2 Chronicles 2 summary meaning ai explained commentary

2 Chronicles 2 meaning explained in AI Summary

This chapter details the preparations King Solomon makes for building the Temple in Jerusalem, focusing on the resources and manpower needed for this monumental task.

1. Solomon Gathers Workers: Solomon assembles a massive workforce of 153,600 men: 70,000 laborers, 80,000 stonecutters, and 3,600 supervisors. (verses 1-2)

2. Solomon's Agreement with Hiram: Solomon sends a message to King Hiram of Tyre, reminding him of the friendship between Hiram and his father, David. He requests cedar and cypress wood from Lebanon and skilled craftsmen to help build the Temple. (verses 3-10)

3. Hiram's Response: Hiram, overjoyed by Solomon's request, agrees to provide everything. He praises the God of Israel and promises to send the finest timber and skilled workers. (verses 11-16)

4. The Exchange: Solomon agrees to pay Hiram's workers with a fixed amount of wheat, barley, wine, and olive oil. (verses 15-16)

5. The Workforce Begins: The massive workforce of Israelites and skilled Tyrians begin the work of preparing the timber and stone for the Temple's construction. (verse 17-18)

Key Themes:

God's Plan: The building of the Temple is presented as the fulfillment of God's promise to David, emphasizing divine guidance and blessing.
International Cooperation: The collaboration between Solomon and Hiram highlights the potential for peace and shared goals between nations.
Resource Management: The chapter emphasizes the immense resources, both human and material, required for the Temple's construction, showcasing Solomon's organizational skills.

Overall, 2 Chronicles Chapter 2 sets the stage for the grand construction project of Solomon's Temple, highlighting the divine mandate, international cooperation, and meticulous planning involved.

2 Chronicles 2 bible study ai commentary

The central theme of 2 Chronicles 2 is the initiation of the grand Temple project through wise and divinely-blessed diplomacy. Solomon, demonstrating both profound theological understanding and shrewd administrative skill, secures an international partnership with King Hiram of Tyre. This collaboration, which brings together Israelite purpose and Gentile expertise, serves not only to gather materials for God's house but also to broadcast the greatness and universal sovereignty of Yahweh to the nations.

2 Chronicles 2 Context

This chapter is set at the beginning of Solomon's reign, around 966 BC. Israel is at the peak of its power, influence, and wealth, fulfilling the promises made to David. The account parallels 1 Kings 5 but the Chronicler, writing to a post-exilic community needing encouragement, emphasizes different aspects. He highlights the willing cooperation of the Gentile King Hiram, his confession of Yahweh, and the immense, orderly preparation for the Temple. This narrative served to remind the restoration community of their glorious past, the international recognition of their God, and the importance of rebuilding the second Temple with faith and dedication, even with Gentile assistance (e.g., from Cyrus). The focus is less on the political maneuvering and more on the shared spiritual understanding and successful execution of a divine mandate.

2 Chronicles 2:1

Solomon decided to build a temple for the name of the Lord, and a royal palace for himself.

In-depth-analysis

Decided: The Hebrew (wayyō’mer) means "and he said" or "commanded," implying a firm resolution and royal decree, not just a passing thought. It signals the official start of the project envisioned by David.
Temple for the Name of the Lord: This phrasing is theologically significant. It avoids the pagan idea that a physical structure could house a deity. The Temple was to be a place where God's "name" — His reputation, presence, and character — would dwell and be honored. This is a central Deuteronomic concept.
A Royal Palace: The pairing of the Temple and the palace is deliberate. It connects the worship of God with the stability and glory of the Davidic dynasty. A strong kingdom under God's chosen king is seen as a direct outcome of faithfulness to God. For the Chronicler's audience, it linked national identity and prosperity directly to the house of God.

Bible references

1 Kgs 5:5: 'And behold, I purpose to build an house unto the name of the Lord my God, as the Lord spake unto David my father...' (Direct parallel of intent).
2 Sam 7:13: 'He is the one who will build a house for my Name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever.' (Fulfillment of God's promise to David).
Acts 7:47-48: 'But it was Solomon who built a house for him. Yet the Most High does not dwell in temples made by hands...' (NT clarification on God's nature).

Cross references

1 Chr 22:10 (David's charge to Solomon); 1 Chr 28:6 (God's choice of Solomon); Dt 12:5 (a place for His Name); Hag 1:4 (rebuke for neglecting God's house).

2 Chronicles 2:2

He assigned 70,000 men to carry loads and 80,000 men to quarry stone in the mountains and 3,600 to supervise them.

In-depth-analysis

This verse details the massive logistical undertaking required. The numbers are symbolic of the project's immense scale and Solomon's administrative power.
These laborers are identified later (v. 17-18) as "aliens" or resident foreigners (gēr). This is a key detail for the Chronicler. Unlike Pharaoh who enslaved God's people, Solomon utilizes non-Israelites for this heavy labor, preserving the Israelites from such a burden.
The supervisor count here (3,600) differs from 1 Kings 5:16 (3,300). This is likely due to different methods of counting; Chronicles may include a different level of administrative oversight. It's a detail that highlights differing archival sources or classification, not a contradiction.

