1 Kings 5:5 - Printer Friendly

ESV: 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.’

NIV: 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.’

NASB: So behold, I intend to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, just as the Lord spoke to David my father, saying, ‘Your son, whom I will put on your throne in your place, he will build the house for My name.’

CSB: So I plan to build a temple for the name of the Lord my God, according to what the Lord promised my father David: ‘I will put your son on your throne in your place, and he will build the temple for my name.’

NLT: So I am planning to build a Temple to honor the name of the Lord my God, just as he had instructed my father, David. For the Lord told him, ‘Your son, whom I will place on your throne, will build the Temple to honor my name.’

KJV: And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.

NKJV: And behold, I propose to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord spoke to my father David, saying, “Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, he shall build the house for My name.”

1 Kings 5:1-6 Context First Kings 5:1–6 records Solomon's connection with his father's friend, King Hiram of Tyre (2 Chronicles 2:3–6). God promised David that Israel would have peace and that David would have a son to build the temple (2 Samuel 7:10–13). David prepared as much as he could (1 Chronicles 22; 28—29), and now it's Solomon's turn. Solomon knows he needs Lebanese timber and asks Hiram for help. Hiram is thrilled that his friend's son is so wise and promises to send what Solomon needs (1 Kings 5:7–9).

In 1 Kings 5, Solomon enlists the help of King Hiram of Tyre to build the temple. When Hiram hears that his friend David has died, he sends messengers to connect with Solomon. Solomon knows that David commissioned the lumber for which Damascus is famous (1 Chronicles 22:2–5) and asks for more help. Hiram enthusiastically agrees in exchange for a yearly food allowance. Solomon conscripts tens of thousands of resident aliens in Israel to work with Hiram's men and dress stone for the foundation. Second Chronicles 2 adds more detail, including the addition of the half-Israelite, half-Lebanese craftsman Hiram-abi.

In 1 Kings 5, Solomon starts accumulating supplies and workers for the temple (2 Chronicles 2). David has already gathered building materials and precious metals. He has invited Israelite leaders and King Hiram of Tyre to help (1 Chronicles 22; 28—29). Hiram agrees to continue the working relationship with Solomon. Solomon conscripts laborers, and Hiram sends a master craftsman to build the furnishings (2 Chronicles 4:11–18). With all the help, Solomon will be able to bring the ark to its new home in about seven years (1 Kings 6:1, 37–38).

This was originally the first half of a combined text. First Kings records the end of David's reign and the rule of Solomon. After this, the kingdom is split in two. The northern nation of Israel no longer submits to the king of the southern nation, called Judah. The prophet Elijah first appears in this book. The kings mostly fail to honor the Lord. They participate in idolatry and other sins. This will eventually result in their conquest and exile, as depicted throughout the books of Chronicles.