1
When Hiram king of Tyre heard that Solomon had been anointed king
to succeed his father David, he sent his envoys to Solomon, because
he had always been on friendly terms with David.
2
Solomon sent back this message to Hiram:
3
"You know that because of the wars waged against my father David from
all sides, he could not build a temple for the Name of the LORD his God
until the LORD put his enemies under his feet.
4
But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, and there is
no adversary or disaster.
5
I intend, therefore, to build a temple for the Name of the LORD my God,
as the LORD told my father David, when he said, "Your son whom I will
put on the throne in your place will build the temple for my Name.'
6
"So give orders that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. My men will
work with yours, and I will pay for your men whatever wages you set.
You know that we have no one so skilled in felling timber as the
Sidonians."
7
When Hiram heard Solomon's message, he was greatly pleased and said,
"Praise be to the LORD today, for he has given David a wise son to
rule over this great nation."
8
So Hiram sent word to Solomon: "I have received the message you sent
me and will do all you want in providing the cedar and pine logs.
9
My men will haul them down from Lebanon to the sea, and I will float
them in rafts by sea to the place you specify. There I will separate
them and you can take them away. And you are to grant my wish
by providing food for my royal household."
10
In this way Hiram kept Solomon supplied with all the cedar and pine
logs he wanted,
11
and Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand cors of wheat as food for
his household, in addition to twenty thousand baths of pressed olive
oil. Solomon continued to do this for Hiram year after year.
12
The LORD gave Solomon wisdom, just as he promised him. There were
peaceful relations between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them
made a treaty.
13
King Solomon conscripted laborers from all Israel - thirty thousand men.
14
He sent them off to Lebanon in shifts of ten thousand a month, so
that they spent one month in Lebanon and two months at home.
Adoniram was in charge of the forced labor.
15
Solomon had seventy thousand carriers and eighty thousand stone
cutters in the hills,
16
as well as thirty-three hundred foremen who supervised the project
and directed the workmen.
17
At the king's command they removed from the quarry large blocks of
quality stone to provide a foundation of dressed stone for the temple.
18
The craftsmen of Solomon and Hiram and the men of Gebal cut and prepared
the timber and stone for the building of the temple.
He sent them off to Lebanon in shifts of ten thousand a month, so
that they spent one month in Lebanon and two months at home.
Adoniram was in charge of the forced labor.