Hiram’s Building Materials
2Solomon sent this message to Hiram:
3“You know my father David was not able to build a temple for the name of the Lord his God. This was because of the warfare all around him until the Lord put his enemies under his feet.5:3 1Ch 28:2–3
4The Lord my God has now given me rest on every side; there is no enemy or misfortune.5:4 1Kg 4:24–25
5So I plan to build a temple for the name of the Lord my God,5:5 2Ch 2:4 according to what the Lord promised my father David: ‘I will put your son on your throne in your place, and he will build the temple for my name.’5:5 2Sm 7:12–13
7When Hiram heard Solomon’s words, he rejoiced greatly and said, “Blessed be the Lord today!5:7 1Kg 10:9 He has given David a wise son to be over this great people!”
8Then Hiram sent a reply to Solomon, saying, “I have heard your message; I will do everything you want regarding the cedar and cypress timber.
10So Hiram provided Solomon with all the cedar and cypress timber he wanted,
Solomon’s Workforce
13Then King Solomon drafted forced laborers from all Israel;5:13 1Kg 4:6; 9:15 the labor force numbered thirty thousand men.
14He sent ten thousand to Lebanon each month in shifts; one month they were in Lebanon, two months they were at home. Adoniram was in charge of the forced labor.
15Solomon had seventy thousand porters and eighty thousand stonecutters in the mountains,5:15 2Ch 2:17–18
16not including his thirty-three hundred5:16 Some LXX mss read 3,600; 2Ch 2:2,18 deputies5:16 1Kg 9:23 in charge of the work. They supervised the people doing the work.
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