King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 5:9 Mean?

1 Kings 5:9 in the King James Version says “My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 5 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

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. appoint: Heb. send

1 Kings 5:9 · KJV


Context

7

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.

8

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. considered: Heb. heard

9

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. appoint: Heb. send

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


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
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.

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. The temple represents God's dwelling among His people and foreshadows Christ as Immanuel ('God with us').

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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

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 · 25 words
עֲ֠בָדַי1 of 25

My servants

H5650

a servant

יֹרִ֨דוּ2 of 25

shall bring them down

H3381

to descend (literally, to go downwards; or conventionally to a lower region, as the shore, a boundary, the enemy, etc.; or figuratively, to fall); cau

מִן3 of 25
H4480

properly, a part of; hence (prepositionally), from or out of in many senses

הַלְּבָנ֜וֹן4 of 25

from Lebanon

H3844

lebanon, a mountain range in palestine

בַּיָּם֙5 of 25

them by sea

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

וַֽ֠אֲנִי6 of 25
H589

i

אֲשִׂימֵ֨ם7 of 25

and I will convey

H7760

to put (used in a great variety of applications, literal, figurative, inferentially, and elliptically)

דֹּֽבְר֤וֹת8 of 25

in floats

H1702

a raft

בַּיָּם֙9 of 25

them by sea

H3220

a sea (as breaking in noisy surf) or large body of water; specifically (with the article), the mediterranean sea; sometimes a large river, or an artif

עַֽד10 of 25
H5704

as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)

הַמָּק֞וֹם11 of 25

unto the place

H4725

properly, a standing, i.e., a spot; but used widely of a locality (general or specific); also (figuratively) of a condition (of body or mind)

אֲשֶׁר12 of 25
H834

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

תִּשְׁלַ֥ח13 of 25

that thou shalt appoint

H7971

to send away, for, or out (in a great variety of applications)

אֵלַ֛י14 of 25
H413

near, with or among; often in general, to

וְנִפַּצְתִּ֥ים15 of 25

me and will cause them to be discharged

H5310

to dash to pieces, or scatter

שָׁ֖ם16 of 25
H8033

there (transferring to time) then; often thither, or thence

וְאַתָּ֣ה17 of 25
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

תִשָּׂ֑א18 of 25

there and thou shalt receive

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

וְאַתָּה֙19 of 25
H859

thou and thee, or (plural) ye and you

תַּֽעֲשֶׂ֣ה20 of 25

them and thou shalt accomplish

H6213

to do or make, in the broadest sense and widest application

אֶת21 of 25
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

חֶפְצִ֔י22 of 25

my desire

H2656

pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence (by extension) a matter (as something in mind)

לָתֵ֖ת23 of 25

in giving

H5414

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

לֶ֥חֶם24 of 25

food

H3899

food (for man or beast), especially bread, or grain (for making it)

בֵּיתִֽי׃25 of 25

for my household

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)


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 5:9 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 5:9 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

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