre— It was at the beginning of Solomon's reign that Hiram sent ambassadors, to condole with Solomon upon the death of his father, and to renew the league of friendship which he had with him. Josephus assures us, that in his time the letters which passed between Hiram and Solomon were preserved in the Archives of Tyre. This Hiram appears to have been the son of him who sent David timber and artificers to build his palace. Note; (1.) When we are at rest from outward... read more

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