Review Of 1Kings 5

– by Victor Fawole

Yesterday, we read about the vastness of Solomon’s wisdom. Today, we read the first of four chapters that record the planning, building, and dedication of the Temple. This chapter explains how the Temple was built with the help of both Jews and gentiles. Having established a stable administration and a prosperous kingdom, Solomon decided to build what David could only dream of.

Join me to review…

PARTNERSHIP & PEACE

1Kgs. 5:1ff Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon, because he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram had always loved David…

The first thing we read in this chapter was that: “Hiram had always loved David.” This was not a casual statement. There was a history behind it. Hiram of Tyre was the Phoenician ruler who supplied cedar wood, craftsmen, and builders for David’s palace (2Sam. 5:11). His love for David did not end in David’s lifetime. It continued into Solomon’s reign. The bond of friendship became a transgenerational alliance.

I love how Solomon personalized God: “The LORD my God.” He must have learnt well from his father, David. He inherited both David’s throne and his theology. He repeatedly personalized God (1Kgs 3:7, 5:5, 8:28, 2Chr. 2:4, 6:19,40). God loves it when we relate with Him in a deeply personal way. 

Solomon enjoyed a season of peace. He started by acknowledging that rest is a gift from God, and not a result of his political prowess or military might. He understood what many rulers miss. Peace is not the result of diplomacy and international relations alone. It is the manifestation of divine favour (Jam. 1:17). Grace gives rest, and rest creates room for fulfillment of destiny.

I also love how Solomon described the rest that he enjoyed: rest on every side. This talks about all-round security. All the countries surrounding Israel were either subdued or chose the path of peace (1Kgs 4:24). Under Solomon, Israel reached her widest territorial control, and the surrounding nations were tributary states rather than threats. This peace he enjoyed was a fulfillment of God’s promise to Moses and Joshua (Exo. 33:14, Deut. 12:10).

It is important to note that whenever God grants peace, it is beyond personal comfort. There is a purpose. Solomon’s peace had a purpose. He wanted to complete God’s Temple without hindrance or distraction. God grants us peace not just to rest from battles, but to build what glorifies Him. And Hiram, a Gentile king recognized God’s hand upon Solomon. “Blessed be the Lord this day, who has given David a wise son…” They entered into a trade agreement. Hiram provided cedar and cypress wood from Lebanon, while Solomon provided food for Hiram’s household.

PLANNING THE PROJECT

1Kgs. 5:13-14 Then King Solomon raised up a labor force out of all Israel; and the labor force was thirty thousand men. And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month in shifts: they were one month in Lebanon and two months at home; Adoniram was in charge of the labor force.

Notice the following:

1. The Mobilization of Labour:

Solomon used his remarkable administrative capacity to mobilize a national workforce for the construction of the Temple and other projects. He organized a massive workforce of 30,000 men, dividing them into three groups of 10,000, and they worked in rotations. With his system of rotation, each group worked only four months per year, and it wasn’t at a stretch. They worked one month and then had two months off. This allowed them to care for their fields and families during the two months off. In addition, 70,000 others transported stone, and 80,000 people carried stones from the mountains. The workers were also supervised to make sure that they were treated fairly. Solomon picked Adoniram as the Minister of Labour to supervise the forced labourers. He had also been put in charge of taxation (1Kgs. 4:6). The other 150,000 gentile labourers had 3,300 gentile supervisors to oversee them. Solomon avoided possible racial sentiments between the Jews and the gentiles. This shows Solomon’s administrative excellence and systematic organization. 

2. The Preparation of Materials:

Solomon used the best materials. The temple foundation was built using large and costly stones. They were carefully cut and prepared before they were brought to Jerusalem. This is what God is presently doing with us. He is preparing us in the quarry of sanctification before placing us in His eternal temple. The Temple project is a picture of the Church. We are the spiritual house that Christ is now building. God supplies wisdom. The Spirit provides the materials (1Cor. 12:4-11). And Christ is the Chief Cornerstone (Eph. 2:20).

Just as Solomon worked in unity with the gentiles to build the Temple, Christ works with both Jews and gentiles in His Church. Both Jews and gentiles worship together as the Church. He calls every believer to do good works for Him (Eph. 2:10, 2Tim. 2:21). No believer has been called to be a spectator. So, we must work together as one body for Jesus (1Cor. 3:9, Rom. 12:5). And in fact, in the Millennial reign, we will all worship Jesus together (Isa. 66:22-23, Eze. 20:12-26). 

God bless you for reading this review.

Thank you for sharing your reflections too.

See you tomorrow, beloveds.

Grace to you, Church!