| English Standard Version | NET Bible |
| 1Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram always loved David. | 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.) |
| 2And Solomon sent word to Hiram, | 2Solomon then sent this message to Hiram: |
| 3“You know that David my father could not build a house for the name of the LORD his God because of the warfare with which his enemies surrounded him, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet. | 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 rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune. | 4But now the LORD my God has made me secure on all fronts; there is no adversary or dangerous threat. |
| 5And so I intend to build a house for the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD said to David my father, ‘Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for 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.' |
| 6Now therefore command that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. And my servants will join your servants, and I will pay you for your servants such wages as you set, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the 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." |
| 7As soon as Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, “Blessed be the LORD this day, who has given to David a wise son to be over this great people.” | 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." |
| 8And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, “I have heard the message that you have sent to me. I am ready to do all you desire in the matter of cedar and cypress timber. | 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 shall bring it down to the sea from Lebanon, and I will make it into rafts to go by sea to the place you direct. And I will have them broken up there, and you shall receive it. And you shall meet my wishes by providing 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 Solomon with all the timber of cedar and cypress that he desired, | 10So Hiram supplied the cedars and evergreens Solomon needed, |
| 11while Solomon gave Hiram 20,000 cors of wheat as food for his household, and 20,000 cors of beaten oil. Solomon gave this to Hiram year by year. | 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. |
| 12And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him. And there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty. | 12So the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he had promised him. And Hiram and Solomon were at peace and made a treaty. |
| 13King Solomon drafted forced labor out of all Israel, and the draft numbered 30,000 men. | 13King Solomon conscripted work crews from throughout Israel, 30,000 men in all. |
| 14And he sent them to Lebanon, 10,000 a month in shifts. They would be a month in Lebanon and two months at home. Adoniram was in charge of the draft. | 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 burden-bearers and 80,000 stonecutters in the hill country, | 15Solomon also had 70,000 common laborers and 80,000 stonecutters in the hills, |
| 16besides Solomon’s 3,300 chief officers who were over the work, who had charge of the people who carried on the work. | 16besides 3,300 officials who supervised the workers. |
| 17At the king’s command they quarried out great, costly stones in order to lay the foundation of the house with dressed stones. | 17By royal order they supplied large valuable stones in order to build the temple's foundation with chiseled stone. |
| 18So Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders and the men of Gebal did the cutting and prepared the timber and the stone to build the house. | 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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