1 Kings 5:18, commentary and pictures

Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders worked together with the stonesquarers to hew stones and prepare timber and stones for building the house, which was the temple. The preparation included hewing great, costly, hewed stones for the foundation. The stones were fully shaped, squared, and polished at the quarry before being brought to the building site, so they could be set in place there without further shaping or work on them.

The work was carried out by thousands of workmen in harmonious action under acknowledged heads and master workmen set over certain parts of the work. Although some of those leaders were not of Israel's nation or religion, all the workers consented to obey them with no strikes, rebellion, or dissatisfaction, while God controlled even the elements so the work went on peacefully and harmoniously. The timber and stones were prepared with accurate, skilful labor by men who felt the greatness of the work, fashioning every stone to match the place it was to fit, so that when the parts were brought together they fitted with exactness by careful workmanship and not by special miracle.

Those who held it taught that Solomon going to other nations for workmen to build the temple, although God had promised to bless him if he would follow right ways, was a departure from the right and an idolatrous connection with the world that greatly displeased God. As Solomon was blessed while he kept separate from the world, so blessing comes while remaining a distinct people. The same united, obedient, careful, and faithful labor is the pattern for building a house for God now, with every man and woman, old and young, arising to build and bringing gifts and donations despite trying times as to means. This is done in order to work the works of God and secure His blessing for His glory and their own good.