1 Kings 5

And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David.

Hiram, the king of Tyre, sent his men to Solomon upon hearing he was crowned king, succeeding his father. Hiram had always held deep affection for David.

And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,

Solomon reached out to Hiram, expressing,

Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.

David, my father, longed to build a house for the Lord, but he was constantly surrounded by wars. It wasn't until God gave him victory over his enemies that he could pursue his dream.

But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.

Now, my Lord God has blessed me with peace all around, leaving no room for enemies or misfortune.

And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.

With a heart full of purpose, I plan to construct a sacred home for the Lord, my God. Just as God promised my father, David, that his son - me, his successor - would build a house in His honor.

Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians.

Please arrange for your people to cut cedar trees from Lebanon for me. My workers will join yours, and I'll pay them as you see fit. You know we don't have anyone who can cut wood as well as the Sidonians.

And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people.

When Hiram heard Solomon's words, he was filled with immense joy. He praised God, thankful for blessing David with a wise son to lead their vast community.

And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir.

Hiram replied to Solomon with a heartfelt message, "I've thought deeply about your request. Rest assured, I'll fulfill your wishes for cedar and fir wood."

My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household.

My helpers will transport them from Lebanon to the sea. I'll ensure they reach the destination you choose, safely delivered. You'll receive them and fulfill my wish by providing sustenance for my family.

So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire.

Hiram, with a generous heart, fulfilled Solomon's wish by gifting him cedar and fir trees, just as he had longed for.

And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year.

Every year, Solomon generously provided Hiram with twenty thousand portions of wheat to feed his family, and twenty portions of the finest oil.

And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.

As promised, God blessed Solomon with wisdom. This led to a peaceful bond between Solomon and Hiram, resulting in a united alliance.

And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.

King Solomon called upon all of Israel, conscripting thirty thousand men into forced labor.

And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses: a month they were in Lebanon, and two months at home: and Adoniram was over the levy.

He dispatched them to Lebanon in shifts of ten thousand a month. They would spend a month working in Lebanon, then two months resting at home. Adoniram was in charge of this rotation.

And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains;

Solomon commanded a massive workforce of 70,000 laborers and 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains, a testament to his great power and influence.

Beside the chief of Solomon’s officers which were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in the work.

Besides these, Solomon had 3,300 chief officers managing the work. They led the people who were diligently working on the project.

And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.

The king ordered, and they fetched massive, precious, and carved stones to build the base of the home.

And Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.

Solomon's and Hiram's builders worked tirelessly, skillfully shaping the stones. They gathered timber and stones, pouring their hearts into preparing materials to construct the sacred house.