Bible Strands
2 Samuel 5:11
Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The narrator reports that Hiram king of Tyre initiated diplomatic contact with David during a period of David’s expanding political strength. This exchange occurs immediately after the text notes David’s continuous growth because the LORD of hosts was with him.
The words — The verb וַיִּשְׁלַח (va.yish.lach) literally means "and he sent," describing Hiram’s dispatch of resources. The noun מַלְאָכִים (mal.'a.khim) translates to "envoys," indicating the official nature of the delegation.
The thread — The same historical event is recorded in 1 Chronicles 14:1, while the subsequent reign of Solomon with Hiram appears in 1 Kings 5:1 and 1 Kings 5:18. These passages trace the continuity of Tyrian royal support from David’s palace construction to Solomon’s temple projects.
Why it lands — The text requires the reader to recognize that David’s royal status is now acknowledged by foreign monarchs through material and labor contributions. It demands attention to how political alliances form around a leader whose authority is explicitly tied to divine presence.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.
Cross-references
- 1 Chronicles 14:1 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons, and carpenters, to build a palace for him.
- 1 Kings 5:1 Now when Hiram king of Tyre heard that Solomon had been anointed king in his father’s place, he sent envoys to Solomon; for Hiram had always been a friend of David.
- 1 Kings 5:18 So Solomon’s and Hiram’s builders, along with the Gebalites, quarried the stone and prepared the timber and stone for the construction of the temple.
- 2 Samuel 7:2 he said to Nathan the prophet, “Here I am, living in a house of cedar, while the ark of God remains in a tent.”
- 1 Kings 5:8 Then Hiram sent a reply to Solomon, saying: “I have received your message; I will do all you desire regarding the cedar and cypress timber.
- 1 Kings 7:1 Solomon, however, took thirteen years to complete the construction of his entire palace.
- Ecclesiastes 2:4 I expanded my pursuits. I built houses and planted vineyards for myself.
- Jeremiah 22:14 who says, ‘I will build myself a great palace, with spacious upper rooms.’ So he cuts windows in it, panels it with cedar, and paints it with vermilion.