Solomon sends to Hiram, king of Tyre, for cedar and cypress timber to build the temple. Hiram agrees in exchange for food, and Solomon sends a large labour force.
1 And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon ; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father : for Hiram was ever a lover of David .
2 And Solomon sent to Hiram , saying ,
3 Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side , until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet .
4 But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side , so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent .
5 And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God , as the LORD spake unto David my father , saying , Thy son , whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name .
6 Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon ; and my servants shall be with thy servants : and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint : for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians .
7 And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon , that he rejoiced greatly , and said , Blessed be the LORD this day , which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people .
8 And Hiram sent to Solomon , saying , I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar , and concerning timber of fir .
9 My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea : and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire , in giving food for my household .
10 So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire .
11 And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household , and twenty measures of pure oil : thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year .
12 And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom , as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon ; and they two made a league together .
13 And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel ; and the levy was thirty thousand men .
14 And he sent them to Lebanon , ten thousand a month by courses : a month they were in Lebanon , and two months at home : and Adoniram was over the levy .
15 And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens , and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains ;
16 Beside the chief of Solomon's officers which were over the work , three thousand and three hundred , which ruled over the people that wrought in the work .
17 And the king commanded , and they brought great stones , costly stones , and hewed stones , to lay the foundation of the house .
18 And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers : so they prepared timber and stones to build the house .