10 And Hiram is giving to Solomon cedar-trees, and fir-trees, all his desire, 11 and Solomon hath given to Hiram twenty thousand cors of wheat, food for his house, and twenty cors of beaten oil; thus doth Solomon give to Hiram year by year. 12 And Jehovah hath given wisdom to Solomon as He spake to him, and there is peace between Hiram and Solomon, and they make a covenant both of them. 13 And king Solomon lifteth up a tribute out of all Israel, and the tribute is thirty thousand men, 14 and he sendeth them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month, by changes, a month they are in Lebanon, two months in their own house; and Adoniram 'is' over the tribute. 15 And king Solomon hath seventy thousand bearing burdens, and eighty thousand hewing in the mountain, 16 apart from the heads of the officers of Solomon, who 'are' over the work, three thousand and three hundred, those ruling over the people who are working in the business. 17 And the king commandeth, and they bring great stones, precious stone, to lay the foundation of the house, hewn stones; 18 and the builders of Solomon, and the builders of Hiram, and the Giblites hew, and prepare the wood and the stones to build the house.

Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 5:10-18

Commentary on 1 Kings 5:10-18

(Read 1 Kings 5:10-18)

The temple was chiefly built by the riches and labour of Gentiles, which typified their being called into the church. Solomon commanded, and they brought costly stones for the foundation. Christ, who is laid for a Foundation, is a chosen and precious Stone. We should lay our foundation firm, and bestow most pains on that part of our religion which lies out of the sight of men. And happy those who, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, for a habitation of God through the Spirit. Who among us will build in the house of the Lord?