1 Kings 5:1
New International Version
When Hiram king of Tyre heard that Solomon had been anointed king to succeed his father David, he sent his envoys to Solomon, because he had always been on friendly terms with David.

New Living Translation
King Hiram of Tyre had always been a loyal friend of David. When Hiram learned that David’s son Solomon was the new king of Israel, he sent ambassadors to congratulate him.

English Standard Version
Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram always loved David.

Berean Standard Bible
Now when Hiram king of Tyre heard that Solomon had been anointed king in his father’s place, he sent envoys to Solomon; for Hiram had always been a friend of David.

King James Bible
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.

New King James Version
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.

New American Standard Bible
Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram had always been a friend of David.

NASB 1995
Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon, when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram had always been a friend of David.

NASB 1977
Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon, when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram had always been a friend of David.

Legacy Standard Bible
Then Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon, when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram had always been one who loved David.

Amplified Bible
Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram had always been a friend of David.

Christian Standard Bible
King Hiram of Tyre sent his emissaries to Solomon when he heard that he had been anointed king in his father’s place, for Hiram had always been friends with David.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon when he heard that he had been anointed king in his father’s place, for Hiram had always been friends with David.

American Standard Version
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.

Contemporary English Version
King Hiram of Tyre had always been friends with Solomon's father David. When Hiram learned that Solomon was king, he sent some of his officials to meet with Solomon.

English Revised Version
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.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
King Hiram of Tyre sent his officials to Solomon when he heard that Solomon had been anointed king to succeed his father. Hiram had always been David's friend.

Good News Translation
King Hiram of Tyre had always been a friend of David's, and when he heard that Solomon had succeeded his father David as king, he sent ambassadors to him.

International Standard Version
King Hiram of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon when he learned that Solomon had been anointed king to replace his father, because Hiram had been David's lifelong friend.

Majority Standard Bible
Now when Hiram king of Tyre heard that Solomon had been anointed king in his father?s place, he sent envoys to Solomon; for Hiram had always been a friend of David.

NET Bible
King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to Solomon when he heard that he had been anointed king in his father's place. (Hiram had always been an ally of David.)

New Heart English Bible
Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the place of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to 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.

World English Bible
Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon, for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the place of his father, and Hiram had always loved David.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Hiram king of Tyre sends his servants to Solomon, for he heard that they had anointed him for king instead of his father, for Hiram was loving toward David all the days;

Young's Literal Translation
And Hiram king of Tyre sendeth his servants unto Solomon, for he heard that they had anointed him for king instead of his father, for Hiram was a lover of David all the days;

Smith's Literal Translation
And Hiram king of Tyre will send his servants to Solomon for he heard that they anointed him for king instead of his father: for Hiram was loving to David all the days.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon: for he heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram had always been David's friend.

Catholic Public Domain Version
Hiram, the king of Tyre, also sent his servants to Solomon. For he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father. Now Hiram had been a friend to David the entire time.

New American Bible
When Hiram, king of Tyre, heard that Solomon had been anointed king in place of his father, he sent an embassy to him; for Hiram had always been David’s friend.

New Revised Standard Version
Now King Hiram of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon, when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father; for Hiram had always been a friend to David.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
AND Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father; for Hiram was always a lover of David.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Khiram King of Tsur sent his Servants to Solomon, because he heard that they anointed him to reign in the place of his father, because Khiram had loved David all of their days.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
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.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
And Chiram king of Tyre sent his servants to anoint Solomon in the room of David his father, because Chiram always loved David.

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Materials for the Temple
1Now when Hiram king of Tyre heard that Solomon had been anointed king in his father’s place, he sent envoys to Solomon; for Hiram had always been a friend of David. 2And Solomon relayed this message to Hiram:…

Cross References
2 Samuel 5:11
Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David.

1 Chronicles 14:1
Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons, and carpenters, to build a palace for him.

2 Chronicles 2:3
Then Solomon sent word to Hiram king of Tyre: “Do for me as you did for my father David when you sent him cedars to build himself a house to live in.

2 Chronicles 2:11-12
Then Hiram king of Tyre wrote a letter in reply to Solomon: “Because the LORD loves His people, He has set you over them as king.” / And Hiram added: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who made the heavens and the earth! He has given King David a wise son with insight and understanding, who will build a temple for the LORD and a royal palace for himself.

1 Kings 9:11-14
King Solomon gave twenty towns in the land of Galilee to Hiram king of Tyre, who had supplied him with cedar and cypress logs and gold for his every desire. / So Hiram went out from Tyre to inspect the towns that Solomon had given him, but he was not pleased with them. / “What are these towns you have given me, my brother?” asked Hiram, and he called them the Land of Cabul, as they are called to this day. ...

