מלכים א, פרק ה׳, פסוק כ״ה

The economic and political alliance between the Kingdom of Israel and the Kingdom of Tyre is highlighted by the generous payment Solomon provides to Hiram in exchange for the timber used to build the Temple. This compensation goes far beyond a simple trade agreement. It is marked by a massive quantity of goods, extraordinary quality, and a steady supply, reflecting Solomon's vast wealth and his commitment to his allies. The provisions are meant specifically to sustain Hiram's personal royal household. This royal allowance is entirely separate from the wages Solomon pays directly to Hiram's laborers who actually cut down the trees [רלב״ג].

Solomon's generosity is especially evident in the details of the trade. Originally, Hiram only requested a supply of wheat as a single payment. However, when Hiram exceeded expectations by supplying cypress wood in addition to what was asked, Solomon responded in kind. On his own initiative, he added an offering of exceptionally pure olive oil [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל]. The commentators agree that this oil is of the highest possible grade, identical to the pure oil used to light the Menorah in the Tabernacle. Its superior quality stems from how it is made. Instead of grinding the olives in a standard mill, they are carefully pounded by hand in a mortar. This manual method extracts only the finest first drops of oil, leaving behind far less sediment and waste than standard pressing [רש״י, רלב״ג, שטיינזלץ].

Regarding how long this arrangement lasts, the primary approach among commentators is that the annual supply continued throughout the entire period that Hiram's men worked in the forests and Solomon's construction projects were underway [רד״ק, מצודת דוד, שטיינזלץ]. In contrast, another perspective suggests that Solomon provided this food to Hiram every year for the rest of his life. According to this view, the endless supply is not merely a payment for goods, but a display of Solomon's power and honor. By providing a permanent allowance, Solomon essentially places a foreign king at his own table, supporting him much like a master provides for a servant [אברבנאל].