We Could All Use a Friend like Hiram

Scripture Reading

1 Kings 5:1, 5-8, 10-11

Hiram, the king of Tyre, had always been David’s friend. When Hiram heard that Solomon had been made king in David’s place, he sent his messengers to Solomon.

5 “The Lord promised my father David, ‘I will make your son king after you, and he will build a temple for worshiping me.’ Now, I plan to build that temple for worshiping the Lord my God. 6 So send your men to cut down cedar trees for me from Lebanon. My servants will work with yours, and I will pay them whatever wages you decide. We don’t have anyone who can cut down trees as well as the people of Sidon.”

7 When Hiram heard what Solomon asked, he was very happy. He said, “Praise the Lord today! He has given David a wise son to rule over this great nation!” 8 Then Hiram sent back this message to Solomon: “I received the message you sent, and I will give you all the cedar and pine trees you want.

10 So Hiram gave Solomon as much cedar and pine as he wanted. 11 And Solomon gave Hiram about one hundred twenty-five thousand bushels of wheat each year to feed the people who lived with him. Solomon also gave him about one hundred fifteen thousand gallons of pure olive oil every year.

Devotional

1 Kings 5 is an exciting chapter that talks about Solomon building a temple for the Lord, but it’s also a really great model for friendship or any relationship. The first thing you read is that Hiram, who is a friend of David, hears that David’s son, Solomon, has been made king and he sends messengers immediately. He then learns Solomon is following God’s will in building the Lord a temple. So when Solomon invites Hiram to be a part of its construction, he is truly elated because he’s helping a friend and he’s contributing to God’s plan. Hiram responds with pure gladness, giving credit to God for giving his friend, David, a wise son to rule over the nation. He then offers Solomon as many trees as he needs. It is later mentioned that not only provided the trees, but the skilled laborers and craftsmen to help him with the construction. This is no small feat, over 100,000 laborers were involved the construction of the temple between Solomon and Hiram. Solomon also reciprocates that generosity by providing olive oil to Hiram’s nation every year.

I don’t know about you, but I feel like we could all use a friend like Hiram. Firstly, Hiram’s heart is God-centered and he shares not only enthusiasm and encouragement to his friend’s son, but when Solomon invites him to help with the lumber, he says “you know what Solomon, I’ll do you one better… I’ll send you not only all of the prized cedar and pine trees of Lebanon you need, but I’ll send you highly skilled laborers at every level to help you.” Why does Hiram do this? Because he is genuinely happy and excited for David and Solomon and his heart is centered on God’s plan. In other words, because something is both important to God and Solomon, it is also important to him because of the relationship he shares with God and the friendship he shares with David and Solomon.

The beautiful thing about God’s will is that it never fails and God wants to use people like you and me to be part of these master plans. It doesn’t have to be as intricate as building a temple. It could be as simple as offering to help prepare food for those in need or collect clothing for donation or sharing a post. Look for where God is working. Listen to what your friends, family, church members, and those around you are telling you God wants them to do and just offer to be a part of it. And of course, if God is calling you to do something, know that you cannot fail and he will bring you whatever resources you need to do what he’s calling you to do. God will never ask you to do something and then leave you high and dry. He wants you to step out and faith and be blown away by his blessings by sending you friends like Hiram along the way. Let’s pray.

Prayer

Father God, firstly, thank you for your love and also showing me what true friendship looks like. God, I pray that you help me to see where you are working and invite me to be a part of it where I can be most useful. I also pray that if there’s a specific calling you have for my life that you would prepare my heart and mind to receive it and give me the courage to follow through. Lord, I also pray that you would surround me with uplifting and encouraging people like Hiram and that you would also help me to be that kind of friend to others. In Jesus’ name, Amen.