1 Kings

1 Kings 5: The LORD gives rest

Begin in prayer

Before we read how Solomon prepares to build the LORD's house, let us come to the Lord in prayer. Ask Him to give our family rest in Him, and to show us Jesus, who calls the weary.

Oh give thanks to Yahweh, for he is good, for his loving kindness endures forever.

Psalm 118:29

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Show us that You give rest to Your people, and help us to trust You and Your Son, Jesus. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Hiram, king of Tyre, sends servants to Solomon, because he had always loved David. Solomon tells Hiram that David could not build the LORD's house, because wars surrounded him on every side. Now the LORD has given Solomon rest, so he asks for cedar and cypress timber from Lebanon. Hiram agrees, and Solomon sends wheat and oil to Hiram's household each year. Solomon raises thirty thousand men in shifts, along with many who carry burdens and cut stone for the foundation.

As you read 1 Kings 5, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

The LORD gives His people rest, so that His house can be built.

David could not build the LORD's house, because wars surrounded him until the LORD put his enemies under his feet (verse 3). Solomon says that the LORD has now given him rest on every side, with no enemy and no evil occurrence (verse 4). That rest came before the building. The building then began because the LORD had promised David that his son would build the house for His name (verse 5). So the temple started as a gift, and not as Solomon's achievement. Hiram of Tyre, who had loved David, blessed the LORD who had given David a wise son (verses 1 and 7). The LORD gave Solomon wisdom as He promised, and the two kings made a treaty (verse 12). The work was heavy, with thirty thousand men raised from Israel and many more who carried and cut stone (verses 13 to 18). Jesus invites the weary to come to Him for rest (Matthew 11 verse 28).

How does 1 Kings 5 show us that the LORD gives His people rest, so that His house can be built?

The LORD gives Solomon rest on every side.

David had fought wars on every side, until the LORD put his enemies under his feet (verse 3). Solomon says that now the LORD has given him rest, with no enemy around him (verse 4). Because of that rest, Solomon could build the house (verse 5).

Hiram and Solomon work together for the LORD's house.

Hiram had always loved David, and he rejoiced at Solomon's message (verses 1 and 7). He agreed to send cedar and cypress timber by sea (verses 8 and 9). Solomon paid him with wheat and oil each year (verse 11). The two kings made a treaty, and the LORD gave Solomon wisdom (verse 12).

Jesus gives rest to those who come to Him.

Solomon's rest was a rest from his enemies, and it gave him time to build. Jesus invites all who are weary and burdened to come to Him, and He promises them rest (Matthew 11 verse 28). He says they will find rest for their souls (Matthew 11 verse 29).

Memorise

But now Yahweh my God has given me rest on every side. There is no enemy and no evil occurrence.

1 Kings 5:4

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, do I bring my worries to God, and do I come to Jesus for rest?

Solomon had rest on every side, because the LORD gave it to him. Jesus tells the weary and burdened to come to Him, and He gives a rest that no king could give.

The heaviest burden we carry is sin, and no peace in the land can lift it. Jesus took that burden to the cross, and He paid the debt of His people's sin with His own life. He was buried, and God raised Him on the third day. His sacrifice never needs to be offered again.

So come to Him, turn from your sin, and put your trust in Jesus. He gives rest to your soul, and He will not send away the weary who come to Him.

Parent's note

Tell your children that the LORD gives rest, and that Jesus calls sinners to come to Him for rest. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for the rest He gives, and bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.

1 Peter 5:7

Father, thank You for giving rest to Your people. Thank You for Jesus, who calls weary sinners to come to Him. Give each of us grace to turn from our sin and trust Jesus. Help us to bring our worries to You this week, and give us hearts that rest in You. Amen.