1 Kings

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.

1Hiram was the king of a city called Tyre. He heard that Solomon was now king in place of his father. So Hiram sent his servants to Solomon. Hiram had always been a good friend of King David.

2And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,

2Then Solomon sent a message back to Hiram. This is what he said:

3Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.

3"You know that my father David could not build a house for the LORD his God. Enemies fought him on every side. He had to fight wars until the LORD gave him the win over them all."

Note"A house for the LORD" means the temple. It was a building in Jerusalem where people came to worship God.

4But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.

4"But now the LORD my God has given me peace on every side. No enemy is fighting me. Nothing bad is happening."

5And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD 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.

5"So I plan to build a house for the LORD my God. The LORD told my father David this: 'I will put your son on your throne after you. He will build the house for my name.'"

6Now 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.

6"So please give the order to cut cedar trees for me in Lebanon. My servants will work with your servants. I will pay your workers whatever you ask. Your men from Sidon know how to cut wood better than any of ours."

7And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people.

7When Hiram heard Solomon's words, he was very glad. He said, "Praise the LORD today! He has given David a wise son to lead these many people."

8And 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.

8Hiram sent an answer to Solomon. He said, "I have read your message. I will do everything you asked. I will send you cedar wood and fir wood."

9My 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.

9"My servants will bring the logs down from Lebanon to the sea. I will tie them together and float them to any place you choose. There I will take them apart, and you can carry them away. In return, please send food for the people in my house."

10So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire.

10So Hiram gave Solomon all the cedar wood and fir wood he wanted.

11And 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.

11Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for his household. He also gave him twenty measures of pure olive oil. Solomon sent this to Hiram every year.

NoteA "measure" of wheat here is a very large amount, about as much as a big barrel holds. Solomon was sending a huge yearly gift of food.

12And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.

12The LORD made Solomon wise, just as he had promised. Hiram and Solomon lived in peace with each other. The two kings made an agreement together.

13And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.

13Then King Solomon called men from all over Israel to work for him. There were thirty thousand of these workers.

14And 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.

14He sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand men each month, taking turns. Each man worked one month, then stayed home two months. A man named Adoniram was in charge of all these workers.

15And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains;

15Solomon had seventy thousand men who carried heavy loads. He had eighty thousand more men who cut stone in the hills.

16Beside 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.

16He also had three thousand three hundred head workers. They watched over the men and told them what to do.

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

17The king gave an order, and the men dug out huge stones. These stones cost a lot. Workers cut them smooth and square for the bottom of the house.

18And Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.

18Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders shaped these stones. Men from the town of Gebal helped them too. Together they got the wood and stone ready to build the house.

NoteThe old King James wording says "stonesquarers." The word is really the name of a people, the men of the town of Gebal.