TRV
Translation
King James Version
And Hiram sent in the navy his servants, shipmen that had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon.
Complete Jewish Bible
Hiram sent some of his own servants, experienced sailors who understood the sea, to serve with Shlomo's servants.
Berean Standard Bible
And Hiram sent his servants, men who knew the sea, to serve in the fleet with Solomon’s servants.
American Standard Version
And Hiram sent in the navy his servants, shipmen that had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon.
World English Bible Messianic
Hiram sent in the navy his servants, sailors who had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And Hiram sent with the nauie his seruats, that were mariners, and had knowledge of the sea, with the seruants of Salomon.
Young's Literal Translation
And Hiram sendeth in the navy his servants, shipmen knowing the sea, with servants of Solomon,
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In the KJVVerse 9,079 of 31,102
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Commentary on 1 Kings 9 verses 15–28
15 ¶ And this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised; for to build the house of the LORD, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer.
16 For Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up, and taken Gezer, and burnt it with fire, and slain the Canaanites that dwelt in the city, and given it for a present unto his daughter, Solomon's wife.
17 And Solomon built Gezer, and Bethhoron the nether,
18 And Baalath, and Tadmor in the wilderness, in the land,
19 And all the cities of store that Solomon had, and cities for his chariots, and cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.
20 And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel,
21 Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day.
22 But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen: but they were men of war, and his servants, and his princes, and his captains, and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen.
23 These were the chief of the officers that were over Solomon's work, five hundred and fifty, which bare rule over the people that wrought in the work.
24 But Pharaoh's daughter came up out of the city of David unto her house which Solomon had built for her: then did he build Millo.
25 And three times in a year did Solomon offer burnt offerings and peace offerings upon the altar which he built unto the LORD, and he burnt incense upon the altar that was before the LORD. So he finished the house.
26 And king Solomon made a navy of ships in Eziongeber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red sea, in the land of Edom.
27 And Hiram sent in the navy his servants, shipmen that had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon.
28 And they came to Ophir, and fetched from thence gold, four hundred and twenty talents, and brought it to king Solomon.
We have here a further account of Solomon's greatness.
I. His buildings. He raised a great levy both of men and money, because he projected a great deal of building, which would both employ many hands and put him to a vast expense, Kg1 9:15. And he was a wise builder, who sat down first, and counted the cost, and would not begin to build till he found himself able to finish. Perhaps there was some complaint of the heaviness of the taxes, which the historian excuses from the greatness of his undertakings. He raised it, not for war (as other princes), which would spend the blood of his subjects, but for building, which would require only their labour and purses. Perhaps David observed Solomon's genius to lie towards building, and foresaw he would have his head and hands full of it, when he penned that song of degrees for Solomon, which begins, Except the Lord build the house, those labour in vain that build it (Psa 127:1), directing him to acknowledge God in all his ways, and, by prayer and faith in his providence, to take him along with him in all his designs of this kind. And Solomon verily began his work at the right end, for he built God's house first, and finished that before he began his own; and then God blessed him, and he prospered in all his other buildings. If we begin with God, he will go on with us. Let the first-fruits be his, and the after-fruits will the more comfortably be ours, Mat 6:33. Solomon built a church first and then he was enabled to build houses, and cities, and walls. Those consult not their own interest that defer to the last what they design for pious uses. The further order in Solomon's buildings is observable. God's house first for religion, then his own for his own convenience, then a house for his wife, to which she removed as soon as it was ready for her (Kg1 9:24), then Millo, the town-house or guild-hall, then the wall of Jerusalem, the royal city, then some cities of note and strength in the country, which were decayed and unfortified, Hazor, Megiddo, etc. As he rebuilt these at his own charge, the inhabitants would be not only his subjects, but his tenants, which would increase the revenues of the crown for the benefit of his successors. Among the rest, he built Gezer, which Pharaoh took out of the hands of the Canaanites, and made a present of to his daughter, Solomon's wife, Kg1 9:16. See how God maketh the earth to help the woman. Solomon was not himself a warlike prince, but the king of Egypt, who was, took cities for him to build. Then he built cities for convenience, for store, for his chariots, and for his horsemen, Kg1 9:19. And, lastly, he built for pleasure in Lebanon, for his hunting perhaps, or other diversions there. Let piety begin, and profit proceed, and leave pleasure to the last.
