“Hiram king of Tzor sent envoys to David with cedar logs, and with them were carpenters and stonemasons; and they built David a palace.”-2 Samuel 5:11
Today I wanna examine David’s relationship with the Phoenicians.
When we read verse 11, it seems pretty darn obvious he was on good terms with them.
But why?
Well, first of all, there were huge economic benefits to be had from this business relationship.
Hiram, King of Tyre (Tzor), was a Phoenician.
Tyre was an important city in Phoenicia populated by an ancient group of Semites who lived in what is now Lebanon and parts of Syria and Israel.
They were known for their maritime trade, craftsmanship, and advanced construction techniques, including their expertise in working with cedar wood and stone.
In 2 Samuel 5:11, we’re told Hiram sent cedar wood, builders, and stoneworkers to help King David build his palace.
This collaboration reflects the Phoenicians’ renowned skills and their willingness to form alliances with neighboring kingdoms.
In return, Israel’s wine and olive oil were highly prized, so it made sense for Phoenicia to ally with Israel too.
Here’s the takeaway.
Sometimes, it’s smart to team up with people who might not always have our best interests at heart in the long run—just like David did with King Hiram of Phoenicia.
David saw that working with Hiram brought huge benefits, like getting help to build his palace and trading valuable goods.
Even though the Phoenicians might not have been loyal forever, the deal made sense for David at the time.
Today, leaders like Benjamin Netanyahu do the same thing.
They make alliances because they know the short-term benefits can be advantageous, even if the long-term isn’t clear.
And you too also have to be strategic in your dealings with other people – whether in the workplace or otherwise.
Ya feel me?
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