The Bible Study Podcast, episode 548.

Today, the Bible Study podcast continues the study of the kings of Israel and Judah

with First Kings 5.

Welcome to the Bible study podcast.

I'm your host, Chris Christensen. We continue on with First Kings. We're with King Solomon now and his preparations for building the temple. When King Hiram 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.

Solomon sent back this message to Hiram.

You know that because of the wars waged against my father David from all sides,

he could not build a temple for the name of the Lord his God,

until the Lord put his enemies under his feet.

But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side, and there is no adversary or disaster. I intend, therefore,

to build a temple for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord told my father David, when he said,

Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place will build the temple for my name.

So give orders that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me.

My men will work with yours, and I will pay for your men whatever wages you set.

You know that we have no one skilled in felling timbers as the Sidians.

When Hiram heard Solomon's message, he was greatly pleased and said,

Praise be to the Lord today, for he has given David a wise son to rule over this great nation.

So Hiram sent word to Solomon.

I have received the message you sent me and will do all you want in providing the cedar

and juniper logs. My men will haul them down from Lebanon to the Mediterranean Sea, and I will float them as

rafts by sea to the place you specify. There I will separate them, and you can take them away. And you are to grant my wish by providing food

for my royal household. In this wake, Hiram kept Solomon supplied with all the cedar and juniper

...