Preparations for the Temple
(2 Chronicles 2:1–10)

1Hiram, the king of Tyre, also sent his servants to Solomon. For he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father. Now Hiram had been a friend to David the entire time. 2Then Solomon sent to Hiram, saying: 3“You know the will of my father David, and that he was not able to build a house to the name of the Lord his God, because of the wars that were imminent all around him, until the Lord set them under the steps of his feet. 4But now the Lord my God has given rest to me on all sides. And there is no adversary, nor occurrence of evil. 5For this reason, I intend to build a temple to the name of the Lord my God, just as the Lord spoke to my father David, saying: ‘Your son, whom I will set in your place, upon your throne, he himself shall build a house to my name.’ 6Therefore, order that your servants may cut down for me cedars from Lebanon. And let my servants be with your servants. Then I will give to you, for the wages of your servants, whatever you will ask. For you know that there is not a man among my people who knows how to cut wood as well as the Sidonians.”

Hiram’s Reply to Solomon
(2 Chronicles 2:11–18)

7Therefore, when Hiram had heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly, and he said, “Blessed be the Lord God this day, who gave to David a very wise son over this numerous people!” 8And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying: “I have heard the things that you would entrust to me. And I will do your whole will concerning the cedar trees and spruce trees. 9My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon to the sea. And I will arrange them together as rafts on the sea, as far as the place that you will indicate to me. And I will land them there, and you will take them. And you shall offer to me what is necessary to give food to my house.” 10And so, Hiram gave to Solomon cedar trees and spruce trees, in accord with his whole will. 11Then Solomon offered to Hiram twenty thousand cor of wheat, as food for his house, and twenty cor of the purest oil. These things Solomon gave as a tribute to Hiram every year. 12And the Lord gave wisdom to Solomon, just as he said to him. And there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two struck a pact.

Solomon’s Labor Force

13And king Solomon chose workers from all of Israel, and the conscription was of thirty thousand men. 14And he sent them into Lebanon, ten thousand each month, in turns, so that for two months they were in their own houses. And Adoniram was over this type of conscription. 15And Solomon had seventy thousand of those who were carrying burdens, and eighty thousand of those who cut stones from the mountain, 16aside from the commanders who were over each work, in number three thousand and three hundred, who gave orders to the people and to those who were doing the work. 17And the king ordered them to bring great stones, precious stones, for the foundation of the temple, and to square them. 18And these were shaped by the stoneworkers of Solomon and the stoneworkers of Hiram. And the men of Gebal also prepared the wood and the stones in order to build the house.