1 ¶ When Hiram king of Tyre heard that they had anointed Solomon king in place of his father; he sent his servants to Solomon: for Hiram always loved David.

2 And Solomon sent this message to Hiram,

3 You know that David my father could not raise a temple to the name of the LORD his God because of the wars that were around him on every side, until the LORD put his foes under the soles of his feet.

4 But now the LORD my God has given me peace on every side, so that there is no enemy or evil confronting me.

5 And, behold, I purpose to build an house to the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD revealed to David my father, saying, Your son, whom I will set upon your throne in your place, will build an house to my name.

6 So now command that cedar trees out of Lebanon be cut for me; and my servants will join your servants: and I will pay you for your servants such wages as you set: for you know that no one among us can equal the skill of the Sidonians in cutting timber.

7 And 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.

8 And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things for which you sent to me: and I will do all you wish concerning timber of cedar, and timber of fir.

9 My servants will bring them down from Lebanon to the sea: and I will convey them by sea in rafts to the place that you tell me, and will cause them to be released there, and you shall take them: you can then meet my needs, by providing food for my household.

10 ¶ So Hiram gave Solomon all the cedar and fir trees that he desired.

11 And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat as food for his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: he gave these to Hiram yearly.

12 And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and the two made a treaty with each other.

13 Then king Solomon drafted thirty thousand laborers from all of Israel.

14 And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand each month in relays: they would be in Lebanon for a month, and at home for two months: and Adoniram was in charge of the draft.

15 And Solomon had seventy thousand burden bearers, and eighty thousand stone cutters in the mountains;

16 Besides Solomon’s three thousand and three hundred overseers, who were in charge of the people doing the work.

17 And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and cut stones, to lay the foundation of the temple.

18 And Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders and the men of Gebal did the cutting: and prepared the timber and stones to build the temple.