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Observations from today’s readings and today’s S-WOD, Friday, 12 September 2025:
1 Kings 5:1-3 — 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. And Solomon sent word to Hiram, “You know that David my father could not build a house for the name of the LORD his God because of the warfare with which his enemies surrounded him, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet. But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune.”
David’s and later Solomon’s relationship with Hiram, as with Solomon’s relationship with Egypt, seemed wise according to the world’s wisdom and brought initial prosperity to Israel, but this union with the ungodly further sowed the seeds of compromise and destruction in Israel. Tyre was an opulent kingdom built on the backs of slaves whose idolatrous religious practices eventually crept into Israel; in fact, Solomon, through Hiram, hiresd the same craftsmen who crafted pagan idols to work on the Temple of God. In some way, you could compare Solomon’s relationship with Tyre with America’s relationship with China and other nations who have great wealth, resources, and cheap labor but also terrible ethics.
“David my father could not build a house for the name of the LORD his God because of the warfare with which his enemies surrounded him…. But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune.” Peace is the context in which God’s house can be built, just as Christ, the Prince of Peace, builds His Church through reconciliation.
1 Kings 5:4-5 — “And so I intend to build a house for the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD said to David my father, ‘Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.’”
Solomon understood his calling as the fulfillment of God’s promise to David. He saw peace not as an end in itself, but as an opportunity to glorify God by building the temple. Rest from enemies should never lead to self-indulgence but to service and worship. For us, times of peace should be spent building God’s kingdom, not wasting comfort on worldly pursuits.
1 Kings 5:6-9 — “Now therefore command that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. And my servants will join your servants, and I will pay you for your servants such wages as you set. … My servants shall bring it down to the sea from Lebanon, and I will make it into rafts to go by sea to the place you direct. And I will have them broken up there, and you shall receive it. And you shall meet my wishes by providing food for my household.”
Solomon sought out the best materials for God’s house. The cedars of Lebanon were renowned for their quality and strength. He also arranged fair wages for labor and provision for Hiram’s household, showing wisdom in diplomacy and generosity in partnership. God’s work deserves our best, not leftovers, but the finest of our resources, time, and effort.
1 Kings 5:10-12 — So Hiram supplied Solomon with all the timber of cedar and cypress that he desired, while Solomon gave Hiram 20,000 cors of wheat as food for his household, and 20,000 cors of beaten oil. Solomon gave this to Hiram year by year. And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him. And there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.
The partnership between Solomon and Hiram was marked by fairness, peace, and mutual blessing, at least at this point. Their treaty highlights how God’s wisdom fosters harmony even between nations. When God’s people walk in wisdom, they can be a source of blessing and peace to others. However, wait for the rest of the story to unfold as we continue to read. As cordial and cooperative as we might be with the ungodly, if their path isn’t Christ, while ours is, division is inevitable. There is no real unity apart from Christ.
1 Kings 5:13-16 — King Solomon drafted forced labor out of all Israel, and the draft numbered 30,000 men. … Besides Solomon’s 3,300 chief officers who were over the work, who had charge of the people who carried on the work.
Though the temple was for the glory of God, Solomon conscripted labor from his people. This hints at the heavy burdens that would later cause division in Israel (1 Kings 12:4). Even good works, if pursued without regard for justice and compassion, can sow seeds of future trouble. We must be careful not to advance “God’s work” in ways that contradict His heart for mercy and justice.
According to 1 Kings 9:22, Solomon did not make forced laborers of the children of Israel in his building campaigns. However, 1 Kings 5:13 says Solomon raised up a labor force out of all Israel. Which one of these reports is correct? Both reports are correct. The reconciliation of these statements is found in the fact that there are different Hebrew words used of two different types of laborers in the building projects of Solomon. According to 1 Kings 5:13 (5:27 in the Hebrew text), Solomon raised up a “labor force” (mas or hammas) from all Israel. In this context, labor force was a group conscripted from the population to participate in the building project. It was apparently composed of both Israelites and non-Israelites. However, in 1 Kings 9:21 the author delineates those people from whom Solomon brought on as “slave labor.” The word used here ismas-obed which indicates forced slave labor. Then, in 9:22 the author points out that Solomon did not employ any Israelites as “slaves” (abed). There is no contradiction here, because, although Solomon did draft young men of Israel to labor in the construction of the temple, a practice which brought him great trouble later in his reign, he did not make any Israelite a slave laborer.
1 Kings 5:17-18 — At the king’s command they quarried out great, costly stones in order to lay the foundation of the house with dressed stones. So Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders and the men of Gebal did the cutting and prepared the timber and the stone to build the house.
The temple began with a strong foundation of great, costly stones. This foreshadows the greater temple of Christ’s Church, built not with cedar or stone but on the foundation of Christ Himself (1 Corinthians 3:11). Just as the temple required careful preparation, so too does the work of God in us — He is shaping us into living stones for His dwelling (1 Peter 2:5).
Solomon’s wisdom included superior planning, organizational, leadership, and management skills along with great attention to detail. The foundation of these abilities is self-leadership, personal planning and organization, self-discipline, and personal attention to detail. You cannot lead great endeavors if you cannot first lead self. Having said that, even the most committed, focused, disciplined and skilled leader will fail if he or she disobeys God — “Unless the LORD builds the house, those who build it labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchman stays awake in vain.” (Psalm 127:1) If a person is truly trying to love and serve the Lord with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength, they will not do it haphazardly, lazily, incompetently, or inconsistency, and the results truly will be “fit for a King.”
“Cross” Fit S-WOD (Spiritual Workout of the Day) – 12 September 2025: Like Solomon, recognize that every season of peace is an opportunity to build for God’s glory. Instead of wasting today on self-indulgence, devote it to strengthening God’s temple — your own life as His dwelling, and the lives of others in the Church. Take one practical action today to build up another believer, whether through encouragement, prayer, or an act of service, contributing to the living temple Christ is building.
Pray: “Lord, You are the builder of Your true temple, and in Christ You are making us living stones in Your house. Teach me to see times of peace not as opportunities for selfish gain, but as sacred moments to serve You and Your people. Help me give my best to You, not leftovers, and to work with wisdom, justice, and love. Shape me into a vessel fit for Your dwelling and use me to strengthen others in the faith. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
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