And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the Lord this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people. (1 Kings 5:7)
This is an unusual response from a king of Tyre. Through his contacts with David and Solomon, Hiram had heard of the God of the Hebrews. The name of Jehovah at this time came to be honored by many of the neighbors of Israel, and the principles of His law and government came to be better understood. Barriers were broken down and conversions took place. There is no evidence, however, that Hiram himself became a worshiper of Jehovah or that his present answer gave evidence of a basic change in his religious beliefs. The words seem rather to be those of deference to the God of Israel, whom Hiram now acknowledged to have “made heaven and earth” (2 Chron. 2:12).
Rejoiced greatly.
There seems to have been a genuine friendship between Hiram and Solomon, going back, no doubt, to the sincere friendship between Hiram and David. Hiram’s answer to Solomon’s request is given more fully in 2 Chron. 2:11-16.