2 Samuel 5:11 kjv
And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons: and they built David an house.
2 Samuel 5:11 nkjv
Then Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, and carpenters and masons. And they built David a house.
2 Samuel 5:11 niv
Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David.
2 Samuel 5:11 esv
And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David, and cedar trees, also carpenters and masons who built David a house.
2 Samuel 5:11 nlt
Then King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, along with cedar timber and carpenters and stonemasons, and they built David a palace.
2 Samuel 5 11 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Kgs 5:1 | And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon... | Hiram's continued friendly ties with Solomon. |
| 1 Kgs 5:6 | Command therefore that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon… | Solomon requesting similar aid from Hiram. |
| 1 Kgs 5:18 | So Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders... hewed them. | Collaboration in temple and palace building. |
| 1 Kgs 7:1 | But Solomon was building his own house thirteen years... | Building of royal palace as a major undertaking. |
| 2 Chr 2:3 | And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying… | Parallel account of seeking help for building. |
| 2 Chr 2:16 | And we will cut wood out of Lebanon... | Hiram supplying cedar for the temple. |
| Isa 14:8 | Yea, the fir trees rejoice at thee, and the cedars of Lebanon. | Cedars as symbols of prosperity and pride. |
| Eze 27:5 | They have made all thy ship boards of fir trees from Senir: they have taken cedars from Lebanon… | Tyre's renown for building materials. |
| Ps 92:12 | The righteous shall flourish like the palm tree: he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon. | Cedar as an image of flourishing and strength. |
| Amos 1:9 | Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Tyrus... | Tyre's later unfaithfulness to covenants. |
| 2 Sam 7:1-2 | David dwelled in his house... said to Nathan the prophet, Lo, I dwell in an house of cedar… | David's dwelling inspiring thought of a temple. |
| 2 Sam 7:11 | The Lord will make thee an house. | God's promise to build David a dynastic "house". |
| 1 Chr 14:1 | Now Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David... | Parallel account of Hiram's gesture. |
| Neh 3:20-21 | After him Baruch the son of Zabbai earnestly repaired… | Construction of physical structures, often with foreign help. |
| Zech 6:12-13 | Even he shall build the temple of the Lord... and he shall bear the glory… | Prophecy of the Branch building God's temple. |
| Eph 2:20-22 | And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets… | Believers built as a spiritual house. |
| 1 Pet 2:5 | Ye also, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house… | Believers as living stones in God's spiritual building. |
| Heb 3:3-4 | For every house is builded by some man; but he that built all things is God. | God as the ultimate Builder. |
| Prov 24:3-4 | Through wisdom is an house builded; and by understanding it is established: | Wisdom in building and establishment. |
| Luke 14:28-30 | For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first... | Parable of wise building and planning. |
| Acts 7:47-49 | But Solomon built him an house. Howbeit the most High dwelleth not in temples… | God's omnipresence transcending physical structures. |
| Isa 55:3 | I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David. | Assurance of David's house/covenant. |
2 Samuel 5 verses
2 Samuel 5 11 Meaning
This verse signifies the establishment of David's reign as recognized by international powers, particularly Hiram, King of Tyre. It details Hiram's generous provision of vital resources – cedar trees, skilled carpenters, and masons – which enabled David to construct a suitable royal residence in Jerusalem. This "house" was a visible manifestation of David's secure kingship and God's favor, laying the groundwork for the future national and religious infrastructure.
2 Samuel 5 11 Context
Following David's anointing as king over all Israel in Hebron, he successfully captures Jerusalem from the Jebusites, establishing it as his capital (2 Sam 5:6-10). This decisive military and political victory solidified his rule. Verse 11 marks a crucial turning point, moving from warfare to established kingship and international recognition. Hiram, the king of Tyre, initiating contact signifies the secure and acknowledged status of David's kingdom on the regional stage. The construction of a grand palace in the new capital, built with foreign expertise and materials, symbolized permanence, prosperity, and divine favor for David and his unified kingdom, setting the stage for future religious and national developments, including the desire to build a house for the Lord (2 Sam 7).
