Solomon Makes the Arrangements for Wood to Build the Lord’s House |
1 Kings 5:1-18 1 Kings [in Smaller Chunks] |
Hiram, king of Tyre, sent his servants to Solomon, [because] he had heard [Solomon was] anointed king in [place] of his father: for Hiram [always admired] David. |
And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying, You know that David, my father, couldn’t build a house [for] the Name of the Lord his God, [because of all] the wars [around] him on every side, until the Lord put [his enemies] under the soles of [David’s] feet. Now, the Lord my God, has given me [peace] on every side, so there is neither [enemy nor calamity.] |
[See,] I [plan] to build a house [to honor] the Name of the Lord my God, as the Lord [had spoken] to my father, David, saying, Your son, whom I will set upon your throne in your [place,] shall build a house unto My name. |
Therefore, now command that they [cut for] me cedar trees [from] Lebanon & my servants shall be with your servants. I will [pay the wages] for your servants according to all you [say,] for you [know] there isn’t [any] among us that [is as skillful at cutting] timber like the Sidonians. |
And it [happened], when Hiram heard [Solomon’s] words, he rejoiced greatly & said, Blessed be the Lord this day, [Who] has given to David a wise son over this great people. And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things you [requested from me] & I will do all you desire concerning [the] timber of cedar & fir. |
My servants shall bring [the lumber] down from Lebanon & into the sea. I will [move] them by sea [on rafts] to the place you shall [tell] me & I will [have] them [released] there. You shall [fulfill] my desire, in giving food for my household. |
So, Hiram gave Solomon cedar & fir according to all [he desired.] Solomon gave Hiram 20,000 measures of wheat for food & 20 measures of pure olive oil for [Hiram’s] household [each] year. |
And the Lord [God] gave Solomon wisdom, as He [had] promised [Solomon] & there was peace between Hiram & Solomon & the 2 made a [pact] together. And King Solomon raised a [draft for] 30,000 [workmen] out of all Israel. |
And [Solomon] sent [Hiram] 10,000 men to Lebanon [in shifts each] month. They were in Lebanon one month & 2 months [they were] at home. Adoniram [was over [these drafted laborers.] |
And Solomon had 70,000 [who carried] burdens & 80,000 [woodcutters] in the mountains. [In addition to] the [best] of Solomon’s officers over the work, 3,300 [who supervised] the people [who did] the work. |
And King [Solomon] commanded [that] they [bring] & lay [large,] costly, [cut] stones [for] the foundation of the [Lord’s temple.] And Solomon’s builders, Hirmam’s builders & the stone-squarers [cut] them. So, they prepared timber & stones to build the [Lord’s temple.] |