New Living Translation

English Standard Version

Preparations for Building the Temple

aKing Hiram of Tyre had always been a loyal friend of David. When Hiram learned that David’s son Solomon was the new king of Israel, he sent ambassadors to congratulate him.

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Preparations for Building the Temple

a Now Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon when he heard that they had anointed him king in place of his father, for Hiram always loved David.

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Then Solomon sent this message back to Hiram:

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And Solomon sent word to Hiram,

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“You know that my father, David, was not able to build a Temple to honor the name of the LORD his God because of the many wars waged against him by surrounding nations. He could not build until the LORD gave him victory over all his enemies.

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“You know that David my father could not build a house for the name of the Lord his God because of the warfare with which his enemies surrounded him, until the Lord put them under the soles of his feet.

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But now the LORD my God has given me peace on every side; I have no enemies, and all is well.

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But now the Lord my God has given me rest on every side. There is neither adversary nor misfortune.

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So I am planning to build a Temple to honor the name of the LORD my God, just as he had instructed my father, David. For the LORD told him, ‘Your son, whom I will place on your throne, will build the Temple to honor my name.’

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And so I intend to build a house for the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord said to David my father, ‘Your son, whom I will set on your throne in your place, shall build the house for my name.’

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“Therefore, please command that cedars from Lebanon be cut for me. Let my men work alongside yours, and I will pay your men whatever wages you ask. As you know, there is no one among us who can cut timber like you Sidonians!”

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Now therefore command that cedars of Lebanon be cut for me. And my servants will join your servants, and I will pay you for your servants such wages as you set, for you know that there is no one among us who knows how to cut timber like the Sidonians.”

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When Hiram received Solomon’s message, he was very pleased and said, “Praise the LORD today for giving David a wise son to be king of the great nation of Israel.”

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As soon as Hiram heard the words of Solomon, he rejoiced greatly and said, “Blessed be the Lord this day, who has given to David a wise son to be over this great people.”

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Then he sent this reply to Solomon:
“I have received your message, and I will supply all the cedar and cypress timber you need.

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And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, “I have heard the message that you have sent to me. I am ready to do all you desire in the matter of cedar and cypress timber.

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My servants will bring the logs from the Lebanon mountains to the Mediterranean Seab and make them into rafts and float them along the coast to whatever place you choose. Then we will break the rafts apart so you can carry the logs away. You can pay me by supplying me with food for my household.”

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My servants shall bring it down to the sea from Lebanon, and I will make it into rafts to go by sea to the place you direct. And I will have them broken up there, and you shall receive it. And you shall meet my wishes by providing food for my household.”

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So Hiram supplied as much cedar and cypress timber as Solomon desired.

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So Hiram supplied Solomon with all the timber of cedar and cypress that he desired,

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In return, Solomon sent him an annual payment of 100,000 bushelsc of wheat for his household and 110,000 gallonsd of pure olive oil.

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while Solomon gave Hiram 20,000 corsb of wheat as food for his household, and 20,000c cors of beaten oil. Solomon gave this to Hiram year by year.

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So the LORD gave wisdom to Solomon, just as he had promised. And Hiram and Solomon made a formal alliance of peace.

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And the Lord gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him. And there was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty.

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Then King Solomon conscripted a labor force of 30,000 men from all Israel.

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King Solomon drafted forced labor out of all Israel, and the draft numbered 30,000 men.

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He sent them to Lebanon in shifts, 10,000 every month, so that each man would be one month in Lebanon and two months at home. Adoniram was in charge of this labor force.

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And he sent them to Lebanon, 10,000 a month in shifts. They would be a month in Lebanon and two months at home. Adoniram was in charge of the draft.

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Solomon also had 70,000 common laborers, 80,000 quarry workers in the hill country,

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Solomon also had 70,000 burden-bearers and 80,000 stonecutters in the hill country,

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and 3,600e foremen to supervise the work.

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besides Solomon’s 3,300 chief officers who were over the work, who had charge of the people who carried on the work.

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At the king’s command, they quarried large blocks of high-quality stone and shaped them to make the foundation of the Temple.

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At the king’s command they quarried out great, costly stones in order to lay the foundation of the house with dressed stones.

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Men from the city of Gebal helped Solomon’s and Hiram’s builders prepare the timber and stone for the Temple.

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So Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders and the men of Gebal did the cutting and prepared the timber and the stone to build the house.

Parallel

New Living Translation

English Standard Version

1 Kings 5

1 Kings 5