1 Kings 5

All 18 verses in the Clear Bible Translation. Tap a verse to compare the KJV and read what it means.

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1. 1King Hiram of Tyre sent his servants to Solomon because he had heard that Solomon had been anointed king in place of his father. Hiram had always been David's friend.
2. 2Solomon sent a message to Hiram:
3. 3You know that my father David could not build a house for the name of the LORD his God because of the wars around him on every side, until the LORD put his enemies under his feet.
4. 4But now the LORD my God has given me rest on every side. There is no enemy and no disaster.
5. 5Look, I plan to build a house for the name of the LORD my God, just as the LORD told David my father, saying, 'Your son, whom I will place on your throne in your place, will build a house for my name.'
6. 6So please order your workers to cut cedar trees for me from Lebanon. My workers will serve alongside yours, and I'll pay your workers whatever wages you set. You know as well as I do that nobody can cut timber like the Sidonians."
7. 7When Hiram heard Solomon's words, he was very happy and said, "May the LORD be blessed today, for he has given David a wise son to rule over this great people."
8. 8Hiram sent word to Solomon, saying, 'I have considered the things you sent to me about, and I will do all that you desire concerning timber of cedar and timber of fir.'
9. 9My workers will bring the logs down from Lebanon to the sea. I will have them transported by sea in rafts to the place you choose, and I will have them unloaded there for you to collect. You will fulfill my desire by providing food for my household.
10. 10So Hiram gave Solomon all the cedar and fir trees he wanted.
11. 11Solomon gave Hiram 20,000 measures of wheat for food for his household and 20 measures of pure oil. Solomon provided this to Hiram every year.
12. 12The LORD gave Solomon wisdom, just as he promised. There was peace between Hiram and Solomon, and the two of them made a treaty together.
13. 13King Solomon conscripted a labor force from all of Israel, totaling 30,000 men.
14. 14He sent them to Lebanon in shifts of 10,000 each month. They worked one month in Lebanon and spent two months at home. Adoniram was in charge of the labor force.
15. 15Solomon had 70,000 men carrying burdens and 80,000 men cutting stone in the mountains.
16. 16In addition to the chief officers of Solomon who were in charge of the work, there were 3,300 who supervised the people doing the work.
17. 17The king commanded that large, valuable, and cut stones be brought to lay the foundation of the house.
18. 18Solomon's builders, Hiram's builders, and the stonecutters shaped the stones and prepared the timber and stones to build the house.