1. Solomon gave orders to build a temple for the Lord’s name and to build a royal palace for himself.
2. To work in the highlands, Solomon drafted 70,000 laborers, 80,000 stonecutters, and 3,600 supervisors.
3. Solomon sent the following message to King Huram of Tyre:When my father David was building his palace, you sent him cedar logs.
4. Now as his son I am about to build a temple in the name of the Lord my God. I will dedicate it to him to burn fragrant incense before him, to set out the bread that is regularly displayed, and to offer entirely burned offerings every morning and evening, on the sabbaths, the first of every month, and the festivals of the Lord our God, as Israel has been commanded to do forever.
5. The temple I am about to build must be magnificent, because our God is greater than all other gods.
6. But who is able to build such a temple when even the highest heaven can’t contain God? And who am I that I should build this temple for God, except as a place to burn incense in his presence?
7. So now send me a craftsman skilled in gold, silver, bronze, and iron, as well as in purple, crimson, and violet yarn—someone also experienced as an engraver. He will work with my craftsmen in Judah and Jerusalem who were provided by my father David.
8. Also send me cedar, cypress, and sandalwood logs from Lebanon. I know your servants know how to cut Lebanese timber, so my servants will work with your servants
9. to prepare plenty of timber for me, because the temple that I am about to build will be magnificent and amazing.