st Kings _Chapter 5

King Hiram of Tyre has always loved David. When he heard that the Israelites had anointed Solomon and succeeded his father as king, he sent his servants to him.

Solomon also sent messengers to Hiram, saying

You know that my father David was unable to build a temple for the name of the Lord his God due to the war around him, until the Lord brought all his enemies under his feet.

Now the Lord my God has given me peace all around, without enemies or calamity.

I have determined to build a temple for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord promised my father David, ‘I will make your son sit on your throne in your place, and he will build a temple for my name.’.

Therefore, command your servants to cut down cedar trees for me in Lebanon, and my servants will also help them. I will give your servants the wages you have set. Because you know, no one among us is as good at cutting down trees as the Sidonians

When Hiram heard Solomon’s words, he was overjoyed and said, Praise the Lord today. Because he gave David a wise son to govern these many people.

Hiram sent messengers to Solomon, saying, I have heard all the things that you sent to me. As for cedar and pine, I will do as you wish.

My servant will transport this wood from Lebanon to the sea, tie it into rafts, and float it by sea to the place you have designated for me. There you will dismantle it and you will receive it. You will fulfill my wish and give food to my house.

So Hiram gave Solomon cedar and pine wood as he requested.

Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand koels of wheat and twenty koels of clear oil as food for his family. Solomon gave Hiram this every year.

The Lord gave wisdom to Solomon as promised. Hiram and Solomon reconciled and made a treaty with each other.

King Solomon took out a total of thirty thousand people from the Israelites who had suffered,

Send them to Lebanon in turns, with ten thousand people going up every month. One month in Lebanon and two months at home. Adoniram is in charge of them.

Solomon used 70000 to carry and 80000 to carve stones on the mountains.

In addition, Solomon used 3300 supervisors to supervise the workers.

The king ordered that large and precious stones be chiseled out to establish the foundation of the temple.

The craftsmen of Solomon, Hiram, and the people of Gebal all chiseled stones and prepared wood and stones to build the temple.