[1] Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to 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] Solomon sent to Hiram, saying, [3] You know how that
David my father could not build a house for the name of Yahweh his God for
the wars which were about him on every side, until Yahweh put them under
the soles of his feet. [4] But now Yahweh my God has given me rest on every
side; there is neither adversary, nor evil occurrence. [5] Behold, I
purpose to build a house for the name of Yahweh my God, as Yahweh spoke to
David my father, saying, Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your
room, he shall build the house for my name. [6] Now therefore command you
that they cut me cedar-trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with
your servants; and I will give you hire for your servants according to all
that you shall say: for you know that there is not among us any who knows
how to cut timber like the Sidonians. [7] It happened, when Hiram heard the
words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be Yahweh
this day, who has given to David a wise son over this great people. [8]
Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have heard [the message] which you have
sent to me: I will do all your desire concerning timber of cedar, and
concerning timber of fir. [9] My servants shall bring them down from
Lebanon to the sea; and I will make them into rafts to go by sea to the
place that you shall appoint me, and will cause them to be broken up there,
and you shall receive them; and you shall accomplish my desire, in giving
food for my household. [10] So Hiram gave Solomon timber of cedar and
timber of fir according to all his desire. [11] 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] Yahweh gave
Solomon wisdom, as he promised him; and there was peace between Hiram and
Solomon; and they two made a league together. [13] King Solomon raised a
levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men. [14] 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 men subject to
forced labor. [15] Solomon had seventy thousand who bore burdens, and
eighty thousand who were stone cutters in the mountains; [16] besides
Solomon`s chief officers who were over the work, three thousand and three
hundred, who bore rule over the people who labored in the work. [17] The
king commanded, and they hewed out great stones, costly stones, to lay the
foundation of the house with worked stone. [18] Solomon`s builders and
Hiram`s builders and the Gebalites did fashion them, and prepared the
timber and the stones to build the house.
