1 Kings 5:9

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 5:9

My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea ,.... The Mediterranean sea, on which Tyre stood: and I will convey them by sea in floats ; which were either a sort of carriage for the timber the Tyrians and Sidonians had, being furnished with various navigable vessels; or these were the timber itself, and the planks of it, which being fastened together, were set afloat under the direction of some boats with oars, of which they had plenty: unto the place that thou shalt... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 5:9

Shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea - As the river Adonis was in the vicinity of the forest of Lebanon, and emptied itself into the Mediterranean sea, near Biblos, Hiram could transport the timber all squared, and not only cut to scantling, but cut so as to occupy the place it was intended for in the building, without any farther need of axe or saw. It might be readily sent down the coast on rafts and landed at Joppa, or Jamnia, just opposite to Jerusalem, at the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 5:7-12

compared with 1 Kings 16:1-34 :81 and 1 Kings 18:4 . Tyre and Israel—a lesson on personal influence. Twice in the history of Israel were its relations with the neighbouring kingdom of Tyre close and intimate. Twice did the Phoenician race exercise an important influence on the Hebrew people. In the days of Solomon the subjects of Hiram furnished men and materials to build a house to the name of the Lord. The Phoenicians were not only idolaters, but they belonged to the accursed races of... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 5:7-12

Lessons from the conduct of a heathen prince. Describe the condition of Type at this period, alluding to its commerce, its religious beliefs, its proximity to the kingdom of Solomon, its monarchical institutions, as opposed to the usual republican government of Phoenician settlements—as exemplified in Carthage, the splendid daughter of Type, founded about 140 years after the building of Solomon's temple. Point out some of the effects of the intercourse between these two states, as... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 5:9

My servants shall bring them [No word in the Hebrew; "Timber of Cedar," etc; must be supplied or understood from the preceding verse] down [It is generally a steep descent from the cedar grove, and indeed all the Lebanon district, to the coast] from Lebanon unto the sea [This must have been a great undertaking. The cedars are ten hours distant from Tripoli, and the road must always have been a bad one. To the writer it appeared to be the most rugged and dangerous road in Palestine. It... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 5:9

See the marginal reference. The timber was first carried westward from the flanks of Lebanon to the nearest part of the coast, where it was collected into floats, or rafts, which were then conveyed southward along the coast to Joppa, now Jaffa, from where the land journey to Jerusalem was not more than about forty miles. A similar course was taken on the building of the second temple Ezra 3:7.Food for my household - The Phoenician cities had very little arable territory of their own, the... read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 5:9

1 Kings 5:9. From Lebanon unto the sea The Mediterranean sea, on which his city stood. I will convey them in floats Or rafts. It is thought the pieces of timber were tied together in the water, as now is usual, and so, by the help of boats or ships, conveyed to the appointed place, which was at no great distance. Unto the place thou shalt appoint me Which was Joppa, a famous seaport in the country of Israel, 2 Chronicles 2:16. Will cause them to be discharged there Hebrew ,... 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 5:9

bring them down. Note the illustration in the conversion of sinners. Cut down from nature's standing; down through the waters of death (Romans 6:11 ), before finding their place in the temple of God (Ephesians 2:20-22 ). Same with the stones. See note on 1 Kings 5:17 . read more

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