Matthew Henry on 1 Kings 5:1-9
We have here an account of the amicable correspondence between Solomon and Hiram. Tyre was a famous trading city, that lay close upon the sea, in the border of Israel; its inhabitants (as should seem) were none of the devoted nations, nor ever at enmity with Israel, and therefore David never offered to destroy them, but lived in friendship with them. It is here said of Hiram their king that he was ever a lover of David; and we have reason to think he was a worshipper of the true God, and had himself renounced, though he could not reform, the idolatry of his city. David's character will win the affections even of those that are without. Here is,
I. Hiram's embassy of compliment to Solomon, Kg…
Read the whole note in the consoleJamieson-Fausset-Brown on 1 Kings 5:8
Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things . . . and I will do--The contract was drawn out formally in a written document (Ch2 2:11), which, according to JOSEPHUS, was preserved both in the Jewish and Tyrian records.
Adam Clarke on 1 Kings 5:9
Shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea - As the river Adonis was in the vicinity of the forest of Lebanon, and emptied itself into the Mediterranean sea, near Biblos, Hiram could transport the timber all squared, and not only cut to scantling, but cut so as to occupy the place it was intended for in the building, without any farther need of axe or saw. It might be readily sent down the coast on rafts and landed at Joppa, or Jamnia, just opposite to Jerusalem, at the distance of about twenty-five miles. See Ch2 2:16. The carriage could not be great, as the timber was all fitted for the building where it was hewn down. The materials had only to be put together when they arrived at Jer…
Read the whole note in the consoleJohn Gill on 1 Kings 5:9
My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea,.... The Mediterranean sea, on which Tyre stood:
and I will convey them by sea in floats; which were either a sort of carriage for the timber the Tyrians and Sidonians had, being furnished with various navigable vessels; or these were the timber itself, and the planks of it, which being fastened together, were set afloat under the direction of some boats with oars, of which they had plenty:
unto the place that thou shalt appoint me; which was Joppa, as appears from 2 Chronicles 2:16; belonging to the land of Israel, in the same sea:
and will cause them to be discharged there; either to be unloaded from the vessels, or to be unloo…
