My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household.

1 KINGS 5:9KJV
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1 Kings 5:9 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 5:9 mean?

1 Kings 5:9 describes how King Hiram of Tyre promises to send cedar logs from Lebanon to King Solomon by floating them down the sea to a place Solomon will choose, where Solomon’s workers will collect them. In return, Solomon is to provide food for Hiram’s household as payment for the timber.

In this verse, Hiram is responding to Solomon’s request for building materials for the temple in Jerusalem. Hiram explains the practical arrangement: his servants will transport the logs from the mountains of Lebanon (a region famous for its cedar trees) down to the sea, then float them along the coast to a designated spot. This agreement highlights the cooperation between the two kings and sets up a trade: timber for food supplies.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 5:9

  • The word for “floats” is רָפָה (rāphāh), which refers to rafts or bundles of logs tied together for transport on water. This detail shows the practical method used to move heavy timber over long distances.
  • The word for “discharged” is נָפַל (nāphal), meaning to unload or let fall. This clarifies that the logs would be unfastened and delivered at the spot Solomon chose, not just floated aimlessly.
  • The word for “food” is לֶחֶם (lechem), which means bread or food in general. Here, it refers to the supplies Solomon would provide, showing that the payment was in provisions rather than money.

Why 1 Kings 5:9 matters

  • This verse clears up how ancient international trade and cooperation worked, especially for large building projects like Solomon’s temple.
  • The verse emphasizes the logistical planning and trust between Solomon and Hiram, showing that both sides had clear responsibilities.
  • It connects to the wider passage by showing the beginning of a long partnership between Israel and Tyre, which was crucial for the temple’s construction.