1 Kings 5:15 meaning

In this passage, King Solomon's ambitious plans for building the temple of the Lord are set in motion. To achieve his monumental goal, he engages the assistance of Hiram, the king of Tyre, who is well-known for his skilled craftsmen and abundant cedar trees necessary for the construction. This partnership exemplifies the importance of collaboration and community in monumental tasks. Hiram’s readiness to aid Solomon indicates a strong diplomatic bond, one that underscores Solomon's wisdom in fostering alliances that are essential for peace and prosperity.

The verse illustrates the numerical strength of Solomon's labor force—seventy thousand burden bearers and eighty thousand stone cutters. This considerable workforce reveals both the scale of the project and the leadership required to coordinate such efforts. Importantly, it highlights a core biblical principle: God uses human resources to fulfill divine purposes, encouraging believers to see their work as significant in God’s plan as expressed in 1 Kings 5:15. Such collaborations not only fulfill immediate goals but also strengthen relationships between nations and within communities.