מלכים א, פרק ה׳, פסוק כ״ב

The exchange between Hiram, the King of Tyre, and King Solomon regarding the supply of timber reveals a relationship built on mutual respect and unexpected generosity. Hiram responds to Solomon's request not just with a simple agreement, but with a plan that exceeds expectations. His acceptance reflects a profound understanding of Solomon's true intentions [מלבי״ם], as well as a complete willingness to grant the request [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. Hiram promises to fulfill absolutely everything Solomon desires. This commitment covers not only the explicit requests made by the king [מצודת דוד], but also the unspoken wishes in his heart regarding the transport of timber from Lebanon [מלבי״ם].

This generosity is clearly seen in the materials Hiram offers. Although Solomon initially asked only for cedar trees, Hiram takes the initiative to supply cypress wood as well, greatly expanding the scope of the delivery [מצודת דוד, רלב״ג].

Beneath this complete agreement, however, lies a subtle diplomatic adjustment regarding how the labor will be managed. Solomon had originally proposed that his own servants would work alongside Hiram's men to cut the trees. Hiram politely redefines these terms, taking full responsibility for the entire logging operation. He dictates that his workers alone will harvest the timber, move the logs down to the sea, bind them into rafts, and float them along the coast to the land of Israel. Once they arrive, Hiram's men will untie the rafts so that each log can be transported inland separately [אברבנאל, רלב״ג]. This clear division of labor is a practical matter of sovereignty, as the forests of Lebanon and the adjacent coastal waters fall exclusively under Hiram's territorial control [אברבנאל].