II. His workmen and servants. In doing such great works, he must needs employ abundance of workmen. The honour of great men is borrowed from their inferiors, who do that which they have the credit of. 1. Solomon employed those who remained of the conquered and devoted nations in all the slavish work, Kg1 9:20, Kg1 9:21. We may suppose that they renounced their idolatry and submitted to Solomon's government, so that he could not, in honour, utterly destroy them, and they were so poor that he could not levy money on them; therefore he served himself of their labour. Herein he observed God's law (Lev 25:44, Thy bondmen shall be of the heathen), and fulfilled Noah's curse upon Canaan, A servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren, Gen 9:25. 2. He employed Israelites in the more creditable services (Kg1 9:22, Kg1 9:23): Of them he made no bondmen, for they were God's freemen, but he made them soldiers and courtiers, and gave them offices, as he saw them qualified, among his chariots and horsemen, appointing some to support the service of the inferior labourers. Thus he preserved the dignity and liberty of Israel and honoured their relation to God as a kingdom of priests.
III. His piety and devotion (Kg1 9:25): Three times in a year he offered burnt-offerings extraordinary (namely, at the three yearly feasts, the passover, pentecost, and feast of tabernacles) in honour of the divine institution, besides what he offered at other times, both statedly and upon special occasions. With his sacrifices he burnt incense, not himself (that was king Uzziah's crime), but the priest for him, at his charge, and for his particular use. It is said, He offered on the altar which he himself built. He took care to build it, and then, 1. He himself made use of it. Many will assist the devotions of others that neglect their own. Solomon did not think his building an altar would excuse him from sacrificing, but rather engage him the more to it. 2. He himself had the benefit and comfort of it. Whatever pains we take, for the support of religion, to the glory of God and the edification of others, we ourselves are likely to have the advantage of it.
IV. His merchandise. He built a fleet of trading ships at Ezion-geber (Kg1 9:26), a port on the coast of the Red Sea, the furthest stage of the Israelites when they wandered in the wilderness, Num 33:35. Probably that wilderness now began to be peopled by the Edomites, which it was not then. To them this port had belonged, but, David having subdued the Edomites, it now pertained to the crown of Judah. The fleet traded to Ophir in the East Indies, supposed to be that which is now called Ceylon. Gold was the commodity traded for, substantial wealth. It should seem, Solomon had before been Hiram's partner, or put a venture into his ships, which made him a rich return of 120 talents (Kg1 9:14), which encouraged him to build a fleet of his own. The success of others in any employment should quicken our industry; for in all labour there is profit. Solomon sent his own servants as factors, and merchants, and super-cargoes, but hired Tyrians for sailors, for they had knowledge of the sea, Kg1 9:27. Thus one nation needs another, Providence so ordering it that there may be mutual commerce and assistance; for not only as Christians, but as men, we are members one of another. The fleet brought home to Solomon 420 talents of gold, Kg1 9:28. Canaan, the holy land, the glory of all lands, had no gold in it, which teaches us that that part of the wealth of this world which is for hoarding and trading is not the best part of it, but that which is more immediately for the present support and comfort of life, our own and others'; such were the productions of Canaan. Solomon got much by his merchandise, but, it should seem, David got much more by his conquests. What were Solomon's 420 talents to David's 100,000 talents of gold? Ch1 22:14; Ch1 29:4. Solomon got much by his merchandise, and yet has directed us to a better trade, within reach of the poorest, having assured us from his own experience of both that the merchandise of wisdom is better than the merchandise of silver and the gain thereof than fine gold, Pro 3:14.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 15–28. Public domain.
