1043 B. C.] "And Hiram king of Tyre sent messengers to David,—and cedar trees, [from Lebanon] and carpenters and masons; and they built David a house." (i. e. Palace.) [2 Samuel v. 11, 12.]
In the Hebrew the word "masons" is defined to be "hewers of the stone of the wall,"—i. e. Sculptors:—the common workmen are identified by a term, as expressive as can be desired for illustrating the rudiment of the art,—viz., stone-squarers. [1 Kings v. 18.]
"And Hiram's builders did hew them, and the stone-SQUARERS."
For two years previous to the death of the warlike David, he gathered material for building the Temple of Jerusalem, which by Prophecy was to be erected by his son Solomon, [i. e. the peaceable]—for no Sovereign whose life had been passed in the battle-field, and amid scenes of warfare and carnage, could erect (except in mockery) a Temple to The Peaceful GOD. During this period David commanded that the Sculptors, who were "strangers" in the land of Israel, should be gathered for the purpose of commencing the Sculpture for the great edifice. These "strangers" were, without doubt, Tyrians. They had furnished Cedar for the building, and they were, also, the skilful artists to work in all kinds of metals. This calling forth of foreign artists to build and decorate The Temple, is a conclusive proof that the Israelites were not practical Architects or Sculptors. The Tyrians had already built for David his regal Palace at Jerusalem, and were, therefore, naturally received with every courtesy by the Israelites, and many probably remained in the country. In illustration of the previous remarks, the following extracts are given from the 1st Book of Chronicles [ch. xii.]:
"And David commanded to gather together the strangers that were in the land of Israel: and he set masons to hew wrought stones to build the house of God" (i. e. The Temple).
From this quotation it would appear that the stones were "wrought," or put into shape, by common workmen of Israel (i. e. the "Stone-squarers"); and thus subsequently the "Strangers" (i. e. Tyrians) were to "hew" the stones—i. e. Sculpture them. David gathered material of all metals,—and the only wood he obtained appears to have been the Cedar from Lebanon, and for this he was indebted to the Tyrians.
"Also cedar trees in abundance: for the Sidonians and they of Tyre brought much cedar wood to David."
The following is part of David's address to Solomon, and refers to the accomplished Tyrians, as will be shewn hereafter.
"Timber [cedar] and Stone have I prepared: and thou mayst add thereto. Moreover there are workmen with thee in abundance, hewers and workers of stone and timber, and all manner of cunning [i. e. skilful] men for every manner of work."
1015 B. C.] Hiram of Tyrus had reigned 31 years when David died. Solomon having been anointed King during the last year of his father's life, was already in possession of the regal power. Upon the ascension of the "wise" Sovereign of Jerusalem, the Monarch of the Tyrians instantly sent ambassadors to congratulate him on the event.