1 Kings 5:1-6

1Hiram was the king of Tyre. He heard that Solomon had become king of Israel after his father David. Hiram had always been a friend of King David, so he sent his men to say ‘hello’ to Solomon.

2Solomon then sent this message to Hiram:

3‘You know that my father David could not build a temple for the Lord his God. This was because he had to fight battles against enemies that were all around Israel. He did that until the Lord helped him to win against all of them.

4But now the Lord my God has made us safe from danger. No enemy tries to attack us on any of our borders.

5So I have decided to build a temple to give honour to the Lord my God. The Lord said to my father David, “I will put your son on your throne to rule as king after you. He will build a temple for people to give honour to my name.”

6So please tell your men to cut down cedar trees in Lebanon for me. We ourselves do not have people who know how to cut wood from trees as well as your men from Sidon. So our men will help your men with the work. And I will pay your workers whatever you decide is right.’