King living at the time of United Monarchy
Hiram, king of Tyre, provided materials and craftsmen for the construction of David's palace and Solomon's temple and palace.
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Also known as Huram
Hiram, also known as Huram, was the king of Tyre, a Phoenician city-state located on the Mediterranean coast north of Israel. He is mentioned in several passages in the Old Testament, primarily in connection with his alliances with King David and King Solomon of Israel.
During David's reign, Hiram sent envoys to David and provided him with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons to build his palace (2Sa.5.11; 1Ch.14.1). This gesture demonstrated the friendly relationship between Tyre and Israel and Hiram's recognition of David's growing power and influence in the region.
Hiram's alliance with Israel continued during the reign of Solomon, David's son. He played a significant role in the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem by supplying Solomon with cedar and cypress logs, as well as skilled craftsmen (1Kings 5; 2Ch.2.3-16). In exchange, Solomon provided Hiram with large quantities of wheat, barley, olive oil, and wine (1Ki.5.11; 2Ch.2.10).
The two kings also collaborated on maritime expeditions, with Hiram sending his skilled sailors to join Solomon's fleet in voyages to Ophir, a region known for its wealth in gold and other precious items (1Ki.9.27-28; 10.11, 22; 2Ch.8.18; 9.10, 21).
In addition to their trade and construction projects, Hiram and Solomon exchanged gifts and engaged in diplomatic relations (1Ki.9.11-14; 2Ch.8.2). Their friendship and cooperation were instrumental in the growth and prosperity of both Tyre and Israel during this period.
Part of: Kings, prophets and the house of David
Hiram, king of Tyre, sent cedar and craftsmen for David's palace and later supplied Solomon with timber and skilled labour for the temple in exchange for food; the two exchanged cities and gold.
Sources: 2 Sam 5:11 · 1 Kgs 5:1-12 · 1 Kgs 9:10-14
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High-born. (1.) Generally “Huram,” one of the sons of Bela (1 Chr. 8:5). (2.) Also “Huram” and “Horam,” king of Tyre. He entered into an alliance with David, and assisted him in building his palace by sending him able workmen, and also cedar-trees and fir-trees from Lebanon (2 Sam. 5:11; 1 Chr. 14:1). After the death of David he entered into a similar alliance with Solomon, and assisted him greatly in building the temple (1 Kings 5:1; 9:11; 2 Chr. 2:3). He also took part in Solomon’s traffic to the Eastern Seas (1 Kings 9:27; 10:11; 2 Chr. 8:18; 9:10). (3.) The “master workman” whom Hiram sent to Solomon. He was the son of a widow of Dan, and of a Tyrian father. In 2 Chr. 2:13 “Huram my father” should be Huram Abi, the word “Abi” (rendered here “my father”) being regarded as a proper name, or it may perhaps be a title of distinction given to Huram, and equivalent to “master.” (Comp. 1 Kings 7:14; 2 Chr. 4:16.) He cast the magnificent brazen works for Solomon’s temple in clay-beds in the valley of Jordan, between Succoth and Zarthan.
HI'RAM (noble). A distinguished king of Tyre. He was contemporary with David and Solomon, and on terms of political and personal friendship with them. Under his reign the city of Tyre became celebrated for its wealth and magnificence, and the vast supplies he furnished to the kings of Israel show the greatness of his resources. He aided David with materials for a palace, 2 Sam 5:11; 1 Chr 14:1, and Solomon in the construction of the temple, 1 Kgs 5:1-12; 1 Kgs 9:11-14, furnishing workmen as well as materials. He also allowed Solomon to send ships with the Tyrian ships under Tyrian management. 1 Kgs 9:26-28; 1 Kgs 10:11-28. An eminent artificer of Tyre who was employed by Solomon on some of the most difficult of the fixtures and furniture of the temple, 1 Kgs 7:13.
HI'RAM (noble). A distinguished king of Tyre. He was contemporary with David and Solomon, and on terms of political and personal friendship with them. Under his reign the city of Tyre became celebrated for its wealth and magnificence, and the vast supplies he furnished to the kings of Israel show the greatness of his resources. He aided David with materials for a palace, 2 Sam 5:11; 1 Chr 14:1, and Solomon in the construction of the temple, 1 Kgs 5:1-12; 1 Kgs 9:11-14, furnishing workmen as well as materials. He also allowed Solomon to send ships with the Tyrian ships under Tyrian management. 1 Kgs 9:26-28; 1 Kgs 10:11-28. An eminent artificer of Tyre who was employed by Solomon on some of the most difficult of the fixtures and furniture of the temple, 1 Kgs 7:13.
Easton (1897), Smith (1863), Hitchcock (1869), Hastings (1898) and Schaff are in the public domain. Parsed text: neuu-org/bible-dictionary-dataset (CC BY 4.0). Headwords and whitespace normalised for this site.
23 verses in 4 books · English text: BSB (change it from the menu at the top) · Strong’s H2438
Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David.
Now when Hiram king of Tyre heard that Solomon had been anointed king in his fatherʼs place, he sent envoys to Solomon; for Hiram had always been a friend of David.
And Solomon relayed this message to Hiram:
When Hiram received Solomonʼs message, he rejoiced greatly and said, “Blessed be the LORD this day! He has given David a wise son over this great people!”
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.
So Hiram provided Solomon with all the cedar and cypress timber he wanted,
and year after year Solomon would provide Hiram with 20,000 cors of wheat as food for his household, as well as 20,000 baths of pure olive oil.
And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as He had promised him. There was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.
So Solomonʼs and Hiramʼs builders, along with the Gebalites, quarried the stone and prepared the timber and stone for the construction of the temple.
King Solomon gave twenty towns in the land of Galilee to Hiram king of Tyre, who had supplied him with cedar and cypress logs and gold for his every desire.
So Hiram went out from Tyre to inspect the towns that Solomon had given him, but he was not pleased with them.
And Hiram had sent the king 120 talents of gold.
And Hiram sent his servants, sailors who knew the sea, to serve in the fleet with Solomonʼs servants.
(The fleet of Hiram that brought gold from Ophir also brought from Ophir a great cargo of almug wood and precious stones.
For the king had the ships of Tarshish at sea with Hiramʼs fleet, and once every three years the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, stonemasons, and carpenters, to build a palace for him.
Then Solomon sent word to Hiram king of Tyre: “Do for me as you did for my father David when you sent him cedars to build himself a house to live in.
Then Hiram king of Tyre wrote a letter in reply to Solomon: “Because the LORD loves His people, He has set you over them as king.”
And Hiram added: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who made the heavens and the earth! He has given King David a wise son with insight and understanding, who will build a temple for the LORD and a royal palace for himself.
Solomon rebuilt the cities Hiram had given him and settled Israelites there.
So Hiram sent him ships captained by his servants, along with crews of experienced sailors. They went with Solomonʼs servants to Ophir and acquired from there 450 talents of gold, which they delivered to King Solomon.
(The servants of Hiram and of Solomon who brought gold from Ophir also brought algum wood and precious stones.
For the king had the ships of Tarshish that went with Hiramʼs servants, and once every three years the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.
Names, family links and references: STEPBible TIPNR (Tyndale House Cambridge, CC BY 4.0). Short descriptions were drafted with AI assistance by STEPBible. Family links follow STEPBible’s scholarly decisions where genealogies are ambiguous.