1 Kings 10:11-12
(The fleet of Hiram that brought gold from Ophir also brought from Ophir a great cargo of almug wood and precious stones. / The king made the almug wood into steps for the house of the LORD and for the king’s palace, and into lyres and harps for the singers. Never before had such almug wood been brought in, nor has such been seen again to this day.)

1 Kings 10:22
For the king had the ships of Tarshish at sea with Hiram’s fleet, and once every three years the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.

2 Samuel 7:2
he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”

1 Kings 4:34
So men of all nations came to listen to Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.

1 Kings 9:27
And Hiram sent his servants, sailors who knew the sea, to serve in the fleet with Solomon’s servants.

1 Kings 10:29
A chariot could be imported from Egypt for six hundred shekels of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty. Likewise, they exported them to all the kings of the Hittites and to the kings of Aram.

1 Kings 10:1-2
Now when the queen of Sheba heard about the fame of Solomon concerning the name of the LORD, she came to test him with difficult questions. / She arrived in Jerusalem with a very large caravan—with camels bearing spices, gold in great abundance, and precious stones. And she came to Solomon and spoke to him all that was on her mind.

1 Kings 10:23-25
So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. / The whole world sought an audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom that God had put in his heart. / Year after year, each visitor would bring his tribute: articles of silver and gold, clothing, weapons, spices, horses, and mules.

1 Kings 10:28
Solomon’s horses were imported from Egypt and Kue; the royal merchants purchased them from Kue.

1 Kings 11:1
King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women.


Treasury of Scripture

And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to 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.

A.

1 Kings 5:10,13
So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire…

1 Kings 9:12-14
And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him; and they pleased him not…

2 Chronicles 2:3
And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, As thou didst deal with David my father, and didst send him cedars to build him an house to dwell therein, even so deal with me.

Huram

2 Samuel 8:10
Then Toi sent Joram his son unto king David, to salute him, and to bless him, because he had fought against Hadadezer, and smitten him: for Hadadezer had wars with Toi. And Joram brought with him vessels of silver, and vessels of gold, and vessels of brass:

2 Samuel 10:1,2
And it came to pass after this, that the king of the children of Ammon died, and Hanun his son reigned in his stead…

Psalm 45:12
And the daughter of Tyre shall be there with a gift; even the rich among the people shall intreat thy favour.

for Hiram

2 Samuel 5:11
And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.

1 Chronicles 14:1
Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house.

Amos 1:9
Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Tyrus, and for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant:

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1 Kings 5
1. Hiram, sending to congratulate Solomon, is desired to furnish him with timber
7. Hiram, blessing God for Solomon, furnishes him with trees.
13. The number of Solomon's workmen and laborers














Now when Hiram king of Tyre
Hiram, the king of Tyre, is a significant figure in the narrative of Solomon's reign. Tyre was a prominent Phoenician city known for its wealth and skilled artisans. Historically, Tyre was a major center of trade and commerce, and its relationship with Israel was mutually beneficial. The mention of Hiram highlights the international alliances that Solomon would continue to foster, following in the footsteps of his father, David. The Hebrew root for "Hiram" (חִירָם) can be associated with the meaning "my brother is exalted," which may reflect the high regard in which he was held.

heard that Solomon had been anointed king
The anointing of Solomon as king is a pivotal moment in Israel's history. Anointing, in the Hebrew tradition, signifies being set apart for a divine purpose. The Hebrew word for "anointed" (מָשַׁח, mashach) is the same root from which "Messiah" is derived, indicating a special consecration by God. Solomon's anointing was not just a political act but a spiritual one, affirming God's choice and blessing upon him to lead Israel. This act would have been known throughout the region, signaling a new era of leadership.

to succeed his father David
David, Solomon's father, was a revered king, known for uniting the tribes of Israel and establishing Jerusalem as the political and spiritual center. The phrase "to succeed his father David" underscores the continuity of the Davidic dynasty, which was central to God's covenant with Israel. This succession was not merely hereditary but was seen as the fulfillment of God's promise to David that his lineage would endure. Solomon's reign was expected to build upon the foundation laid by David, both in terms of governance and spiritual leadership.

he sent envoys to Solomon
The sending of envoys by Hiram signifies diplomatic relations and the importance of maintaining alliances. In the ancient Near East, such gestures were crucial for peace and prosperity. Envoys were often bearers of gifts and messages, facilitating communication between nations. This act by Hiram indicates his recognition of Solomon's legitimacy and his desire to continue the friendly relations established with David. It reflects the wisdom in diplomacy and the value of maintaining strong, peaceful ties with neighboring nations.

because Hiram had always been a friend of David
The friendship between Hiram and David is a testament to the personal and political alliances that can transcend generations. The Hebrew word for "friend" (אָהֵב, ahav) conveys a deep sense of love and loyalty. This enduring friendship suggests a bond that went beyond mere political convenience, rooted in mutual respect and shared interests. Hiram's continued support for Solomon is a reflection of the strength of this relationship, emphasizing the importance of loyalty and faithfulness in both personal and political spheres.

