King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 5:12 Mean?

1 Kings 5:12 in the King James Version says “And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a...” — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

“And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.”

1 Kings 5:12 · KJV

WisdomPeace

Context

10

So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire.

11

And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year. measures: Heb. cors

12

And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.

13

And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men. levy: Heb. tribute of men

14

And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses: a month they were in Lebanon, and two months at home: and Adoniram was over the levy.

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Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of preparations for building the temple, within the book's focus on Solomon's wisdom, temple building, and tragic apostasy. Solomon's God-given wisdom points to Christ, 'in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge' (Colossians 2:3).

The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.

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Historical & Cultural Context

First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Solomon's reign (c. 970-930 BCE) represented Israel's golden age of peace and prosperity.

Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.

Reflection Questions

  1. How does the temple as God's dwelling place help us understand Christ's incarnation and the church as God's temple today?
  2. What does Solomon's prayer and dedication teach about approaching God in worship and prayer?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 16 words
וַֽיהוָ֗ה1 of 16

“And the LORD”

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

נָתַ֤ן2 of 16

“gave”

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

חָכְמָה֙3 of 16

“wisdom”

H2451

wisdom (in a good sense)

שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה4 of 16

“Solomon”

H8010

shelomah, david's successor

כַּֽאֲשֶׁ֖ר5 of 16
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

דִּבֶּר6 of 16

“as he promised”

H1696

perhaps properly, to arrange; but used figuratively (of words), to speak; rarely (in a destructive sense) to subdue

ל֑וֹ7 of 16
H0
וַיְהִ֣י8 of 16
H1961

to exist, i.e., be or become, come to pass (always emphatic, and not a mere copula or auxiliary)

שָׁלֹ֗ם9 of 16

“him and there was peace”

H7965

safe, i.e., (figuratively) well, happy, friendly; also (abstractly) welfare, i.e., health, prosperity, peace

בֵּ֤ין10 of 16
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

חִירָם֙11 of 16

“between Hiram”

H2438

chiram or chirom, the name of two tyrians

וּבֵ֣ין12 of 16
H996

between (repeated before each noun, often with other particles); also as a conjunction, either...or

שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה13 of 16

“Solomon”

H8010

shelomah, david's successor

וַיִּכְרְת֥וּ14 of 16

“made”

H3772

to cut (off, down or asunder); by implication, to destroy or consume; specifically, to covenant (i.e., make an alliance or bargain, originally by cutt

בְרִ֖ית15 of 16

“a league”

H1285

a compact (because made by passing between pieces of flesh)

שְׁנֵיהֶֽם׃16 of 16

“and they two”

H8147

two; also (as ordinal) twofold

Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Kings 5:12 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Kings 5:12 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

1 Kings 3:12Amos 1:9Genesis 21:322 Chronicles 1:12James 1:51 Kings 15:19

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