The last verse of the chapter gives us a summary of the work of the preparation of the building materials. The writer mentions three groups: Solomon’s builders, Hiram’s builders, and the men of Gebal.
This last group had not received mention before. They were probably from Byblos, a city north of Sidon that was under Hiram’s control.
If we remember the words of our Lord, My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations
(Mark 11:17), it should come as no surprise to us that Gentiles are utilized in the preparation for its construction. It is a glimpse of the worldwide nature of God’s covenant of grace.
18 So Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders and the men of Gebal did the cutting and prepared the timber and the stone to build the house.