1 Kings 5:6-16

6 "Now therefore, command that they cut for me 1cedars from Lebanon, and my servants will be with your servants; and I will give you wages for your servants according to all that you say, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians."
7 When Hiram heard the 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."
8 So Hiram sent word to Solomon, saying, "I have heard the message which you have sent me; I will do what you desire concerning the cedar and cypress timber.
9 "My servants will bring them down from Lebanon to the sea; and I will make them into rafts to go by sea 2to the place where you direct me, and I will have them broken up there, and you shall carry them away. Then 3you shall accomplish my desire by giving food to my household."
10 So Hiram gave Solomon as much as he desired of the cedar and cypress timber.
11 4Solomon then gave Hiram 20,000 * kors of wheat as food for his household, and twenty kors of beaten oil; thus Solomon would give Hiram year by year.
12 5The LORD gave wisdom to Solomon, just as He promised him; and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a covenant.

Conscription of Laborers

13 Now 6King Solomon levied forced laborers from all Israel; and the forced laborers numbered 30,000 * men.
14 He sent them to Lebanon, 10,000 * a month in relays; they were in Lebanon a month and two months at home. And 7Adoniram was over the forced laborers.
15 Now 8Solomon had 70,000 * transporters *, and 80,000 * hewers of stone in the mountains,
16 9besides * Solomon's 3,300 * * * chief deputies who were over the project and who ruled over the people who were doing the work.

Cross References 9

  • 1. 2 Chronicles 2:8
  • 2. 2 Chronicles 2:16
  • 3. Ezra 3:7; Ezekiel 27:17
  • 4. 2 Chronicles 2:10
  • 5. 1 Kings 3:12
  • 6. 1 Kings 4:6; 1 Kings 9:15
  • 7. 1 Kings 4:6; 1 Kings 12:18
  • 8. 1 Kings 9:20-22; 2 Chronicles 2:17, 18
  • 9. 1 Kings 9:23

Footnotes 12

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