1 H iram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon, when he heard that he was anointed king in place of his father, for Hiram always loved David.

2 A nd Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,

3 Y ou know how David my father could not build a house to the Name of the Lord his God because wars were about him on every side, until the Lord put his foes under his feet.

4 B ut now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil confronting me.

5 A nd I purpose to build a house to the Name of the Lord my God, as the Lord said to David my father, Your son whom I will set on your throne in your place shall build the house to My Name and Presence.

6 S o, Hiram, command them to hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; my servants shall join yours, and I will give you whatever wages you set for your servants. For you know that no one among us can equal the skill of the Sidon men in cutting timber.

7 W hen Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, Blessed be the Lord this day, Who has given David a wise son to be over this great people.

8 A nd Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things for which you sent to me; I will do all you wish concerning the cedar and cypress timber.

9 M y servants shall bring the logs down from Lebanon to the sea, make them into rafts, and float them by sea to the place that you direct. I will have them released there, and you shall take them away. And you shall fulfill my desire by providing food for my household.

10 S o Hiram gave Solomon all the cedar and cypress trees he desired,

11 A nd Solomon gave Hiram 20, 000 measures of wheat for food for his household, and 20 measures of pure, beaten oil. He gave these to Hiram yearly.

12 T he Lord gave Solomon wisdom, as He promised him; and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and they made a treaty.

13 K ing Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was 30, 000 men.

14 H e sent them to Lebanon, 10, 000 a month by divisions; one month they were in Lebanon and two months at home. Adoniram was over the levy.

15 A nd Solomon had 70, 000 burden bearers and 80, 000 hewers in the hill country of Judah,

16 B esides Solomon’s 3, 300 overseers in charge of the people doing the work.

17 T he king commanded, and they hewed and brought out great, costly stones in order to lay the foundation of the house with dressed stone.

18 S olomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders and the men of Gebal did the hewing and prepared the timber and stones to build the house.