2 Samuel 5 11 Word analysis
- And Hiram: Hiram (חִירָם - Hîrām), King of Tyre, was a significant historical figure from Phoenicia, known for his long and prosperous reign. His initiative to send messengers and materials indicates diplomatic recognition of David's newly consolidated kingdom and established a strategic alliance. Tyre, a prominent city-state on the Mediterranean coast, controlled vast cedar forests and possessed highly skilled craftsmen, making its alliance invaluable for monumental construction. This relationship laid the foundation for even closer ties during Solomon's reign, particularly concerning the building of the Temple.
- king of Tyre: Emphasizes Hiram's royal authority and the strength of his city-state. Tyre was a wealthy maritime power. Its king's acknowledgment gave David international legitimacy and status.
- sent messengers: A formal act of diplomacy, signifying recognition and respect between two sovereign powers. It marked the shift from a fledgling Israelite kingdom to an internationally recognized entity.
- to David: Directing the aid to the newly unified king, emphasizing David's personal standing.
- and cedar trees: ’Ărâzîm (אֲרָזִים), specifically cedars of Lebanon, highly prized for their durability, beauty, fragrant aroma, and resistance to rot and insects. They were exceptionally valuable in the ancient Near East, akin to a strategic luxury commodity. Their use symbolized royalty, permanence, and divine blessing, far surpassing common building materials. Their provision underscores Hiram's lavish support and David's elevated status.
- and carpenters: Chārāshē ‘ēts (חָרָשֵׁי עֵץ), literally "craftsmen of wood." These were highly skilled artisans specializing in working with valuable timber like cedar, capable of intricate and robust construction, necessary for building a palace worthy of a king.
- and masons: Chārāshē ’even (חָרָשֵׁי אֶבֶן), literally "craftsmen of stone." These skilled workers were experts in quarrying, shaping, and setting large, finely cut stones, which formed the foundational and structural elements of monumental buildings. The availability of such expertise, particularly from advanced Phoenician builders, was critical for high-quality, durable construction.
- and they built: The collective effort of the provided foreign skilled labor. This "they" signifies the actual work being carried out by the carpenters and masons.
- David an house: Refers to a royal palace, not a simple dwelling. This "house" (bayit) represented David's official residence, serving as the center of government, a symbol of his wealth, power, and the stability of his kingdom. It served as a contrast to the tents and makeshift structures David and his predecessors had used, and provided a strong physical representation of the unified monarchy and divine blessing upon David. This palace was central to David's contemplation about building a "house" (temple) for the Lord in the following chapter.
2 Samuel 5 11 Bonus section
The building of David's palace, utilizing valuable cedar and skilled foreign labor, set a precedent for later monumental construction projects in Israel, most notably Solomon's Temple. It demonstrated an understanding and appreciation for quality architecture and advanced building techniques previously less common in Israelite society. The relationship between David and Hiram suggests a broader context of trade and diplomatic ties that extended beyond simple gift-giving, indicating Israel's growing presence on the geopolitical stage. The reliance on foreign craftsmen also subtly prepares the reader for the extensive foreign involvement in the Temple's construction, challenging the idea that all essential resources must originate from within Israel, showcasing God's ability to provide from any source.
2 Samuel 5 11 Commentary
This verse is pivotal, transitioning David's narrative from conquest to establishment. Hiram's unsolicited aid underscores divine favor on David's reign, as God works through international relations to bless His chosen king. The provision of cedars and skilled artisans from Tyre speaks volumes about David's perceived legitimacy and the regional significance of his newly consolidated kingdom. It provided the necessary means for David to construct a palace suitable for the unified monarchy in Jerusalem. This solid, magnificent dwelling became a tangible representation of David's peace and prosperity under God's blessing, setting the scene for his subsequent desire to build a "house" for the Lord (2 Sam 7). The collaboration between Israel and Tyre also foreshadows future constructive and complex international relations under Solomon, particularly in the grand undertaking of building the first Temple. It highlights that God's work can involve and be facilitated by resources and expertise from unexpected sources.