1 Chronicles 14:1 meaning, Cross Ref, ai commentary KJV NIV ESV NLT

1 Chronicles 14:1 kjv

Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and timber of cedars, with masons and carpenters, to build him an house.

1 Chronicles 14:1 nkjv

Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, with masons and carpenters, to build him a house.

1 Chronicles 14:1 niv

Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons and carpenters to build a palace for him.

1 Chronicles 14:1 esv

And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, also masons and carpenters to build a house for him.

1 Chronicles 14:1 nlt

Then King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar timber, and stonemasons and carpenters to build him a palace.

1 Chronicles 14 1 Cross References

Verse	Text	Reference
2 Sam 5:11-12	Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and masons, and they built David a house. And David knew that the Lord had established him…	Parallel account of Hiram's aid and divine establishment of David's kingdom.
1 Chr 22:4	Also cedar logs beyond number, for the Sidonians and Tyrians brought many cedar logs to David.	Future abundance of Tyrian cedar for temple building, due to these ties.
1 Kgs 5:1-6	When Hiram king of Tyre heard that Solomon had been anointed king in place of his father, he sent his envoys to Solomon, for Hiram had always loved David.	Continued friendly relations and cooperation with Hiram under Solomon.
1 Kgs 5:8-10	So Hiram sent to Solomon, saying: “I have heard the message… will supply all your needs for cedar timber and cypress timber… My servants will bring them down from Lebanon…”	Hiram's provision of materials for Solomon's Temple, a pattern established here.
Ps 28:5	Because they regard not the works of the Lord, nor the operation of his hands, he will tear them down and build them up no more.	Contrast: God builds up His chosen, tears down those who defy Him.
Is 14:8	Even the cypresses rejoice at you, the cedars of Lebanon, saying, "Since you were laid low, no cutter comes up against us."	Symbolism of cedars representing majesty and stability.
Eze 27:3	and say to Tyre, who dwells at the entrances to the sea, merchant of the peoples on many coasts, Thus says the Lord God: “O Tyre, you have said, ‘I am perfect in beauty.’”	Tyre's renowned wealth and trade, which enabled such gifts.
Zeph 2:7	and the seacoast shall become pastures for flocks, and dwellings for shepherds, and for the remnant of the house of Judah.	God's people inheriting coastal regions, contrasting Tyre's later judgment.
Ps 87:4	I will record Rahab and Babylon among those who acknowledge me—Philistia too, and Tyre, along with Cush—and will say, "This one was born in Zion."	Recognition that even foreign nations (like Tyre) can come to acknowledge God.
Ezra 3:7	They gave money also to the masons and to the carpenters, and food, drink, and oil to the Sidonians and to the Tyrians, to bring cedar logs from Lebanon to the sea…	Continued reliance on Tyrian expertise and cedar for later temple rebuilding.
Matt 2:2	saying, "Where is he who has been born king of the Jews? For we saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him."	Wise Men from the East recognizing God's chosen king, echoing Hiram's recognition.
Acts 1:8	But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."	God's establishment of His Kingdom reaching beyond Israel's borders.
John 18:36	Jesus answered, "My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would have been fighting, that I might not be delivered over to the Jews.	Contrast: David's earthly kingdom needed human aid; Christ's divine kingdom does not.
Gen 12:2	And I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.	Fulfillment of God's promise to bless Abraham, extended to David and Israel's reputation.
Gen 49:22	“Joseph is a fruitful bough, a fruitful bough by a well; his branches run over the wall.”	Imagery of spreading influence and strength, like a tree or kingdom.
Zech 6:12	Then say to him, 'Thus says the Lord of hosts, "Behold, the Man whose name is the Branch… he shall build the temple of the Lord.”	Christ as the ultimate Builder, establishing God's true 'house' (the Church).
Eph 2:20-22	built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone, in whom the whole structure, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord.	New Testament concept of God building His spiritual house (the Church) with Christ.
Rev 21:18	The wall of the city was built of jasper, and the city itself was pure gold, like clear glass.	Description of the Heavenly City built by God, showing divine architecture.
1 Sam 2:7-8	The Lord makes poor and makes rich; he brings low and lifts up; he raises the poor from the dust; he lifts the needy from the ash heap to make them sit with princes…	God's sovereign hand in establishing kings and their kingdoms.
Ps 72:10	The kings of Tarshish and of the coastlands may present tribute; the kings of Sheba and Seba may offer gifts.	Prophetic vision of foreign kings bringing tribute to the Messiah King.

1 Chronicles 14 verses

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1 Chronicles 14 1 Meaning

1 Chronicles 14:1 records the diplomatic overture of Hiram, the King of Tyre, to David after David was established as king in Jerusalem. Hiram sent ambassadors along with skilled craftsmen—masons and carpenters—and valuable cedar wood, to aid David in building his royal palace. This act signifies international recognition and support for David’s newly established reign, highlighting God’s blessing upon him.

