Hiram king of Tyre – 3rd Book of Kings, chapter 5

Hiram king of Tyre agreeth to furnish timber and workmen for building the temple: the number of workmen and overseers.

[1] And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon: for he heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram had always been David’s friend. [2] And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying: [3] Thou knowest the will of David my father, and that he could not build a house to the name of the Lord his God, because of the wars that were round about him, until the Lord put them under the soles of his feet. [4] But now the Lord my God hath given me rest round about: and there is no adversary nor evil occurrence. [5] Wherefore I purpose to build a temple to the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord spoke to David my father, saying: Thy son, whom I will set upon the throne in thy place, he shall build a house to my name.

[6] Give orders therefore that thy servants cut me down cedar trees out of Libanus, and let my servants be with thy servants: and I will give thee the hire of thy servants whatsoever thou wilt ask, for thou knowest how there is not among my people a man that has skill to hew wood like to the Sidonians. [7] Now when Hiram had heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced exceedingly, and said: Blessed be the Lord God this day, who hath given to David a very wise son over this numerous people. [8] And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying: I have heard all thou hast desired of me: and I will do all thy desire concerning cedar trees, and fir trees. [9] My servants shall bring them down from Libanus to the sea: and I will put them together in floats in the sea, and convey them to the place, which thou shalt signify to me; and will land them there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt allow me necessaries, to furnish food for my household. [10] So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees, and fir trees, according to all his desire.

[11] And Solomon allowed Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat, for provision for his house, and twenty measures of the purest oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram every year. [12] And the Lord gave wisdom to Solomon, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and they two made a league together. [13] And king Solomon chose workmen out of all Israel, and the levy was of thirty thousand men. [14] And he sent them to Libanus, ten thousand every month by turns, so that two months they were at home: and Adoniram was over this levy. [15] And Solomon had seventy thousand to carry burdens, and eighty thousand to hew stones in the mountain:

[16] Besides the overseers who were over every work, in number three thousand, and three hundred that ruled over the people, and them that did the work. [17] And the king commanded, that they should bring great stones, costly stones, for the foundation of the temple, and should square them: [18] And the masons of Solomon, and the masons of Hiram hewed them: and the Giblians prepared timber and stones to build the house.

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