7
When Hiram heard Solomon's words, he greatly rejoiced and said, "May the Lord be praised today! He has given David a wise son to be over this great people!"
8
Then Hiram sent [a reply] to Solomon, saying, "I have heard your message; I will do everything you want regarding the cedar and cypress timber.
9
My servants will bring [the logs] down from Lebanon to the sea, and I will make them into rafts to go by sea to the place you indicate. I will break them apart there, and you can take them away. You then can meet my needs by providing my household with food."
10
So Hiram provided Solomon with all the cedar and cypress timber he wanted,
11
and Solomon provided Hiram with 100,000 bushels of wheat as food for his household and 110,000 gallons of beaten oil. Solomon did this for Hiram year after year.
12
The Lord gave Solomon wisdom, as He had promised him. There was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.
Solomon's Work Force
13 Then King Solomon drafted forced laborers from all Israel; the labor force numbered 30,000 men.
14
He sent 10,000 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.
15
Solomon had 70,000 porters and 80,000 stonecutters in the mountains,
16
not including his 3,300 deputies in charge of the work. They ruled over the people doing the work.
17
The king commanded them to quarry large, costly stones to lay the foundation of the temple with dressed stones.