Then (A)Solomon sent word to Hiram, saying, “You know that (B)David my father was unable to build a house for the name of the Lord his God because of the wars which surrounded him, until the Lord put them under the soles of his feet. But now (C)the Lord my God has secured me rest on every side; there is neither adversary nor [a]misfortune. So behold, (D)I [b]intend to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, just as the Lord spoke to David my father, saying, ‘Your son, whom I will put on your throne in your place, he will build the house for My name.’ Now then, issue orders that they cut (E)cedars from Lebanon for me, and my servants will be with your servants; and I will give you wages for your servants in accordance with all that you say, for you yourself know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians.”

When Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he greatly rejoiced; and he said, “Blessed be the Lord today, who has given to David a wise son over this great people.” So Hiram sent word to Solomon, saying, “I have heard the message which you sent me; I will do everything you wish concerning the cedar and juniper timber. My servants will bring the timbers down from Lebanon to the sea; and I will have them made into rafts to go by sea (F)to the place where you [c]direct me, and I will have them broken up there, and you will carry them away. Then (G)you shall do what I wish, by giving food to my household.” 10 So [d]Hiram [e]gave Solomon all that he wished of the cedar and juniper timber. 11 (H)Solomon then gave [f]Hiram [g]twenty thousand kors of wheat as food for his household, and [h]twenty kors of pure oil; this is what Solomon would give Hiram year by year.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 5:4 Lit evil occurrence
  2. 1 Kings 5:5 Lit say
  3. 1 Kings 5:9 Lit send to me
  4. 1 Kings 5:10 Heb Hirom
  5. 1 Kings 5:10 Lit was giving
  6. 1 Kings 5:11 In 2 Chr 2:3, Huram
  7. 1 Kings 5:11 About 154,000 cubic feet or 4,360 cubic meters
  8. 1 Kings 5:11 About 154 cubic feet or 4.4 cubic meters

Solomon sent back this message to Hiram:

“You know that because of the wars(A) waged against my father David from all sides, he could not build(B) a temple for the Name of the Lord his God until the Lord put his enemies under his feet.(C) But now the Lord my God has given me rest(D) on every side, and there is no adversary(E) or disaster. I intend, therefore, to build a temple(F) for the Name of the Lord my God, as the Lord told my father David, when he said, ‘Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place will build the temple for my Name.’(G)

“So give orders that cedars(H) of Lebanon be cut for me. My men will work with yours, and I will pay you for your men whatever wages you set. You know that we have no one so skilled in felling timber as the Sidonians.”

When Hiram heard Solomon’s message, he was greatly pleased and said, “Praise be to the Lord(I) today, for he has given David a wise son to rule over this great nation.”

So Hiram sent word to Solomon:

“I have received the message you sent me and will do all you want in providing the cedar and juniper logs. My men will haul them down from Lebanon to the Mediterranean Sea(J), and I will float them as rafts by sea to the place you specify. There I will separate them and you can take them away. And you are to grant my wish by providing food(K) for my royal household.”

10 In this way Hiram kept Solomon supplied with all the cedar and juniper logs he wanted, 11 and Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand cors[a] of wheat as food(L) for his household, in addition to twenty thousand baths[b][c] of pressed olive oil. Solomon continued to do this for Hiram year after year.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 5:11 That is, probably about 3,600 tons or about 3,250 metric tons
  2. 1 Kings 5:11 Septuagint (see also 2 Chron. 2:10); Hebrew twenty cors
  3. 1 Kings 5:11 That is, about 120,000 gallons or about 440,000 liters