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1 Kings

Starts with King Solomon's reign, his wisdom, and building the temple, then the kingdom dividing into Israel and Judah.

Chapter 5

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1 And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David.

*Hiram, the king of Tyre, sent his helpers to Solomon because he heard that Solomon was made king after his father. Hiram always liked David, Solomon's father.

2 And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,

*"Solomon sent a message to Hiram,"

3 Thou knowest how that David my father could not build an house unto the name of the LORD his God for the wars which were about him on every side, until the LORD put them under the soles of his feet.

*You know that David, my father, couldn't build a house for God's name because of the constant battles around him. But God eventually stopped those fights and let David win.

4 But now the LORD my God hath given me rest on every side, so that there is neither adversary nor evil occurrent.

*But now, my God has provided me with peace everywhere, which means I have no enemies or bad events happening.

5 And, behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the LORD my God, as the LORD spake unto David my father, saying, Thy son, whom I will set upon thy throne in thy room, he shall build an house unto my name.

*And look, I plan to build a house for the name of the Lord God, just like the Lord said to David my father: "Your son, who I will put on your throne, will then build a house for my name."

6 Now therefore command thou that they hew me cedar trees out of Lebanon; and my servants shall be with thy servants: and unto thee will I give hire for thy servants according to all that thou shalt appoint: for thou knowest that there is not among us any that can skill to hew timber like unto the Sidonians.

*Now, so order them to cut cedar trees from Lebanon for me. My helpers will work together with your helpers. I'll pay your helpers whatever you decide, because you know nobody here knows how to cut wood like the people from Sidon.

7 And it came to pass, when Hiram heard the words of Solomon, that he rejoiced greatly, and said, Blessed be the LORD this day, which hath given unto David a wise son over this great people.

*When Hiram heard Solomon's words, he was very happy and said, "Praise the Lord today! He has given David a smart son to lead these important people."

8 And Hiram sent to Solomon, saying, I have considered the things which thou sentest to me for: and I will do all thy desire concerning timber of cedar, and concerning timber of fir.

*Hiram told Solomon, "I looked at what you sent me about. I will do everything you want with cedar and fir wood."

9 My servants shall bring them down from Lebanon unto the sea: and I will convey them by sea in floats unto the place that thou shalt appoint me, and will cause them to be discharged there, and thou shalt receive them: and thou shalt accomplish my desire, in giving food for my household.

*My helpers will carry things from Lebanon to the sea. I'll transport them on boats to where you tell me, and I'll unload them there. You'll get them, and you'll help me provide food for my family.

10 So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire.

*Hiram provided Solomon with cedar and fir trees as much as he wanted them.

11 And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year.

*Solomon provided Hiram with 20,000 units of wheat and 20 units of pure oil for his family's food each year.

12 And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.

*The LORD provided Solomon with wisdom, just as He said He would. There was also peace between Hiram and Solomon, and they formed a partnership together.

13 And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.

*King Solomon gathered an army from all of Israel, and it had 30,000 soldiers.

14 And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses: a month they were in Lebanon, and two months at home: and Adoniram was over the levy.

*He sent people to Lebanon in groups of ten thousand every month. They spent one month working in Lebanon and two months at home. Adoniram managed this workforce.

15 And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains;

*Solomon had 70,000 workers carrying loads and 80,000 stone cutters in the mountains.

16 Beside the chief of Solomon’s officers which were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in the work.

*Next to Solomon's main supervisor, who led 3,330 other workers, there were people managing the laborers.

17 And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.

*The king ordered, and they brought large, valuable, and cut stones to build the house's foundation.

18 And Solomon’s builders and Hiram’s builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.

*Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders cut wood and stone for making the house. They prepared these materials for construction.

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* work in progress, there will be mistakes

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