13 King Solomon raised a workforce of 30,000 men from all over Israel. 14 He sent them in shifts of 10,000 each month to the Lebanon forest; they would work a month in Lebanon and then be at home two months. Adoniram was in charge of the work crew. 15 Solomon also had 70,000 unskilled workers and another 80,000 stonecutters up in the hills 16 - plus 3,300 foremen managing the project and supervising the work crews. 17 Following the king's orders, they quarried huge blocks of the best stone - dressed stone for the foundation of The Temple. 18 Solomon and Hiram's construction workers, assisted by the men of Gebal, cut and prepared the timber and stone for building The Temple.
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?