Solomon solicits and gains Hiram’s help in getting timber to build the temple—Israelites hew stones and cut timber for the temple.

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 L ORD 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 L ORD 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 L ORD my God, as the L ORD 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 L ORD 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 L ORD 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.