1 Chronicles 14 1 Context

Chapter 14 of 1 Chronicles marks a pivotal moment in David’s reign. It immediately follows David’s capture of Jerusalem and establishment there, the city destined to become the capital of Israel and the site of God’s dwelling (1 Chr 11:4-9), and his recognition by the tribes (1 Chr 12). Hiram’s diplomatic mission, providing material and expertise for David’s palace, symbolizes the international recognition and secure establishment of David's kingdom, highlighting divine favor. Historically, this alliance between Israel and the maritime power of Tyre was economically and strategically significant, particularly for access to Lebanon's famous cedar forests and skilled artisans. This verse is closely paralleled in 2 Samuel 5:11, where it follows the account of David becoming king over all Israel and conquering Jerusalem. The Chronicler’s inclusion of this detail emphasizes David's legitimate reign and God's blessing upon him, providing for the necessary infrastructure of kingship before the significant victories against the Philistines.

1 Chronicles 14 1 Word analysis

Hiram (חִירָם - Ḥîrâm) King of Tyre (צֹר - Tsor): Hiram was a historical king of the Phoenician city-state of Tyre, renowned for its maritime trade, wealth, and skilled artisans. Tyre, on the Mediterranean coast north of Israel, controlled vast forests of cedar in Lebanon. This alliance signified international recognition of David's reign, placing David among the recognized rulers of the ancient Near East, not just a tribal chief. It also demonstrates divine providence, as God raises up unlikely allies for His chosen one.
sent (שָׁלַח - shâlach) messengers (מַלְאָךְ - mal'âk): "Sent" implies a deliberate diplomatic initiative. "Messengers" (plural) signifies an official delegation, indicating respect and seriousness of the mission. This act goes beyond a simple greeting; it is a formal acknowledgment of David's sovereignty and establishment.
to David: Specifies the recipient of Hiram's diplomatic efforts, underscoring David's central role as the legitimate king of all Israel, recently established in Jerusalem.
and cedar trees (אֶרֶז - 'erez): Cedar wood, particularly from Lebanon, was highly prized in the ancient world for its durability, beauty, fragrant aroma, and resistance to decay and insects. It was a luxury material used for palaces, temples, and prestigious structures, symbolizing royalty, strength, and divine favor. Its provision signifies opulence and the firm foundation of David's rule.
and masons (בֹּנֶה אֶבֶן - bôneh 'eben - literally "stone builders") and carpenters (חָרָשׁ עֵץ - chârâsh 'ēts - literally "wood craftsmen"): These were highly skilled professionals. Phoenicians, especially Tyrians, were celebrated throughout the ancient world for their superior craftsmanship in building, metalwork, and seafaring. Their expertise was crucial for constructing a palace fitting for a king, far beyond what local Israelite builders might have been capable of at the time. This detail highlights both Tyrian skill and Israel's resourcefulness, aided by divine orchestration.
to build him a house (בַּיִת - bayit): The word "bayit" in Hebrew can refer to a dwelling, a palace, or a temple. Here, it specifically means a royal palace for David. This "house" is not merely a place of residence but represents the stable foundation of David's kingship and, by extension, the kingdom itself. It implies permanency and grandeur. The provision of resources for David’s personal dwelling also foreshadows the future desire and preparation for building God's house, the Temple, which will also extensively use Tyrian materials and skills.

1 Chronicles 14 1 Bonus section

The Chronicler often highlights aspects of David’s reign that underscore his piety, his preparation for the temple, and God’s direct blessing. Unlike the narrative in 2 Samuel, which is primarily a history, Chronicles serves to encourage the post-exilic community by emphasizing the unbroken line of God’s covenant promises and the ideal nature of Davidic kingship. Hiram's unsolicited aid underscores God's providential care for David and the early establishment of Jerusalem as a capital worthy of God’s future presence. This international recognition also served as a polemic against any notion that Israel's God was only a local deity; rather, He orchestrated events even among powerful foreign nations to serve His purposes for His people and king. This event lays foundational trust between Israel and Tyre, critical for the extensive building projects that follow under Solomon, particularly the construction of the Temple, which utilized an even greater quantity of Tyrian cedar and skill.

1 Chronicles 14 1 Commentary

1 Chronicles 14:1 marks the divine legitimation and consolidation of David's kingship. Following his establishment in Jerusalem, David receives an unsolicited alliance from Hiram, King of Tyre. This demonstrates that David's status as God's anointed king is not just recognized internally by Israel, but also externally by a prominent foreign power. The provision of cedar and skilled artisans signifies the Lord’s blessing upon David, furnishing him with the resources necessary for a royal residence befitting a divinely chosen king. It's a strategic alliance, providing access to materials and expertise that Israel lacked, yet the Chronicler's emphasis remains on God's hand enabling this, signaling that God’s plan extends beyond Israel's borders and that He works through all nations to establish His chosen leader and kingdom. This act of building David's "house" also prefigures David's desire to build a "house" (Temple) for the Lord, and Solomon's eventual use of similar Tyrian resources for that greater task.