And Hiram, king of Tyre, sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king, in the room of his father; for Hiram was ever a lover of David. I KINGS v. 1.
Kings were kings in those days. To be sure their countries were small, but the royal sway was undisputed. Solomon was the new and magnificent ruler of Israel, in a country as large as our New Hampshire, and like it in shape. Hiram ruled in Tyre, a still smaller kingdom, also on the Mediterranean seacoast, towards the north. In comparison with Israel, Tyre was about like Rhode Island in comparison with Massachusetts.
Hiram loved David; that is, he was his vassal, as Bulgaria hangs upon Russia. They were allies while it suited them. When Hiram heard that David was gone, he sent his servants (in our day we should call them commissioners) to interview the new monarch, already renowned for his wisdom, renew the amity between the two principalities, and secure continued peace with this powerful neighbor. Solomon was glad to see Hiram's messengers, because he craved the help of the Tyrians in a great work, the building of the grand Temple to Jehovah.
