13 Then King Solomon got together men for the forced work through all Israel, thirty thousand men in number; 14 And sent them to Lebanon in bands of ten thousand every month: for a month they were working in Lebanon and for two months in their country, and Adoniram was in control of them. 15 Then he had seventy thousand for the work of transport, and eighty thousand stone-cutters in the mountains; 16 In addition to the chiefs of the responsible men put by Solomon to oversee the work, three thousand and three hundred in authority over the workmen. 17 By the king's orders great stones, stones of high price, were cut out, so that the base of the house might be made of squared stone. 18 Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did the work of cutting them, and put edges on them, and got the wood and the stone ready for the building of the house.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on 1 Kings 5:13-18
Commentary on 1 Kings 5:10-18
(Read 1 Kings 5:10-18)
The temple was chiefly built by the riches and labour of Gentiles, which typified their being called into the church. Solomon commanded, and they brought costly stones for the foundation. Christ, who is laid for a Foundation, is a chosen and precious Stone. We should lay our foundation firm, and bestow most pains on that part of our religion which lies out of the sight of men. And happy those who, as lively stones, are built up a spiritual house, for a habitation of God through the Spirit. Who among us will build in the house of the Lord?