Hiram king of Tyre
Gentile Phoenician (Tyre) · United Kingdom · Old Testament
- Also called
- Hiram, Huram
- Role
- King of Tyre; friend of David and Solomon
- When
- c. 1000-950 BC (reigns of David and Solomon, traditional)
What they did
Sent cedar trees, carpenters and masons to build David's house. He supplied cedar and fir for Solomon's temple and sent his sailors with Solomon's fleet.
Why it matters: the purpose of their role
A Gentile king who blessed the LORD for giving David a wise son; God used the skill and resources of the nations to build His house.
And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people. 1 Kings 5:7 (KJV)
Bible references
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 (KJV)
And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David. 1 Kings 5:1 (KJV)
And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people. And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir. My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household. So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire. 1 Kings 5:7-10 (KJV)
And Hiram sent in the navy his servants, shipmen that had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon. 1 Kings 9:27 (KJV)
Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, Because the LORD hath loved his people, he hath made thee king over them. Huram said moreover, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise son, endued with prudence and understanding, that might build an house for the LORD, and an house for his kingdom. 2 Chronicles 2:11-12 (KJV)
Family
'Hiram was ever a lover of David' (1 Kings 5:1). Called Huram in Chronicles.