2 Samuel 5:11

“And Hiram king of Tyre, etc.] This was father of that Hiram that lived in the times of Solomon, whose name was Abibalus before he took the name of Hiram, which became a common name of the kings of Tyre; his former name may be seen in the ancient historians quoted by Josephus f95 ; of the city of Tyre, (see Gill on “<232301>Isaiah 23:1”); which was built one year before the destruction of Troy f96. This king, on hearing of David’s being acknowledged king by all Israel, and of his taking Jerusalem out of the hands of the Jebusites, sent messengers to David; to congratulate him upon all this: and cedar trees, and carpenters, and masons; these might not be sent at first, but David intending to…”

“Hiram . . . sent carpenters, and masons--The influx of Tyrian architects and mechanics affords a clear evidence of the low state to which, through the disorders of long-continued war, the better class of artisans had declined in Israel.”

“Hiram king of Tyre - Now mentioned for the first time. He survived David, and continued his friendship to Solomon (marginal references). The news of the capture of the city of the Jebusites had doubtless reached Tyre, and created a great impression of David’s power. return to 'Top of Page'”

“5:11 Hiram of Tyre: Although the meeting of these two neighboring kings is reported just after Jerusalem’s conquest, it probably happened much later. Hiram remained on the throne in Tyre at least until Solomon’s twenty-fourth year, and one ancient source notes that he had a reign of thirty-four years. Another tradition implies that Hiram became king of Tyre just eight years before Solomon became king of Israel. The same king performed a similar act for Solomon (1 Kgs 5:1-18). The report of Hiram’s support is perhaps given here because it ties in with the theme of David’s confirmation and establishment as Israel’s king (2 Sam 5:12).”

“Hiram: Kg1 5:1, Kg1 5:2, Kg1 5:8, Kg1 5:9; Ch1 14:1 masons: Heb. hewers of the stone of the wall they built: Sa2 7:2; Kg1 7:1-12; Ecc 2:4-11; Jer 22:14-16 2 Kings (2 Samuel) 5:12”

“David's Palace, Wives and Children (comp. Ch1 14:1-7). \- King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to David, and afterwards, by the express desire of the latter, cedar-wood and builders, carpenters and stone-masons, who built him a house, i.e., a palace. Hiram (Hirom in Kg1 5:2; Huram in the Chronicles; lxx Χειράμ; Josephus, Εἴραμος and Εἴρωμος), king of Tyre, was not only an ally of David, but of his son Solomon also. He sent to the latter cedar-wood and builders for the erection of the temple and of his own palace ( Kg1 5:8.; Ch2 2:2.), and fitted out a mercantile fleet in conjunction with him ( Kg1 9:27-28; Ch2 9:10); in return for which, Solomon not only sent him an annual supply of corn,…”