Bible Commentary

And Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders did hew [them], and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house. 18. and the stonesquarers ] The text of A.V. is due to the Targum, which translates by ‘masons’. But the margin of A. V. suggests that the word is not a common but … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 5:18”

And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, [and] hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house. 17. they brought ] The verb is used most frequently of pulling up tent pegs when removing a tent. And it is hardly found with the mere sense of ‘bringing’ or ‘bearing.’ Therefore in … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 5:17”

Beside the chief of Solomon’s officers which [were] over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in the work. 16. three thousand and three hundred ] This number differs by 300 from that given in the Chronicles. If the total of the census of the strangers there given … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 5:16”

And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bore burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains; 15. threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens ] The Chronicler (2Ch 2:17) points out that these 70,000 were of the strangers that dwelt in the land of Israel. These the king compelled to do the harder and … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 5:15”

And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses: a month they were in Lebanon, [and] two months at home: and Adoniram [was] over the levy. 14. by courses ] The word is that which is used of ‘changes’ of raiment. These men came and went away by ‘turns.’ Adoniram ] See … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 5:14”

And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men. 13 18. Solomon’s levy of forced labourers for the work on Lebanon (2Ch 2:1-2; 2Ch 2:17-18) 13. a levy ] The men selected had to give their labour. Such compulsory service has been a not unusual demand of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 5:13”

And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together. 12. they two made a league ] The friendship was a close one, as may be seen from 1Ki 9:13, where Hiram calls Solomon ‘my brother.’ It is probable that … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 5:12”

And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat [for] food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year. 11. And Solomon gave Hiram ] The supply mentioned by the Chronicler (2Ch 2:10) is more than what is here stated. There the payment is 20,000 measures … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 5:11”

So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees [according to] all his desire. 10. cedar trees and fir trees ] The words are exactly the same as in 1Ki 5:8, so we had better read here ‘timber of cedar &c.’ On ‘fir’ see above. Fuente: The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 10. fir … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 5:10”

My servants shall bring [them] down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt appoint 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. 9. from … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 5:9”