This question was attempted by a large number of candidates, who mostly did not seem to have a proper understanding of the story of King Hiram from the beginning. They failed to mention David’s aspiration to build the temple before his death and how Hiram cut and shipped timber through the Mediterranean Sea to Lebanon. The inadequacies prevented the candidates from obtaining high marks in the question. Candidates should have answered the question by giving some of the following points:
(a) KING HIRAM’S ROLE TOWARDS THE BUILDING OF THE TEMPLE (1 KINGS 5:1 – 12)
- King Hiram of Tyre was a friend of David.
- He sent congratulatory message to Solomon upon hearing of Solomon’s succession to David.
- Solomon in turn sent word to Hiram about David’s unsuccessful attempts to build the temple because of wars that faced him.
- David’s initiatives included the acquisition of the land for the site and arrangements for the supply of timber from Phoenicia.
- Solomon decided to build the temple in fulfillment of his father’s
aspirations.
- Thus Solomon, after introducing himself to Hiram, had a treaty of
friendship to forge peace and unity.
- Solomon then made a request for the sale of cedar and cypress wood to him by Hiram.
- He further requested that the servants of the king of Tyre work together with his servants as he was prepared to pay them.
- Hiram agreed and decided to have his servants cut the woods into rafts and gets them for shipping down the Mediterranean sea to Lebanon.
- And when this was done, Solomon was to pay by supplying food for the king’s household.
- Thus Hiram supplied Solomon with all the timber of cedars and cypress wood desired while Solomon gave Hiram wheat and oil.
- The building of the temple provided a proper religious centre for the
worship of Yahweh in Israel.
- Benefits of making friends
- it promotes love and peace.
- it provides support for one another in times of need/mutual co-operation.
- it encourages shared responsibility/teaming up to do things.
- it promotes trust, faithfulness and commitment.
- it opens up job opportunities.
- it offers expertise knowledge/skills etc.
- it offers protection/defence and security.
- it promotes companionship
