1 Kings Chapter 5 · Verse 17
And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.
Original Language Analysis
וַיַּסִּעוּ֩
and they brought
H5265
וַיַּסִּעוּ֩
and they brought
Strong's:
H5265
Word #:
3 of 11
properly, to pull up, especially the tent-pins, i.e., start on a journey
לְיַסֵּ֥ד
to lay the foundation
H3245
לְיַסֵּ֥ד
to lay the foundation
Strong's:
H3245
Word #:
8 of 11
to set (literally or figuratively); intensively, to found; reflexively, to sit down together, i.e., settle, consult
Cross References
1 Chronicles 22:2And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel; and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God.1 Kings 6:7And the house, when it was in building, was built of stone made ready before it was brought thither: so that there was neither hammer nor axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house, while it was in building.
Historical Context
First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Solomon's reign (c. 970-930 BCE) represented Israel's golden age of peace and prosperity.
Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.
Questions for Reflection
- How does the temple as God's dwelling place help us understand Christ's incarnation and the church as God's temple today?
- What does Solomon's prayer and dedication teach about approaching God in worship and prayer?
- How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?
Analysis & Commentary
And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.
This verse contributes to the broader narrative of preparations for building the temple, within the book's focus on Solomon's wisdom, temple building, and tragic apostasy. The temple represents God's dwelling among His people and foreshadows Christ as Immanuel ('God with us').
The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.