1. And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the place of his father: for Hiram was always a lover of David.
2. And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,
3. You know how David my father could not build a house unto the name of the LORD his God because of the wars which were around him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.
4. But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil currently.
5. And, behold, I have decided to build a house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spoke to David my father, saying, Your son, whom I will set upon your throne in your place, he shall build a house unto my name.
6. Now therefore command that they cut me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with your servants: and to you will I give wages for your servants according to all that you shall appoint: for you know that there is not among us any that has skill to cut timber like 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 has given to David a wise son over this great people.
8. And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which you sent to me for: and 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 convey them by sea in floats to the place that you shall appoint me, and will cause them to be unloaded there, and you shall receive them: and you shall 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 an alliance 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 seventy thousand that bore burdens, and eighty thousand stone cutters in the mountains;
16. Besides the chief of Solomon's officers which were over the work, three thousand three hundred, which ruled over the people that labored in the work.
17. And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and cut stones, to lay the foundation of the house.
18. And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did cut them, and the stone squarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.