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Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
1 Kings 9:27 details a pivotal aspect of King Solomon's ambitious maritime trade ventures: the indispensable partnership with King Hiram of Tyre. Following the construction of Solomon's fleet at Ezion-geber, this verse highlights Hiram's provision of highly skilled Phoenician mariners, described as "shipmen that had knowledge of the sea," to accompany Solomon's own less experienced servants. This collaboration was absolutely vital for the success of these long-distance expeditions, primarily aimed at acquiring vast quantities of valuable resources like gold from Ophir, thereby underscoring Solomon's administrative wisdom in leveraging international expertise for the prosperity and glory of his kingdom.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The verse employs several effective literary devices to convey its profound message. Emphasis is powerfully placed on the specialized and indispensable knowledge of Hiram's servants through the descriptive phrase "shipmen that had knowledge of the sea," highlighting the critical nature of their unique expertise for the success of the venture. This meticulous detail also serves as a form of Characterization for King Solomon, portraying him not merely as a wise judge but as an exceptionally pragmatic and discerning ruler who fully understands the immense value of leveraging external skills and specialized knowledge for the benefit and prosperity of his kingdom, rather than relying solely on internal, potentially insufficient, resources. The entire passage, including this verse, functions as a clear Narrative Exposition, meticulously explaining the practical and strategic means by which Solomon's vast and legendary wealth, particularly the immense quantity of gold from Ophir mentioned in the subsequent verse (1 Kings 9:28), was successfully acquired. Furthermore, the long-standing, deep, and mutually beneficial relationship between Solomon and Hiram, so vividly exemplified here, serves as a powerful Symbol of effective international diplomacy, strategic economic cooperation, and the flourishing of a divinely blessed reign.
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while seemingly a straightforward historical detail concerning ancient trade, carries profound theological and thematic weight, offering enduring spiritual insights. It beautifully illustrates God's intricate provision for His people, demonstrating that His blessings are not always manifested through miraculous, supernatural intervention, but often through the wise and strategic utilization of human relationships, diverse gifts, and astute collaboration. Solomon's humble reliance on Hiram's "shipmen that had knowledge of the sea" powerfully demonstrates a wise recognition of his kingdom's inherent limitations and a pragmatic willingness to seek out and integrate external expertise. This reflects a broader, foundational biblical principle that God frequently works through human collaboration, valuing the unique skills, specialized knowledge, and distinct contributions of different individuals, communities, and even nations. It teaches that true wisdom, a gift ultimately granted by God, involves the spiritual discernment of when and how to partner with others who possess complementary strengths, thereby fostering a healthy interdependence rather than isolated self-sufficiency. This strategic alliance facilitated the flow of immense resources that contributed significantly to the unparalleled splendor and prosperity of Solomon's reign, which was ultimately intended to glorify God and showcase His abundant blessing upon Israel as a testimony to the surrounding nations.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The historical account of Solomon and Hiram's collaborative maritime venture in 1 Kings 9:27 offers timeless and profound wisdom for contemporary life and faith. It powerfully challenges us to critically examine areas where we might be attempting to operate in isolation, neglecting the vast wealth of knowledge, skill, and diverse gifts available within the wider community, particularly within the interconnected body of Christ. Just as Solomon, despite his unparalleled wisdom and immense resources, humbly recognized his limitations and the critical need for specialized maritime expertise he did not possess, we too must cultivate a profound humility to acknowledge our own deficiencies and actively seek out those with complementary gifts and specialized knowledge. This principle applies universally—to personal endeavors, professional projects, and most especially to the multifaceted mission of the church. Effective ministry and impactful kingdom work often necessitate a diverse array of talents—gifted teachers, meticulous administrators, creative artists, skilled technicians, compassionate caregivers—all working together in unity, each contributing their unique "knowledge of the sea" in their respective domains. Embracing genuine collaboration, valuing specialized skills, and fostering authentic, trusting partnerships can unlock far greater effectiveness and achieve outcomes that extend far beyond what any individual or single group could ever accomplish alone, ultimately bringing profound glory to God through shared effort, mutual dependence, and the synergistic deployment of His diverse gifts.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Why was Hiram's help necessary for Solomon's navy?
