Introduction: Covenant Kingship and Political Dialogue
1 Kings 5:16 p introduces a pivotal moment of international diplomacy: King Shelomoh initiates correspondence with King Ḥiram of Tsor (Tyre) to request assistance in building the temple. The verse is brief, yet the syntax establishes a formal and royal tone, using standard diplomatic conventions rooted in prophetic narrative style:
וַיִּשְׁלַ֣ח שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה אֶל־חִירָ֖ם לֵאמֹֽר׃
And Shelomoh sent to Ḥiram, saying:
This succinct verse serves as the formulaic opening of a longer unit of royal correspondence (vv. 16–26 Heb.; vv. 1–12 Eng.). The grammatical structure prepares the reader for extended direct speech and formal negotiation, mirroring ancient Near Eastern epistolary style.
Grammatical Feature Analysis: Wayyiqtol Verb, Indirect Object, and Infinitive Direct Speech Marker
The verse begins with the wayyiqtol verb וַיִּשְׁלַח (“and he sent”), from the root שׁ־ל־ח. This verbal form situates the action narratively, marking a new episode in the reign of Shelomoh. The subject שְׁלֹמֹה follows the verb for emphasis.
The preposition אֶל introduces the recipient: אֶל־חִירָם (“to Ḥiram”), king of Tsor. This recipient-object structure is common in biblical diplomatic formulas (cf. 2 Sam. 10:2; 1 Kgs. 15:19), where direct contact is initiated for alliance or aid.
The word לֵאמֹר (infinitive construct of אָמַר, “to say”) functions as a direct speech marker, introducing the content of the message in the subsequent verses. This infinitive does not carry tense but introduces the extended quotation, often used in narrative when reporting speech verbatim.
This structure—וַיִּשְׁלַח… לֵאמֹר—is widely used in biblical texts to set up recorded speech (cf. Gen. 32:4; Josh. 10:6). It both initiates dialogue and gives narrative pause, preparing the reader for the literary weight of what follows.
Exegetical Implications: Diplomacy, Temple Theology, and Political Theology
This verse marks not just a political alliance but a theological moment. Shelomoh, the temple builder, is portrayed as acting with divinely sanctioned initiative, reaching out to a Gentile king not in war but in peace. The diplomacy that follows will result in the acquisition of cedars, skilled workers, and a binding covenant of cooperation (vv. 20–26 Heb.).
The brevity of the verse enhances its formality. No message content is given yet; instead, the syntax establishes solemnity and intent. The act of וַיִּשְׁלַח… לֵאמֹר suggests not casual conversation but a formal missive—perhaps carried by envoys, reflecting standard ancient Near Eastern protocols.
Theologically, this verse prepares the ground for international participation in Israel’s sanctuary. The building of the House of YHWH will include foreign labor and resources—a subtle sign of the kingdom’s global horizon and Shelomoh’s wisdom.
Cross-Linguistic and Literary Parallels
Royal correspondence from Ugarit, Mari, and Egypt often begins with formulae like: “X sent to Y, saying…,” followed by stylized blessings and petitions. The Hebrew structure וַיִּשְׁלַח… לֵאמֹר mirrors this diplomatically standardized form.
The Septuagint reflects this: καὶ ἀπέστειλεν Σαλωμὼν πρὸς Χειρὰμ λέγων, translating both the sending and the direct speech introduction verbatim, preserving the two-stage syntax of diplomacy.
Theological and Literary Significance: Words that Build
This single verse is more than a speech tag—it represents the opening of a theological partnership. The House of YHWH will be built not in isolation but through a web of political wisdom and spiritual vision. The grammatical construction וַיִּשְׁלַח… לֵאמֹר is the hinge between intention and realization, human initiative and divine dwelling.
Sent and Spoken: The Syntax of Sacred Diplomacy in 1 Kings 5:16
1 Kings 5:16 may appear simple, but its syntax reveals a highly stylized and theologically loaded moment. Through a standard diplomatic formula, the verse initiates the building of the temple—one of the central acts of Shelomoh’s reign. Grammar thus becomes the instrument of sacred construction: a message sent, a word spoken, a house soon to rise.
