| New Living Translation | NET Bible |
| 1 King Hiram of Tyre had always been a loyal friend of David. When Hiram learned that David’s son Solomon was the new king of Israel, he sent ambassadors to congratulate him. | 1King Hiram of Tyre sent messengers to Solomon when he heard that he had been anointed king in his father's place. (Hiram had always been an ally of David.) |
| 2Then Solomon sent this message back to Hiram: | 2Solomon then sent this message to Hiram: |
| 3“You know that my father, David, was not able to build a Temple to honor the name of the LORD his God because of the many wars waged against him by surrounding nations. He could not build until the LORD gave him victory over all his enemies. | 3"You know that my father David was unable to build a temple to honor the LORD his God, for he was busy fighting battles on all fronts while the LORD subdued his enemies. |
| 4But now the LORD my God has given me peace on every side; I have no enemies, and all is well. | 4But now the LORD my God has made me secure on all fronts; there is no adversary or dangerous threat. |
| 5So I am planning to build a Temple to honor the name of the LORD my God, just as he had instructed my father, David. For the LORD told him, ‘Your son, whom I will place on your throne, will build the Temple to honor my name.’ | 5So I have decided to build a temple to honor the LORD my God, as the LORD instructed my father David, 'Your son, whom I will put on your throne in your place, is the one who will build a temple to honor me.' |
| 6“Therefore, please command that cedars from Lebanon be cut for me. Let my men work alongside yours, and I will pay your men whatever wages you ask. As you know, there is no one among us who can cut timber like you Sidonians!” | 6So now order some cedars of Lebanon to be cut for me. My servants will work with your servants. I will pay your servants whatever you say is appropriate, for you know that we have no one among us who knows how to cut down trees like the Sidonians." |
| 7When Hiram received Solomon’s message, he was very pleased and said, “Praise the LORD today for giving David a wise son to be king of the great nation of Israel.” | 7When Hiram heard Solomon's message, he was very happy. He said, "The LORD is worthy of praise today because he has given David a wise son to rule over this great nation." |
| 8Then he sent this reply to Solomon: “I have received your message, and I will supply all the cedar and cypress timber you need. | 8Hiram then sent this message to Solomon: "I received the message you sent to me. I will give you all the cedars and evergreens you need. |
| 9My servants will bring the logs from the Lebanon mountains to the Mediterranean Sea and make them into rafts and float them along the coast to whatever place you choose. Then we will break the rafts apart so you can carry the logs away. You can pay me by supplying me with food for my household.” | 9My servants will bring the timber down from Lebanon to the sea. I will send it by sea in raft-like bundles to the place you designate. There I will separate the logs and you can carry them away. In exchange you will supply the food I need for my royal court." |
| 10So Hiram supplied as much cedar and cypress timber as Solomon desired. | 10So Hiram supplied the cedars and evergreens Solomon needed, |
| 11In return, Solomon sent him an annual payment of 100,000 bushels of wheat for his household and 110,000 gallons of pure olive oil. | 11and Solomon supplied Hiram annually with 20,000 cors of wheat as provision for his royal court, as well as 20,000 baths of pure olive oil. |
| 12So the LORD gave wisdom to Solomon, just as he had promised. And Hiram and Solomon made a formal alliance of peace. | 12So the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he had promised him. And Hiram and Solomon were at peace and made a treaty. |
| 13Then King Solomon conscripted a labor force of 30,000 men from all Israel. | 13King Solomon conscripted work crews from throughout Israel, 30,000 men in all. |
| 14He sent them to Lebanon in shifts, 10,000 every month, so that each man would be one month in Lebanon and two months at home. Adoniram was in charge of this labor force. | 14He sent them to Lebanon in shifts of 10,000 men per month. They worked in Lebanon for one month, and then spent two months at home. Adoniram was supervisor of the work crews. |
| 15Solomon also had 70,000 common laborers, 80,000 quarry workers in the hill country, | 15Solomon also had 70,000 common laborers and 80,000 stonecutters in the hills, |
| 16and 3,600 foremen to supervise the work. | 16besides 3,300 officials who supervised the workers. |
| 17At the king’s command, they quarried large blocks of high-quality stone and shaped them to make the foundation of the Temple. | 17By royal order they supplied large valuable stones in order to build the temple's foundation with chiseled stone. |
| 18Men from the city of Gebal helped Solomon’s and Hiram’s builders prepare the timber and stone for the Temple. | 18Solomon's and Hiram's construction workers, along with men from Byblos, did the chiseling and prepared the wood and stones for the building of the temple. |
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