1 Kings 9:10

“And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, etc.] From the time Solomon first began to build: when Solomon had built the two houses, the house of the Lord, and the king’s house; the first was seven years in building, and the other thirteen; in all twenty.”

“THE MUTUAL PRESENTS OF SOLOMON AND HIRAM. (Kg1 9:10-23) at the end of twenty years--Seven and a half years were spent in building the temple, and twelve and a half or thirteen in the erection of his palace (Kg1 7:1; Ch2 8:1). This verse is only a recapitulation of Kg1 9:1, necessary to recover the thread of connection in the narrative.”

“The “twenty years” are to be counted from the fourth year of Solomon, the year when he commenced the building of the temple. They are made up of the seven years employed in the work of the temple 1 Kings 6:38, and the thirteen years during which Solomon was building his own house 1 Kings 7:1. return to 'Top of Page'”

“9:10-14 In Solomon’s business agreement with King Hiram, he exchanged wheat and olive oil for timber and gold (5:10-11). When Solomon became indebted to Hiram, he gave him twenty towns in . . . Galilee as compensation. However, Hiram was dissatisfied with the towns, so he returned them to Solomon’s control (see 2 Chr 8:2). The two friends settled upon other means of compensation and remained active allies and trading partners (1 Kgs 9:26-28; 10:22).”

“at the end of twenty: Kg1 9:1, Kg1 6:37, Kg1 6:38, Kg1 7:1; 2Chr. 8:1-18 3 Kings (1 Kings) 9:11”

“The Means by which the Buildings were Erected. - In order that all which still remained to be said concerning Solomon's buildings might be grouped together, different notices are introduced here, namely, as to his relation to Hiram, the erection of several fortresses, and the tributary labour, and also as to his maritime expeditions; and these heterogeneous materials are so arranged as to indicate the resources which enabled Solomon to erect so many and such magnificent buildings. These resources were: (1) his connection with king Hiram, who furnished him with building materials ( Kg1 9:10-14); (2) the tributary labour which he raised in his kingdom ( Kg1 9:15-25); (3) the maritime…”