And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.

2 SAMUEL 5:11KJV
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2 Samuel 5:11 (KJV)

What does 2 Samuel 5:11 mean?

2 Samuel 5:11 describes how Hiram, the king of Tyre, sent messengers, cedar wood, skilled carpenters, and masons to David, and these workers built a house for David. This verse shows that David received help from a neighboring king to establish his royal residence.

Hiram was the ruler of Tyre, a wealthy Phoenician city known for its timber and skilled craftsmen. By sending materials and workers, Hiram was forming a friendly alliance with David, who had just become king over all Israel. The "house" here refers to a palace, marking David’s rise in status and the recognition of his kingship by other nations.

The Hebrew behind 2 Samuel 5:11

  • חִירָם (ḥîrām, "Hiram"): The name of the king of Tyre, highlighting a foreign ruler’s involvement and support in David’s reign.
  • אֶרֶז (’erez, "cedar"): Cedar wood was highly valued and often used for important buildings, showing the quality and prestige of David’s new house.
  • חָרָשׁ (ḥārāsh, "carpenter") and גָּזִית (gāzît, "mason"): These words point to skilled workers, emphasizing that David’s house was built with expertise, not just ordinary labor.
  • בַּיִת (bayit, "house"): This word often means a dwelling or palace, not just a simple home, underlining the significance of what was being built for David.

Why 2 Samuel 5:11 matters

  • This verse shows that David’s kingship was recognized beyond Israel, as foreign leaders like Hiram offered support and resources.
  • The building of a palace for David marks a turning point, as it establishes Jerusalem as the political and royal center for Israel.
  • The cooperation between David and Hiram sets the stage for future alliances, including the later partnership between Solomon (David’s son) and Hiram in building the temple.

Where else these words appear

“Hiram” Hebrew H2438 · used in 20 verses

  • 1 Kings 5:1 And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David.
  • 1 Kings 5:12 And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.
  • 1 Kings 9:12 And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him; and they pleased him not.

“carpenters” Hebrew H2796 · used in 32 verses

  • Exodus 28:11 With the work of an engraver in stone, like the engravings of a signet, shalt thou engrave the two stones with the names of the children of Israel: thou shalt make them to be set in ouches of gold.
  • 1 Chronicles 22:15 Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning men for every manner of work.
  • Isaiah 44:13 The carpenter stretcheth out his rule; he marketh it out with a line; he fitteth it with planes, and he marketh it out with the compass, and maketh it after the figure of a man, according to the beauty of a man; that it may remain in the house.

“Tyre” Hebrew H6865 · used in 39 verses

  • Joshua 19:29 And then the coast turneth to Ramah, and to the strong city Tyre; and the coast turneth to Hosah; and the outgoings thereof are at the sea from the coast to Achzib:
  • Isaiah 23:1 The burden of Tyre. Howl, ye ships of Tarshish; for it is laid waste, so that there is no house, no entering in: from the land of Chittim it is revealed to them.
  • Ezekiel 27:2 Now, thou son of man, take up a lamentation for Tyrus;

“masons” Hebrew H7023 · used in 64 verses

  • Exodus 30:3 And thou shalt overlay it with pure gold, the top thereof, and the sides thereof round about, and the horns thereof; and thou shalt make unto it a crown of gold round about.
  • 1 Kings 14:10 Therefore, behold, I will bring evil upon the house of Jeroboam, and will cut off from Jeroboam him that pisseth against the wall, and him that is shut up and left in Israel, and will take away the remnant of the house of Jeroboam, as a man taketh away dung, till it be all gone.
  • Ezekiel 8:10 So I went in and saw; and behold every form of creeping things, and abominable beasts, and all the idols of the house of Israel, pourtrayed upon the wall round about.