1And Hiram, king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father; for Hiram was ever an admirer of David.
2And Solomon sent to Hiram,
3“You know that David, my father, could not build a house unto the name of the LORD his God because of the wars which were all about him, until the LORD put them under his feet.
4But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor disaster.
5And it is my purpose to build a house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spoke to David, my father, “Your son, whom I will set upon your throne in your stead, he shall build a house unto My name.”
6Now, therefore, command that they cut cedar trees out of Lebanon for me. And my servants shall work with yours; and I will give you pay for your servants according to all that you shall appoint. For you know that there is not among us any that has skill to work timber like the Sidonians.”
7And when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly, and said, “Blessed be the LORD this day, Who has given to David a wise son over this great people”.
8And Hiram sent to Solomon, “I have considered the things which you asked me for; and I will do all you desire concerning timber of cedar, and fir.
9My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon to the sea. And I will float them by sea in rafts to the place that you specify, and will have them to be landed there, and you shall receive them; and you shall grant my desire, by providing food for my household”.
10So Hiram gave Solomon cedar and fir trees according to all his desire.
11And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil; this Solomon gave to Hiram year by year.
12And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as He promised him; and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a treaty together.
13And King Solomon drafted forced laborers out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.
14And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand each month by courses: a month in Lebanon, and two months at home; and Adoniram was over the forced labor.
15And Solomon had seventy thousand that bore burdens, and eighty thousand hewers in the mountains;
16Beside the chief of Solomon's officers who were over the work, there were three thousand three hundred, who oversaw the people who did in the work.
17And the king commanded, that they bring great and costly stones, and hewn stones, to lay the foundation of the house.
18And Solomon's and Hiram's builders hewed them, and the men of Gebal (stone-squarers); so they cut and prepared timber and stones to build the house. Easy Reader Bible: Purple Letter Edition © 2023 by Jim Musser. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. Bible Hub |
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