1
And Solomon determined to build a house for the name of the LORD and a house for his kingdom.
2
And Solomon counted out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them.
3
And Solomon sent to Hiram, the king of Tyre, saying, "As thou didst deal with David my father and didst send him cedars to build him a house to dwell therein, even so deal with me.
4
Behold, I build a house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to Him and to burn before Him sweet incense, and for the continual showbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths and on the new moons and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.
5
And the house which I build is great, for great is our God above all gods.
6
But who is able to build Him a house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain Him? Who am I then, that I should build Him a house, save only to burn sacrifice before Him?