1And Hiram, king of Tyre, sent his servants to Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father; and Hiram was always an admirer of David. 2And Solomon sent this message to Hiram, 3“You know that David, my father, could not build a house unto the name of the LORD his God because of the wars which were all about him, until the LORD put his enemies under his feet. 4But now the LORD my God has given me rest on all sides, so that there is neither adversary nor disaster. 5And it is my intent and purpose to build a house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spoke to David, my father, ‘Your son, whom I will set upon your throne in your stead, shall build a house unto My name.’ 6So please command that they cut cedar trees out of Lebanon for me. And my servants will work with yours; and I will pay you for your servants according to whatever wages you set. For you know that there is none among us that has skill to work timber like the Sidonians.”

7And when Hiram received those words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly, and said, “Blessed be the LORD today, Who has given to David a wise son over this great people.” 8And Hiram sent this answer to Solomon, “I have considered the things which you asked me for; and I will do all you desire concerning timber of cedar, and fir. 9My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon to the sea. And I will float them by sea in rafts to the place that you specify, and will have them landed there, and you shall receive them; and you shall grant my desire, by providing food for my household.” 10So Hiram gave Solomon cedar and fir trees according to all his desire. 11And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat to feed his household, and twenty measures of pure oil; this Solomon gave to Hiram each year. 12And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as He promised him; and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a treaty together.

13And King Solomon conscripted forced laborers out of all Israel; and the draft was for thirty thousand men. 14And he sent them to Lebanon - ten thousand each month by courses: a month in Lebanon, and two months at home; and Adoniram was over the forced labor. 15And Solomon had seventy thousand that carried burdens, and eighty thousand wood-cutters in the mountains, 16As well as three thousand three hundred leaders of Solomon's officers to oversee the people who did the work. 17And the king commanded that they quarry and bring large high-grade cut and shaped stones, to lay the foundation of the house. 18And Solomon's and Hiram's builders hewed them, and the men of Gebal (stone-squarers) cut and prepared both timber and stones to build the house.