Why does it say that Chiram heard Shlomo's words?
Malbim: He understood that Shlomo wants more than he requested. If he merely wanted workers, he would not need to say that David was not able to build the Beis ha'Mikdash! He wanted also the cedars and Beroshim in Levanon near Tzor, which were better [than those in Eretz Yisrael] and in great abundance.
Did Chiram realize only now that Shlomo is a Chacham?
Malbim: Yes, because he requested only a small matter, which is proper according to Musar and etiquette, in a way that Chiram will understand that he should offer all that Shlomo wants. 1 Malbim (Divrei ha'Yamim II, 2:10) - also, Shlomo only hinted that he wants help also to build his own house, since he initially asked only for help to build Beis Hashem.
Surely Chiram was no less than all the other kings, who were in awe of Shlomo's Chachmah! Perhaps Malbim means that he now saw that Shlomo is a Chacham also in matters of Musar and etiquette. (PF)
