1 Kings 5:18

KJV

And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew [them], and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.

KJV (with Strong's)

And Solomon's {H8010} builders {H1129} and Hiram's {H2438} builders {H1129} did hew {H6458} them, and the stonesquarers {H1382}: so they prepared {H3559} timber {H6086} and stones {H68} to build {H1129} the house {H1004}.

Complete Jewish Bible

Shlomo's and Hiram's builders, along with the men from G'val, worked the stones and prepared the timber and stones for building the house.

Berean Standard Bible

So Solomon’s and Hiram’s builders, along with the Gebalites, quarried the stone and prepared the timber and stone for the construction of the temple.

American Standard Version

And Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders and the Gebalites did fashion them, and prepared the timber and the stones to build the house.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 5:18 offers a precise snapshot of the immense and meticulous preparation undertaken for the construction of Solomon's Temple, highlighting the collaborative efforts of skilled laborers from both Israel and Phoenicia. This verse underscores the critical importance of specialized craftsmanship and thorough foundational work, revealing the scale and precision required for a project of such divine significance. It is a testament to the diligent, behind-the-scenes labor that preceded the actual raising of the magnificent edifice.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within the broader narrative of King Solomon's early reign, specifically detailing the fulfillment of his father David's desire to build a permanent dwelling place for the Lord. Preceding verses (1 Kings 5:1-12) establish the crucial alliance between Solomon and Hiram, King of Tyre, outlining the agreement for timber and skilled labor. Solomon's vast conscription of Israelite laborers (1 Kings 5:13-17) sets the stage, but 1 Kings 5:18 specifically focuses on the elite, specialized craftsmen—both Israelite and Phoenician—who were responsible for preparing the raw materials. It transitions from the general workforce to the highly skilled artisans, emphasizing the precision required for the Temple's construction, ensuring that the materials were ready before they even reached the building site.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The construction of the Temple was the most ambitious building project in ancient Israelite history, requiring resources and expertise beyond what Israel alone possessed. Phoenicia, particularly the city of Tyre, was renowned throughout the ancient Near East for its advanced maritime technology, cedar trade, and unparalleled stone masonry. Hiram's involvement, as detailed in [1 Kings 5](/1_kings/5 "1 Kings 5 - Solomon's Alliance with Hiram"), was not merely a political alliance but a strategic partnership that brought essential materials and, critically, skilled artisans like the "stonesquarers" (often identified with the Giblites from Gebal/Byblos) whose expertise in quarrying, cutting, and shaping massive stones was unmatched. This collaboration reflects the economic and cultural interdependencies of the region, where specialized skills were traded and shared among kingdoms.
* **Key Themes:** 1 Kings 5:18 powerfully illustrates several key themes central to the narrative of the Temple's construction and Solomon's reign. Firstly, it highlights **International Cooperation and Alliance**, demonstrating how the divinely ordained project transcended national boundaries, bringing together diverse peoples and skills for a common purpose. Secondly, it emphasizes **Meticulous Preparation and Excellence**, showcasing the profound dedication to quality and precision that characterized the building of God's house. This echoes the divine instructions for the Tabernacle in [Exodus 25](/exodus/25 "Exodus 25 - Instructions for the Tabernacle"), where every detail was specified. Thirdly, the verse underscores the value of **Skilled Craftsmanship and Specialized Labor**, recognizing that the grandeur of the Temple was a direct result of highly trained artisans. Finally, though not explicitly stated, the verse implicitly points to the **Divine Purpose** behind this monumental effort, fulfilling the promise made to David that his son would build a house for the Lord's name, as recorded in [2 Samuel 7:13](/2_samuel/7-13 "2 Samuel 7:13 - God's Promise to David").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Hew (Hebrew, _ḥāṣav'_):** This verb describes the laborious process of quarrying and cutting stone. It implies a forceful, often violent, action to extract raw material from the earth and then shape it. In the context of 1 Kings 5:18, it speaks to the initial, strenuous work of transforming rough rock into usable blocks, emphasizing the physical demands and the precision required even at this foundational stage.
* **Stonesquarers (Hebrew, _giblim'_):** This term refers to the inhabitants of Gebal (modern Byblos), a Phoenician city renowned for its highly skilled stone masons and shipbuilders. Their inclusion highlights the specialized, unparalleled expertise brought to the Temple project. These were not mere laborers but master craftsmen capable of precisely cutting and shaping massive stones to exact specifications, ensuring the structural integrity and aesthetic perfection of the Temple. Their presence signifies the premium placed on quality and the international collaboration involved.
* **Prepared (Hebrew, _hekin'_ from _kun'_):** The verb "prepared" signifies making something ready, establishing it, or setting it in order. In the Hiphil stem, as likely used here, it means "to cause to be ready" or "to make firm." This word emphasizes the foresight and planning involved; the timber and stones were not merely gathered but meticulously processed, shaped, and made fit for immediate assembly at the building site. This preparation was crucial for the efficient and precise construction of the Temple.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew [them],"**: This clause immediately establishes the collaborative nature of the Temple project. It highlights the joint effort between the Israelite workforce under Solomon's command and the Phoenician experts provided by King Hiram. The verb "hew" indicates the initial, rigorous work of quarrying and rough-cutting the raw timber and stone, a foundational step that required immense strength and basic shaping skills.
* **"and the stonesquarers:"**: This phrase introduces a specific, highly skilled group of artisans. The "stonesquarers," or Giblites, were master masons from Gebal (Byblos), a Phoenician city famous for its stone work. Their inclusion signifies a level of precision and craftsmanship beyond general hewing. They were responsible for the fine shaping, squaring, and finishing of the stones, ensuring that each block was perfectly fitted for its place in the Temple structure before it was transported to Jerusalem. This detail underscores the meticulous quality control and specialized labor involved.
* **"so they prepared timber and stones to build the house."**: This concluding clause summarizes the purpose and outcome of all the preceding labor. The "hewers" and "stonesquarers" worked in concert to "prepare" (make ready, establish) the raw materials. This preparation was not just about cutting, but about ensuring the timber and stones were precisely shaped and dimensioned off-site, so they could be assembled seamlessly at the Temple mount. The ultimate goal, "to build the house," refers to the sacred dwelling place for the Lord, emphasizing the divine purpose underlying all this human effort and precision.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Emphasis** through repetition and specific naming. The double mention of "builders" (Solomon's and Hiram's) immediately highlights the collaborative, international scope of the project. The specific inclusion of "stonesquarers" (the Giblites) serves as a **Synecdoche** or **Metonymy**, where a part (these specialized craftsmen) stands for the whole (the unparalleled Phoenician expertise in masonry). This specific detail elevates the description from general labor to highly specialized, expert craftsmanship, underscoring the extraordinary quality and precision demanded for the Temple. The meticulous description of preparation also serves as **Foreshadowing**, hinting at the grandeur and divine significance of the structure that will eventually rise from these perfectly prepared materials.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 5:18, while seemingly a logistical detail, carries significant theological weight. It illustrates the principle that God's work, even when executed by human hands, demands excellence, meticulous preparation, and the collaborative use of diverse gifts. Just as the Tabernacle was built with precise divine instructions, so too was the Temple, symbolizing God's desire for order, beauty, and perfection in His dwelling place. This verse reminds us that the "unseen" work of preparation is as vital as the visible construction, laying a solid foundation for what is to come. It also foreshadows the spiritual Temple, built not with physical stones but with living ones, where every part is precisely fitted by the Master Builder.