Answer: Hiram's help was absolutely necessary because ancient Israel, primarily an agrarian society with its focus on land-based agriculture and military, lacked a significant maritime tradition and, crucially, the specialized expertise required for long-distance, open-sea voyages. The Phoenicians, particularly those from the powerful city-state of Tyre, were renowned master mariners with centuries of unparalleled experience in shipbuilding, advanced navigation techniques, and intricate international trade routes. Solomon's newly constructed fleet at Ezion-geber would have been utterly useless for its intended purpose of fetching immense quantities of gold from distant lands like Ophir (1 Kings 9:28) without the profound "knowledge of the sea" that Hiram's highly skilled "shipmen" possessed. This strategic partnership filled a critical and otherwise insurmountable gap in Israel's capabilities, enabling Solomon's ambitious and highly profitable economic ventures.
What was the nature of the relationship between Solomon and Hiram?
Answer: The relationship between King Solomon of Israel and King Hiram of Tyre was a strong, enduring, and profoundly mutually beneficial political and economic alliance. This alliance was rooted in an earlier friendship established between Hiram and King David (2 Samuel 5:11). Hiram provided essential resources and unparalleled expertise for Solomon's grand and extensive building projects, including vast quantities of timber (cedar and cypress) and highly skilled craftsmen for the construction of the magnificent Temple and his royal palace (1 Kings 5:1-12). In return, Solomon provided Hiram with abundant food supplies, particularly wheat and oil (1 Kings 5:11), and later, twenty cities in Galilee (1 Kings 9:10-14). The sending of "shipmen that had knowledge of the sea" for Solomon's navy (1 Kings 9:27) further solidified this alliance, demonstrating a deep level of trust, strategic cooperation, and shared economic interest that extended to joint ventures in maritime commerce.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Kings 9:27 describes a historical alliance forged for earthly gain and national prosperity, it subtly yet powerfully points to a greater, spiritual reality ultimately fulfilled in Christ. Solomon, despite his unparalleled, divinely bestowed wisdom, humbly recognized his limitations and wisely sought external, specialized expertise from Hiram's "shipmen that had knowledge of the sea" to achieve his kingdom's material prosperity. This pragmatic reliance foreshadows Christ, the ultimate King, who in His divine wisdom and omnipotence is entirely self-sufficient and lacks nothing. Yet, in His magnificent redemptive plan, He graciously chooses to build His eternal church through the diverse gifts, collaborative efforts, and humble service of His redeemed people (Ephesians 4:11-16). Just as Hiram's skilled men brought their specialized maritime abilities to navigate Solomon's navy, so the Holy Spirit sovereignly equips believers with unique spiritual gifts, enabling the body of Christ to function effectively, extend His kingdom, and fulfill its global mission of proclaiming the Gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth (1 Corinthians 12:4-11). The "gold from Ophir" that Solomon's ships brought back can be seen as a type of the immeasurable spiritual riches, the unsearchable wealth of Christ, and the eternal glory that Christ, through His perfect atoning work on the cross, has secured for His people (Ephesians 1:7-8). Furthermore, it points to the nations bringing their glory and honor into the New Jerusalem, a city built of pure gold (Revelation 21:24-26). Ultimately, Christ is the true "King of wisdom" who, though needing no external help, graciously employs and empowers His people, equipping them with His Spirit and diverse gifts, to extend His spiritual kingdom and gather the spiritual treasures of a redeemed humanity for His eternal glory.