Contracting To Build The Temple

David had earned the respect of the Phoenician king, Hiram of Tyre by his defeats of the various Syrian groups.  Since they were a sea going nation and built many ships, the Phoenicians had highly developed building skills, and David had employed them to build his house.   Hoping to maintain the friendly and profitable relationship, Hiram sent envoys to Solomon when he became king, as I Kings 5:1 tells us.  “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.”

David had long wanted to build a temple, but had been prevented by the constant invasions by other countries.  David had defeated and subjugated those countries, leaving Solomon free to build the Temple.  He reminded Hiram of David’s desire and requested that Hiram supply the materials and expertise to build it, in I Kings 5:2-6.  “And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying, Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.  

But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.  And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.  Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians.”

Hiram was excited by Solomons offer and readily agreed to do the work in exchange for a large supply of food for the nation, in I Kings 5:7-12.  “And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people.

And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir.  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.

 So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire.  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.  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.”

With a firm treaty and trade agreement between the two nations, Solomon drafted men to supply the necessary labor for cutting the timber in Lebanon, as well as laborere to produce and transport the other materials, in I Kings 5:13-18.  “And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.  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. And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains; 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.

And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house. And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.” 

Every piece was carefully engineered and prefabbed by master builders before being delivered to the construction site, as I Kings 6:7 tells us.  “And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor ax nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.”  With no power tools or machinery, it was a huge undertaking, since every piece had to be hand cut.