12. Solomon also uttered three thousand proverbs, and his songs numbered a thousand and five.
13. He spoke of plants, from the cedar on Lebanon to the hyssop growing out of the wall, and he spoke about beasts, birds, reptiles, and fishes.
14. People from all nations came to hear Solomon’s wisdom, sent by all the kings of the earth who had heard of his wisdom.
15. When Hiram, king of Tyre, heard that Solomon had been anointed king in place of his father, he sent an embassy to him; for Hiram had always been David’s friend.
16. Solomon sent back this message to Hiram:
17. “You know that David my father, because of the wars that beset him, could not build a house for the name of the Lord his God until such time as the Lord should put his enemies under the soles of his feet.
18. But now the Lord, my God, has given me rest on all sides, without adversary or misfortune.