1 Kings 7:13

¶ And king Solomon sent and fetched Hiram out of Tyre.

And king {H4428} Solomon {H8010} sent {H7971} and fetched {H3947} Hiram {H2438} out of Tyre {H6865}.

King Shlomo sent for Hiram and brought him from Tzor.

Now King Solomon sent to bring Huram from Tyre.

And king Solomon sent and fetched Hiram out of Tyre.

Commentary

1 Kings 7:13 marks a pivotal moment in the construction of King Solomon's Temple and his own royal palace, highlighting the strategic recruitment of specialized talent for these monumental projects.

Context

This verse introduces a crucial figure: Hiram of Tyre, a master craftsman. This Hiram is distinct from King Hiram of Tyre, who supplied timber and laborers. The craftsman Hiram is brought in immediately following the completion of the Temple's main structure, indicating that the focus now shifts to its elaborate interior furnishings and decorative elements. Tyre, a prominent Phoenician city-state, was renowned for its advanced metallurgy, craftsmanship, and maritime trade, making it a natural source for such highly skilled artisans.

Key Themes

  • Divine Provision and Human Skill: God, through Solomon, orchestrates the gathering of the finest available human talent to accomplish His purposes. The Temple's construction was a divine command, but its execution involved human expertise.
  • Solomon's Wisdom and Discernment: Solomon's decision to "send and fetch" Hiram demonstrates his God-given wisdom in recognizing the need for specialized skills and seeking out the best, regardless of national origin, to ensure the Temple's excellence.
  • International Collaboration: The building of God's dwelling place involved significant international cooperation, with resources and labor coming from both Israel and neighboring Phoenicia. This collaboration underscores the universal significance of the Temple.
  • Excellence in Worship: The meticulous attention to detail and the use of the finest materials and craftsmen, like Hiram, underscore the profound desire to build a dwelling truly worthy of God's presence and glory.

Linguistic Insights

The name "Hiram" (Hebrew: חִירָם, Chiram) is a common Phoenician name. The phrase "sent and fetched" (Hebrew: וַיִּשְׁלַח֙ וַיִּקַּח, vayyishlach vayyiqqach) indicates a deliberate and authoritative action by King Solomon to summon this specific individual for his unique abilities. This wasn't a casual hiring but a royal summons for a highly valued expert, particularly for the intricate bronze work and decorative elements described later in the chapter.

Practical Application

This verse offers several timeless lessons:

  • Valuing Expertise: God values skill and talent, and we are called to utilize our gifts, and appreciate those of others, in service to God and humanity.
  • Collaboration for God's Work: Great endeavors, especially in the church or for God's kingdom, often require diverse skills and collaborative efforts from many individuals, each contributing their unique strengths.
  • Striving for Excellence: Our service to God should be marked by excellence, using the best of our abilities and resources, reflecting the magnitude and majesty of the One we serve.
  • God's Orchestration: Even in seemingly logistical details like hiring a craftsman, we can see God's hand at work, orchestrating events and providing resources to fulfill His plans.
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Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 4:11 (3 votes)

    ¶ And Huram made the pots, and the shovels, and the basons. And Huram finished the work that he was to make for king Solomon for the house of God;

  • 2 Chronicles 2:13 (2 votes)

    And now I have sent a cunning man, endued with understanding, of Huram my father's,

  • 2 Chronicles 2:14 (2 votes)

    The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father [was] a man of Tyre, skilful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson; also to grave any manner of graving, and to find out every device which shall be put to him, with thy cunning men, and with the cunning men of my lord David thy father.

  • 1 Kings 7:40 (2 votes)

    And Hiram made the lavers, and the shovels, and the basons. So Hiram made an end of doing all the work that he made king Solomon for the house of the LORD: