IT IS GOOD TO BE KING
After the Jebusites were conquered, David took up residence inside the fortress of Zion. He began to build up the area. David started with the terraces and worked inward. Since God was with David, everything he set his hand to do was successful. This new King was determined to be ruling God’s way.
At the same time that David was King over Israel, Hiram I was the Phoenician King of Tyre. He reigned over Tyre for approximately 980 to 947 BC. This was a time-span of 33 years, though some sources say 53 years. This gets confusing at times because there were two Kings named Hiram, a father and a son who were known as Hiram I and Hiram II.
When Hiram I first began to reign, Tyre was only a small town. At the peak of Hiram’s reign Tyre was greatly expanded. The thriving city grew into the most important city of Phoenicia. It expanded into a very large and prosperous trading empire.
ALIANCE WITH TYRE
Because of his city being extremely important to world trade, Hiram I realized he needed to be friends with the King of Israel. He was often in Israel because most of the major trade routes traveled through the land of Israel. With this in mind, King Hiram became a quick ally to Israel and a friend to King David.
The two men were very different. However, they didn’t let their differences in religion, culture and politics interfere with their friendship. They had one great desire in common. Both wanted peace and prosperity for their people. The two did not agree on religious matters at all, but they respected one another. Both parties desired to live in peace. With this in mind they cooperated with each other. This friendly cooperation was beneficial to all. Tyre was rich with many of the things King David needed for his Kingdom.
HAVING GOOD ALLIES
As David began to set up the Kingdom in Jerusalem, Hiram sent messengers to David who provided skilled artisans and the best of materials for building David’s palace. Of course, he also offered profitable trade to Israel. Tyre was known for the production of cedar and purple dye. They were also skilled ship builders. In exchange for such things, Israel provided Tyre with their natural resources. These included wheat, barley, olive oil and wine.
It was a good partnership. Hiram’s men brought cedar logs from Lebanon, able carpenters and skilled stonemasons. These people and supplies helped to build a kingly palace where David would live.
David was confident that God chose him as King. He felt these allies were provided by the hand of God working through others which helped him to establish and grow his great Kingdom. King Hiram was one of many people God used to help David. He was the most generous. All of David’s work was accomplished with the sake of The People of Israel in mind. King David had learned how to be a good and diplomatic leader. He welcomed allies like King Hiram who wished to prosper Israel as well as be compensated with good trade.
A TIME OF PROSPERITY
This arrangement between Israel and Tyre worked perfectly during the reign of David. It continued for a long, long time and even into the reign of Solomon. There will be much more information about King Hiram I and II and Tyre later. This will be expanded when we get into the lessons on Solomon.
What could go wrong? During this time period of David’s life everything flourished. However, if you study the later history of these Phoenicians you might be shocked to find that Tyre was eventually destroyed.
THE HISTORY OF TYRE
If you get the chance to study the history of Tyre, it is a very interesting study. Many nations contributed to the later decay of the great city of Tyre, especially Nebuchadnezzar and Alexander The Great. In these later times this ancient city was cast into the sea. It has never been rebuilt.
Ezekiel gave a well-known prophecy of these events long before they happened. This chapter is often used as proof of how God guided His great prophets. You can read about the prophecy concerning Tyre in Ezekiel Chapter 26.
Eventually things went down for Tyre exactly as Ezekiel prophesied. However, there were over two millennium of very prosperous years for Tyre. This prosperity of Tyre was perfectly timed and worked beautifully in David’s favor.
PRAYER: Lord, teach us through the life of David. He was determined to rule for the good of the people. Help us to always consider the welfare of those of our nation. Teach us to be gracious and merciful to other cultures who do not think like us, yet desire peace and prosperity for all. Perhaps our nation could learn how to set the example for others and they could see You in us. Never let us become too proud or arrogant as eventually happened with Tyre. May we always remember that without You we are nothing. Help us to always be humble, kind, merciful and gracious toward all people. Thank you for sending good allies our way when they are needed. Show us how to live righteously in the land where you have planted us. Thank you for always going before us. Amen