And Hiram sent his servants
Hiram, the king of Tyre, was a significant ally of King Solomon. This alliance was crucial for Solomon's building projects, including the temple. Hiram's cooperation with Israel highlights the political and economic relationships between Israel and its neighboring nations. Tyre was known for its skilled craftsmen and seafarers, which made Hiram's contribution invaluable.

sailors who knew the sea
The Phoenicians, of whom the people of Tyre were a part, were renowned for their maritime skills. Their expertise in navigation and shipbuilding was unmatched in the ancient world. This phrase underscores the importance of specialized knowledge and skills in achieving successful ventures, such as Solomon's trading expeditions.

to serve in the fleet
The fleet mentioned here refers to the ships used for trade and exploration. Solomon's fleet, with the help of Hiram's sailors, embarked on voyages that expanded Israel's trade networks. This collaboration allowed Israel to access wealth and resources from distant lands, contributing to Solomon's prosperity.

with Solomon’s servants
This cooperation between Hiram's and Solomon's servants symbolizes the unity and shared purpose between the two kingdoms. It reflects the broader theme of collaboration and partnership in achieving common goals. The integration of different groups working together can be seen as a precursor to the New Testament's message of unity in the body of Christ, where diverse members work together for the kingdom of God.

1. Hiram
The king of Tyre, a friend and ally of King Solomon. Hiram was known for his skilled craftsmen and seamen, and he played a significant role in providing materials and labor for Solomon's building projects, including the temple.

2. Solomon
The king of Israel, renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and extensive building projects. Solomon's reign was marked by peace and prosperity, and he established strong trade networks.

3. Servants of Hiram
Skilled seamen from Tyre, known for their expertise in navigation and maritime activities. They were sent to assist Solomon in his naval endeavors.

4. Servants of Solomon
Israelites who worked alongside Hiram's men in the fleet. This collaboration highlights the partnership between Israel and Tyre.

5. The Fleet
A naval enterprise initiated by Solomon to expand trade and acquire wealth. The fleet was based at Ezion-Geber, near the Red Sea, and was instrumental in Solomon's economic expansion.The Value of Alliances
Godly alliances can lead to mutual benefits and the fulfillment of God's purposes. Solomon's partnership with Hiram demonstrates the importance of choosing allies wisely.

The Importance of Expertise
Utilizing the skills and expertise of others can lead to greater success. Solomon's willingness to incorporate Hiram's experienced seamen into his fleet shows the value of collaboration.

God's Provision through Relationships
God often provides for His people through relationships and partnerships. The alliance between Solomon and Hiram was a means of God's provision for Israel's prosperity.

Wisdom in Leadership
Effective leadership involves recognizing and leveraging the strengths of others. Solomon's decision to work with Hiram's men reflects his wisdom in governance.

The Role of Trade and Commerce
Trade and commerce can be tools for expanding influence and prosperity. Solomon's fleet was a means of extending Israel's reach and wealth, showing the potential of economic endeavors when aligned with God's will.(27) Shipmen that had knowledge of the sea.--The Tyrians were known far and wide as the great sailors both of the Mediterranean and the seas beyond it, till they were rivalled and superseded by their own colonists in Carthage and by the Greeks. How greatly their seamanship, their commerce, and their civilisation impressed the imagination of Israel, is shown in the magnificent chapters of Ezekiel on the fate of Tyre (Ezekiel 26-28). The Israelites, on the contrary, had but little care for the sea, and little knowledge of seamanship. The coast line of Palestine is but scantily furnished with harbours; and even at the height of their power they were content to use the maritime skill of the Tyrians, without encroaching upon their commerce or attempting to seize their famous ports. This was natural; for their call to be a peculiar and separate people was absolutely incompatible with maritime enterprise and commerce. Even in this attempt at maritime expedition under Tyrian guidance, Solomon's action was, as in other points, exceptional, departing from Israelite tradition; and we hear of no similar enterprise, except in the age of Ahab and Jehoshaphat, when the intermarriage of the royal houses of Israel and Ph?nicia renewed the close connection with Tyre (1Kings 22:48; 2Chronicles 20:35). We observe, accordingly, that the sea is mostly regarded in the Old Testament in its terrible power of wave and storm, restrained from destroying only by the Almighty hand of God; and even the one psalm (Psalm 107:23-31), which describes the seafarer's experience, dwells with awe on "God's wonders in the deep." In the description of the glory of "the new heaven and earth" of the hereafter, it is declared with emphasis that "there was no more sea" (Revelation 21:1).

Verse 27. - And Hiram sent in the navy his servants, shipmen that had knowledge of the sea with the servants of Solomon. [The chronicler states (2 Chronicles 8:18) that he sent ships as well as servants, and it has been thought that ships were transported, in parts or entire, by land across the Isthmus of Suez, and there are certainly instances on record of the land transport of fleets. (Keil reminds us that Alexander the Great, according to Arrian, had snips transported - in pieces - from Phoenicia to the Euphrates, and that, according to Thucydides (Bell. Pelop. 4:8) the Peloponnesians conveyed 60 ships from Corcyra across the Leucadian Isthmus, etc.) But this, especially when the state of engineering science, etc., among the Hebrews is taken into account, is hardly to be thought cf. It is quite possible, however, that timber for shipbuilding was floated on the Mediterranean down to the river of Egypt, or some such place, and then transported either to Suez or to Akaba. Probably all that the chronicler means is that Hiram provided the materials and had the ships built. The Israelites, having hitherto had no fleet, and little or no experience of the sea, were unable to construct ships for themselves. And the Tyrians may have seen in the construction of a fleet for eastern voyages, an opening for the extension of their own maritime trade. Possibly in the first voyages Tyriaus and Jews were copartners.]

Parallel Commentaries ...


And Hiram
חִירָ֤ם (ḥî·rām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2438: Hiram -- a Benjamite, also two Arameans (Syrians)

sent
וַיִּשְׁלַ֨ח (way·yiš·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

his servants,
עֲבָדָ֔יו (‘ă·ḇā·ḏāw)
Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant

men
אַנְשֵׁ֣י (’an·šê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 582: Man, mankind

who knew
יֹדְעֵ֖י (yō·ḏə·‘ê)
Verb - Qal - Participle - masculine plural construct
Strong's 3045: To know

the sea,
הַיָּ֑ם (hay·yām)
Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 3220: A sea, the Mediterranean Sea, large river, an artifical basin

[to serve] in the fleet
בָּֽאֳנִי֙ (bā·’o·nî)
Preposition-b | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 590: Ships, a fleet

with
עִ֖ם (‘im)
Preposition
Strong's 5973: With, equally with

Solomon’s
שְׁלֹמֹֽה׃ (šə·lō·mōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8010: Solomon -- David's son and successor to his throne

servants.
עַבְדֵ֥י (‘aḇ·ḏê)
Noun - masculine plural construct
Strong's 5650: Slave, servant


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OT History: 1 Kings 9:27 Hiram sent in the navy his servants (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)