2 Chronicles 2:1-10 ▼

1 Now Solomon was determined to build a temple dedicated to the Name of the LORD as well as his own royal palace.

2 So Solomon conscripted 70,000 men to do heavy work, 80,000 men to quarry in the hill country, and 3,600 to supervise them.

3 Solomon also sent this message to King Hiram of Tyre: |Just as you did with my father David, sending him cedars to build him a palace to live in, do the same for me.

4 Look, I'm building a temple dedicated to the name of the LORD my God, to his glory, so we can burn fragrant incense in his presence, display rows of the bread of his presence continuously, and make burnt offerings in the morning, evening, on Sabbath days, during New Moon festivals, and during appointed festivals scheduled by the LORD our God. This is mandated forever in Israel.

5 |The Temple that I'm building will be great, because the greatness of our God surpasses that of all gods.

6 But who can build a temple for him, since neither heaven nor the highest of the heavens can contain him? So who am I, that I should build a temple to him, except to burn incense in his presence?

7 |At any rate, send me an individual who is a skilled craftsman in gold, silver, bronze, and iron, as well as in purple, crimson, and blue materials, who knows how to craft engravings, so he may work with the craftsmen whom I have assembled in Judah and Jerusalem, as provided for by my father David.

8 Also send me cedar, cypress, and algum timber from Lebanon, since I'm aware that your servants know how to cut down timber from Lebanon. My servants will accompany your servants

9 to prepare an abundant amount of timber for me, because the Temple that I'm building is to be great and awesome.

10 |Now look! I will pay your servants, the lumberjacks who prepare the timber, 20,000 measures of barley, 20,000 baths of wine, and 20,000 baths of oil.|