1st Kings 5:1-18 LABOR AND MATERIAL When David was the king of Israel, some leaders of other kingdoms were happy to interact with him realizing he had brought peace and stability to the region by the power of God. One who had done business with David when he built his own house was Hiram king of Tyre. He had a friendly relationship with David. The words "a lover of David" would be in a political sense regarding their international relationships.
David was not the one the Lord wanted to build the temple because he was a man of war, but he could prepare material to be available for Solomon because of his political friendship with Hiram. As we get older in life we begin to realize we are limited in what we can do, but we can prepare the way for those who will follow us by preparing them through teaching, through dealing with matters we know should not be put off any longer, and by using our influence to help them make connections with those with whom we have had good fellowship. That way a successor can be well prepared and well along in the work he will be doing even before he takes responsibility.
Hiram had provided material and workmen for David when he built his house. Now he does the same for Solomon when he builds the temple of the Lord. In Solomon's message to Hiram, he makes the point that David knew "the Lord his God" personally. Then he testified to Hiram that he too knew the Lord when he called Him, "the Lord my God." Jehovah was personal to Solomon as well as David. The faith of the faithful isn't automatically transmitted to the son. There has to be personal dealings with God in those who believe in Him. True faith in God is personal in each person who comes to believe in Him.
The older man, Hiram, was pleased with Solomon and appreciated his wisdom. He even testified to the fact that "the Lord" was real. Whether he was real to Hiram personally is not mentioned. It was not then, nor is it now for political reasons, uncommon for leaders of nations to acknowledge the religious traditions of other nations including the deities they might have in order to maintain peace and gain favor.
Cedar trees from Lebanon are still famous for their quality and the long-lasting wood products that are made from them. The cedars of Lebanon are used by people to illustrate things that are trustworthy, dignified, beautiful and of long duration and value. The sea-going fame of those from Tyre was known all through the years of ancient history. The ships of Tyre travelled the Mediterranean Sea carrying freight and people for centuries. Hiram had his people made rafts of the cedar trees and brought them to Joppa from which Solomon's people would take them to Jerusalem. The cedar and "fir" (probably a kind of juniper) trees were brought to Israel, and 3600 tons of wheat and 120,000 gallons of olive oil were given to Hiram in payment. The treaty between Solomon and Hiram maintained peaceful relations between these countries over which they ruled.
Forced labor claimed a lot of the time of the Israeli men who were levied by Solomon to work in Lebanon gathering material for the temple project. Ten thousand would go for a month and then they would come home for two months. 30,000 men were involved in that part of the work. 70,000 men worked carrying materials and 80,000 were stonecutters in the quarries. The number of people involved in the temple project would have been around 200,000. The practice of forced labor ultimately produced a resentment that brought about civil unrest and a divided kingdom after Solomon died.
Solomon did understand the need of families to have a man to provide for them at home so he set up a rotating schedule to maintain family life. Family life is important no matter how busy we might be in our business. A successful businessman might be an unsuccessful father and husband if he doesn't provide more than money and provisions for his family. No matter how busy we might be, families need the leadership of a father. When we arrange our work schedules, we need to keep that in mind. There can be a negative impact on children when our time away from home is too long.
The high-grade stone cut from the hills and from under the city can still be seen in Jerusalem today. The size of the stones would have made transporting them very difficult and would have required a great number of people to move every one. A large project like building the temple would have required not only great amounts of material and manpower to get the material to the building site, but also a huge labor force to actually build the building. Skilled workers from Lebanon not only cut and hewed timber but also cut stones.
We are not involved in building a physical building when we are laborers in building the church, but many of the same principles apply as we are engaged in bringing material to the building site when we proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, baptize them and teach them to observe "all things whatsoever I have commanded you." "Lively stones" are cut out of "the rock from which we have been hewn" and each made to fit by the teaching, guidance and help we are willing to give in order to see "the vast building rise."
1 Kings 5:17. “And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.” GREAT STONES. They’re still there, these great stones Hewed by hands over 3000 years ago. Each one in their place laid there in silence The noise of the cutting done just so.
When placed for the foundation, Together they made a perfect place For others to be added to ones yet to come: The Master Designer gave each one his space.
These old stones were of highest quality. From them a great building would rise. They were chosen by one who would know They would not weaken when pared down to size.
We are stones too, built on the apostles. Their teaching from God we need to obey. The Lord worked on them for several years; Now we learn from what they learned to say.
In the local gathering there were foundation stones. They were the first to build in this place. Over a century has passed, all of them gone; But what they taught still fills that space.
There are things I’ve done God called me to do. I too have felt the chisel and saw. Others now build on what we once started; “Lord, pierce their ear with Thy heavenly awl.”
“They are always on my heart, Lord. I was young when I first knew them. Now we all are old. But I believe the work of the Master on each of us has made us fit with those around us. When all is said and done, we all say, ‘This is the Lord’s doing, and it is marvelous in our eyes.’ In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.”