Today I read 1 Kings 5, in which Solomon prepares to build the temple by getting timber from Lebanon and stone from the mountain. Today I considered that uniting because of God can bring peace, collaboration, and understanding between nations and people.
Kingdoms Unite for God
Sometimes kingdoms unite toward a similar purpose like building the house of the Lord (1 Kings 5:1-18). Hiram, king of Tyre, reached out to Solomon after he was anointed king of Israel. Solomon responded and asked for cedar trees from Lebanon to build God a house, noting that no one can cut down a tree like the Sidonians. Hiram rejoiced at Solomon’s request and agreed to provide cedar and fir in exchange for food for his household. Solomon and Hiram had peace and made an agreement together. Solomon sent wheat and pure oil to Hiram. Solomon also sent 30,000 men to Lebanon to help with the timber. The men rotated with 10,000 staying for one month in Lebanon and then two months at home. Solomon also had men baring burdens and cutting stone for the foundation. Solomon’s and Hiram’s builders prepared the timber and stone to build the house. We can see that uniting for a similar purpose helped bring peace during that time and collaboration.
Questions and Thoughts for Today
Can you think of a time when you worked with a person to do something and it made you both understand each other and work together easier later?