Illustration created for this project.
Hiram
What we know — and how we know it
Bible — stated in scripture (with verse) · 1
Ancient writers — non-biblical testimony · 1
Life, role & deeds
BibleKing of Tyre and friend to David and Solomon, who supplied cedar, craftsmen and gold for the Temple.
1 Kings 5:1–12
Scan by NYPL — Public domain (via Wikimedia Commons)
Ancient writersThe Tyrian royal annals, cited by Josephus, record Hiram's reign and his dealings with Solomon.
Josephus, Against Apion 1.106–127 (also Antiquities 8.144–149), quoting the Tyrian court archives via the Hellenistic historians Menander of Ephesus and Dius for Hiram's reign and his dealings with Solomon; a literary citation of now-lost annals rather than a surviving inscription
Where in scripture
1 KingsHiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the place of his father, and Hiram had always loved David.
1 Kings 5:1 — Supplies cedar
Scripture quotations are from the World English Bible, a public-domain translation.
In their own words — 2 recorded sayings
“And these words of Solomon made Hiram glad, and he said, Now may the Lord be praised who has given to David a wise son to be king over this great people. Then Hiram sent to Solomon, saying; The words you sent have been given to me: I will do all your desire in the question of cedar-wood and cypress-wood. My men will take them down from Lebanon to the sea, where I will have them corded together to go by sea to whatever place you say, and I will have them cut up there so that you may take them away; as for payment, it will be enough if you give me food for my people.” — 1 Kings 5:7-9
“And he said, What sort of towns are these which you have given me, my brother? So they were named the land of Cabul, to this day.” — 1 Kings 9:13
Speaker attribution: Clear Bible MACULA (CC BY 4.0). Wording: Bible in Basic English (public domain).
Places in their life
Photo: RomanDeckert — CC BY-SA 4.0 (via Wikimedia Commons)