So Hiram supplied Solomon with all the timber of cedar and cypress that he desired,
English Standard Version (ESV)
It's easy to read this as a simple transaction, but the verse highlights God's provision through human relationships. Solomon's desire for this valuable timber was met not by his own power, but by a partnership with Hiram, a foreign king, demonstrating God working behind the scenes to bless His people.
So Hiram supplied Solomon with all the timber of cedar and cypress that he desired,
English Standard Version (ESV)
Solomon has just become king and is eager to build a magnificent temple for God. He sends a message to Hiram, the king of Tyre, who had a long-standing alliance with David. Hiram agrees to supply Solomon with skilled workers and the necessary lumber, laying the groundwork for the ambitious construction project.
Solomon’s great temple wasn’t just a human project. It was designed by God, for God. This means every detail, down to the materials, had a divine purpose.
A Project Commissioned by God
When we read about Solomon building the temple, it's easy to focus on the king and his builders. But remember, the idea and the plan for this magnificent structure came directly from God. David received the details from the Lord (1 Chronicles 28:19), and he passed them to Solomon. This wasn't just about creating a beautiful building; it was about establishing a dwelling place for God's presence among His people.
God's Intent for His Dwelling
The materials themselves, like the cedar and cypress mentioned, were chosen for their durability, beauty, and symbolic value. Cedar, in particular, was known for its resistance to decay and insects, and its pleasant fragrance – all qualities that speak to the purity and permanence of God's holiness and His relationship with us. God didn't just want a structure; He wanted a testament to His glory, built with the best available, reflecting His own perfection.
While Solomon was the king, he wasn't alone in this monumental task. God orchestrated a global partnership, using even pagan kings to fulfill His purposes.
An Unlikely Alliance
It’s fascinating that King Hiram of Tyre, a non-Israelite, plays such a crucial role. He wasn't part of God's chosen people, yet God used him and his kingdom's resources to advance His plan. Hiram supplied not just the timber, but also skilled craftsmen and the expertise needed to work with it. This partnership demonstrates that God's plans are bigger than any one nation or group; He can use anyone and anything to accomplish His will.
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The Flow of Blessing
This wasn't a one-way street. The Bible mentions that Solomon also provided for Hiram's needs (1 Kings 5:11). This exchange highlights a principle: when we participate in God's work, there is often a reciprocal blessing. God doesn't just ask for our resources; He often multiplies them and brings benefit back to us, sometimes in surprising ways and from unexpected sources.
This verse highlights the crucial international alliance and trade relationship between Israel and Tyre, essential for the monumental task of building God's Temple.
c. 1070 BC
Reign of David Begins
David becomes king over Israel, establishing Jerusalem as his capital and setting the stage for a unified kingdom.
c. 1000 BC
David Plans the Temple
King David gathers extensive materials and plans for the construction of a magnificent temple in Jerusalem, though he is forbidden by God to build it himself.
c. 970 BC
Solomon Becomes King
David's son Solomon inherits the throne of a prosperous and stable kingdom, with instructions to build the Temple.
c. 966 BC— this verse
Temple Construction Begins
Solomon begins the massive undertaking of building the Temple in Jerusalem, requiring vast resources, skilled labor, and international cooperation.
c. 966 BC
Hiram's Timber and Skilled Workers Arrive
King Hiram of Tyre, a Phoenician city renowned for its maritime trade and craftsmanship, supplies Solomon with essential cedar and cypress wood, along with skilled artisans, to aid in the Temple's construction.
c. 959 BC
Temple Completed
After seven years of construction, the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem is completed, marking a central place for worship and a symbol of God's presence.
This passage sets the stage by David's desire to build a house for God, a desire that Solomon ultimately fulfills with Hiram's help.
Ezra 3:7This verse shows the continuation of large-scale building projects involving provisions and skilled laborers, mirroring the effort and resources needed for Solomon's temple.
Psalm 127:1This psalm speaks to the futility of human effort apart from God's blessing, reminding us that even the grandest building projects like Solomon's rely on divine favor, not just material resources.
1 Chronicles 22:14Here, David encourages Solomon, highlighting the immense wealth and resources he had gathered for the temple, which would have included materials similar to those provided by Hiram.
It's easy to read this as a simple transaction, but the verse highlights God's provision through human relationships. Solomon's desire for this valuable timber was met not by his own power, but by a partnership with Hiram, a foreign king, demonstrating God working behind the scenes to bless His people.
Solomon has just become king and is eager to build a magnificent temple for God. He sends a message to Hiram, the king of Tyre, who had a long-standing alliance with David. Hiram agrees to supply Solomon with skilled workers and the necessary lumber, laying the groundwork for the ambitious construction project.
Solomon has just become king and is eager to build a magnificent temple for God. He sends a message to Hiram, the king of Tyre, who had a long-standing alliance with David. Hiram agrees to supply Solomon with skilled workers and the necessary lumber, laying the groundwork for the ambitious construction project.
"So Hiram supplied Solomon with all the timber of cedar and cypress that he desired," — It's easy to read this as a simple transaction, but the verse highlights God's provision through human relationships. Solomon's desire for this valuable timber was met not by his own power, but by…
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Last reviewed October 2026