(1) Hiram is first mentioned in 2Samuel 5:11 (and the parallel, 1Chronicles 14:1) as having sent workmen and materials to David for the building of his house. He is described as a "lover of David." Ancient tradition makes him a tributary or dependent monarch; and his attitude, as described in Scripture, towards both David and Solomon agrees with this. Josephus (100 Apion, i. 17, ? 18) cites from Dios, a Ph?nician historian, and Menander of Ephesus, a description of Hiram's parentage, of his prosperous reign and skill in building; and quotes, as from the Tyrian archives (Ant. viii. 11, ?? 6, 7), letters passing between him and Solomon. The embassy here noticed from Hiram is clearly one of congratulation, perhaps of renewal of fealty. (In 2Chronicles 2:14-15 occur the phrases, "my lord, my lord David thy father.")

Verse 1. - And Hiram (In vers. 10, 18, the name is spelled Hirom (חִירום), whilst in Chronicles, with one exception (1 Chronicles 14:1, where the Keri, however, follows the prevailing usage), the name appears as Huram (חוּרָם). In Josephus it is Αἰρωμος. This prince and his friendly relations with the Jews are referred to by the Tyrian historians, of whose materials the Greek writers Dins and Menander of Ephesus (temp. Alexander the Great) availed themselves. According to Dins (quoted by Josephus contr. Apion, 1:17) Hiram was the son of Abibaal. Menander states that the building of the temple was commenced in the twelfth year of Hiram's reign, which lasted 34 years (Jos. Ant. 8:03.1; Contr. Ap. 1:18). Hiram is further said to have married his daughter to Solomon and to have engaged with him in an intellectual encounter which took the shape of riddles] king of Tyre [Heb. צור, rock, so called because of the rocky island on which old Tyro was built, sometimes called מִבְצַר לֺצר, the fortress of, or fortified Tyro (Joshua 19:29; 2 Samuel 24:7, etc.) The capital of Phoenicia. In earlier times, Sidon would seem to have been the more important town; hence the Canaanites who inhabited this region were generally called Zidonians, as in ver. 6] sent his servants [legatos, Vatablus] unto Solomon [The Vat. LXX. has here a strange reading, "To anoint Solomon," etc. The object of this embassy was evidently to recognize and congratulate the youthful king (the Syriac has a gloss, "and he blessed him," which well represents one object of the embassy) and at the same time to make overtures of friendship. An alliance, or good understanding, with Israel was then, as at a later period (Acts 12:20) of great importance to them of Tyre and Sidon. Their narrow strip of seaboard furnished no corn lands, so that their country depended upon Israel for its nourishment]; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of David his father [i.e., he had heard of the death of David and the accession of Solomon; possibly of the events narrated in chap. 1.]: for Hiram was ever [Heb. all the days: i.e., of their reigns; so long as they were contemporary sovereigns] a lover of David.

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
Now when Hiram
חִירָ֨ם (ḥî·rām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2438: Hiram -- a Benjamite, also two Arameans (Syrians)

king
מֶֽלֶךְ־ (me·leḵ-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 4428: A king

of Tyre
צ֤וֹר (ṣō·wr)
Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6865: Tyre -- a Phoenician city

heard
שָׁמַ֔ע (šā·ma‘)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 8085: To hear intelligently

that
כִּ֥י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

[Solomon] had been anointed
מָשְׁח֥וּ (mā·šə·ḥū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 4886: To rub with oil, to anoint, to consecrate, to paint

king
לְמֶ֖לֶךְ (lə·me·leḵ)
Preposition-l | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

in his father’s
אָבִ֑יהוּ (’ā·ḇî·hū)
Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 1: Father

place,
תַּ֣חַת (ta·ḥaṯ)
Preposition
Strong's 8478: The bottom, below, in lieu of

he sent
וַ֠יִּשְׁלַח (way·yiš·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

envoys
עֲבָדָיו֙ (‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

to
אֶל־ (’el-)
Preposition
Strong's 413: Near, with, among, to

Solomon;
שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה (šə·lō·mōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8010: Solomon -- David's son and successor to his throne

for
כִּ֣י (kî)
Conjunction
Strong's 3588: A relative conjunction

Hiram
חִירָ֛ם (ḥî·rām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2438: Hiram -- a Benjamite, also two Arameans (Syrians)

had always
כָּל־ (kāl-)
Noun - masculine singular construct
Strong's 3605: The whole, all, any, every

been
הָיָ֥ה (hā·yāh)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961: To fall out, come to pass, become, be

friends
אֹהֵ֗ב (’ō·hêḇ)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine singular
Strong's 157: To have affection f

with David.
לְדָוִ֖ד (lə·ḏā·wiḏ)
Preposition-l | Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 1732: David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse


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OT History: 1 Kings 5:1 Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 4:34
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