* [Exodus 25:8-9](/exodus/25-8 "Exodus 25:8-9 - God's Command to Build the Tabernacle")
* [1 Chronicles 22:2-5](/1_chronicles/22-2 "1 Chronicles 22:2-5 - David's Preparations for the Temple")
* [Hebrews 3:3-4](/hebrews/3-3 "Hebrews 3:3-4 - Christ as the Builder")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The meticulous preparation for Solomon's Temple, as detailed in 1 Kings 5:18, offers profound lessons for our lives today, both individually and communally. It reminds us that endeavors of lasting value, especially those for God's glory, require more than just good intentions; they demand diligent planning, skilled execution, and often, humble collaboration. Just as the stones were precisely cut and shaped off-site, much of our spiritual growth and character formation happens in "hidden" seasons of preparation—through study, prayer, discipline, and refining trials—before we are "fitted" for God's visible work. This verse challenges us to embrace the often-unseen work of preparation, to value excellence in all we do, and to recognize that God often uses diverse gifts and people to accomplish His grand purposes. It encourages us to be "stonesquarers" in our own spheres, committed to precision and quality, knowing that even the smallest, most foundational efforts contribute to a greater, divinely-ordained structure.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "unseen" preparations are currently shaping you for future service or ministry?**
* **In what areas of your life or ministry do you need to embrace more meticulous preparation and less hurried action?**
* **How can you better value and integrate the diverse gifts and skills of others in your community or church, mirroring the collaboration between Solomon's and Hiram's builders?**
* **What does the commitment to excellence in building God's physical house teach us about our approach to building His spiritual house today?**

### FAQ
**Who were the "stonesquarers" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The "stonesquarers" (Hebrew: *giblim*) were highly skilled masons from Gebal, a Phoenician city also known as Byblos (modern Jbeil, Lebanon). This city was renowned throughout the ancient Near East for its expertise in quarrying, cutting, and shaping large stones with remarkable precision. Their involvement in the Temple project, alongside Solomon's Israelite builders and Hiram's other Phoenician craftsmen, highlights the international collaboration and the premium placed on specialized skills for this monumental undertaking. Their ability to precisely square and finish the stones off-site ensured that the building blocks for the Temple were perfectly fitted upon arrival in Jerusalem, contributing to the structure's integrity and beauty.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Kings 5:18, with its emphasis on meticulous preparation and skilled craftsmanship for God's dwelling, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Jesus Christ and the spiritual house He builds. The physical Temple, built with perfectly hewn stones and timber, served as a type and shadow of a greater reality. Jesus Himself is the ultimate [cornerstone](/ephesians/2-20 "Ephesians 2:20 - Christ as the Cornerstone"), the foundational piece upon which God's true spiritual Temple is built. As the Son, Christ is superior to any human builder, for He is the one who truly [built the house of God](/hebrews/3-3 "Hebrews 3:3 - Christ as the Builder of God's House"). Moreover, believers are described as [living stones](/1_peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Believers as Living Stones"), being built together into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, through Christ. Just as the ancient stones were prepared off-site, so too are believers, through the work of the Holy Spirit, being shaped and refined to fit perfectly into God's eternal dwelling. The Temple's purpose was to house God's presence, and in the New Covenant, God's presence dwells not in a building made with hands, but within the community of believers, the [body of Christ](/1_corinthians/12-27 "1 Corinthians 12:27 - The Body of Christ"), making us the true Temple of the Holy Spirit, as foreshadowed by Jesus' own words about [destroying and raising the temple in three days](/john/2-19 "John 2:19 - Jesus on the Temple of His Body").

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

Joshua 13:5

And the land of the Giblites, and all Lebanon, toward the sunrising, from Baalgad under mount Hermon unto the entering into Hamath.

Ezekiel 27:9

The ancients of Gebal and the wise [men] thereof were in thee thy calkers: all the ships of the sea with their mariners were in thee to occupy thy merchandise.

Psalms 83:7

Gebal, and Ammon, and Amalek; the Philistines with the inhabitants of Tyre;