Bible references

2 Chr 2:17-18: 'And Solomon numbered all the aliens who were in the land of Israel... And he set 70,000 of them to be bearers of burdens...' (Clarifies who the laborers were).
1 Kgs 5:15-16: 'Solomon had seventy thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains...' (Parallel account with different supervisor numbers).
Exo 1:11: 'Therefore they did set over them taskmasters to afflict them with their burdens. And they built for Pharaoh treasure cities...' (Contrast to Israel's enslavement in Egypt).

Cross references

1 Kgs 9:20-22 (confirming Israelites were not made bondservants); Ezr 3:7 (post-exilic temple building also involved loggers and stonecutters).

2 Chronicles 2:3-6

And Solomon sent word to Hiram the king of Tyre, “As you dealt with David my father and sent him cedar to build himself a house, so deal with me... I am about to build a house for the name of the Lord my God and dedicate it to him... The house that I am to build will be great, for our God is great above all gods. But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? Who am I then, that I should build him a house, except as a place to make offerings before him?

In-depth-analysis

As you dealt with David: Solomon appeals to a pre-existing treaty and relationship, showing diplomatic wisdom and valuing historical alliances.
Great, for our God is great: The Temple's grandeur is not for human aggrandizement but to reflect the surpassing greatness of God. This is a direct polemic against the regional deities (Baal, Melqart, Chemosh), explicitly stating Yahweh's supremacy.
Who is able to build him a house... heaven... cannot contain him: This is the theological climax of the letter. Solomon displays profound humility and an accurate understanding of God's transcendence. He knows God is not a local deity confined to a shrine. This sophisticated theology would have impressed Hiram and set Yahweh apart from all other "gods."
Except as a place to make offerings: Solomon clarifies the Temple's true purpose: a focal point for worship, sacrifice, and communion with a God who is everywhere. It is a place of access, not containment.

Bible references

Isa 66:1: 'Thus says the Lord: "Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool; what is the house that you would build for me...?"' (Echoes the theme of God's transcendence).
Acts 17:24: 'The God who made the world and everything in it, being Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in temples made by hands...' (Paul's use of the same theological argument in Athens).
Dt 10:17: 'For the Lord your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God...' (The foundational belief of God's supremacy that Solomon expresses).

Cross references

2 Sam 5:11 (Hiram helping David); 1 Kgs 8:27 (Solomon's prayer at the dedication); Ps 135:5 (our Lord is greater than all gods).

2 Chronicles 2:7-10

So now send me a man skilled to work in gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and in purple, crimson, and blue fabrics, skilled also in engraving, to be with the skilled workers who are with me in Judah and Jerusalem, whom David my father provided... Also send me cedar, cypress, and algum logs from Lebanon... I will provide for your servants... 20,000 cors of crushed wheat, 20,000 cors of barley, 20,000 baths of wine, and 20,000 baths of oil.”

In-depth-analysis

A man skilled...: The request for a master craftsman recalls the calling of Bezalel and Oholiab, who were filled with the Spirit of God to build the Tabernacle (Exo 31, 35). This connects the Temple to its holy predecessor. The skill set required is vast, covering metallurgy, textiles, and carving.
Purple, crimson, and blue: These were the same colors used for the Tabernacle's curtains and priestly garments, signifying royalty, sacrifice, and the heavens. This maintains theological continuity.
Cedar, cypress, and algum: These high-quality, durable, and aromatic woods from Lebanon were highly prized for sacred construction in the ancient Near East. "Algum" is likely a transliteration for a fine, reddish wood, possibly sandalwood.
The Payment: The sheer volume of wheat, barley, wine, and oil demonstrates Israel's agricultural wealth under Solomon and the massive scale of Hiram's labor force. It was a fair trade, not an oppressive tribute. A "cor" was about 220 liters, and a "bath" was about 22 liters.

Bible references

Exo 31:2-5: 'See, I have called by name Bezalel... and I have filled him with the Spirit of God, in wisdom... to work in all manner of workmanship.' (The Tabernacle prototype for a skilled artisan).
1 Kgs 7:13-14: 'And king Solomon sent and fetched Hiram out of Tyre. He was a widow's son of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre...' (Identifies the skilled artisan).
Ezr 3:7: 'So they gave money to the masons and the carpenters, and food, drink, and oil to the Sidonians and the Tyrians...' (Post-exilic rebuilding mirrored this trade agreement).

Cross references

Exo 25-27 (materials for the tabernacle); 1 Chr 22:4 (David's preparation of timber); 1 Chr 29:2-5 (David's provision of skilled men and materials).

2 Chronicles 2:11-12

Then Hiram the king of Tyre answered in a letter to Solomon, “Because the Lord loves his people, he has made you king over them.” Hiram also said, “Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, who has given King David a wise son, who has discretion and understanding, who will build a house for the Lord and a palace for himself.

In-depth-analysis

Because the Lord loves his people: Hiram's response is theologically profound. He doesn't attribute Solomon's kingship to his power or ambition, but to Yahweh's covenant love for Israel. This is a central theme for the Chronicler, who emphasizes that God's favor is the source of Israel's success.
Blessed be the Lord (YHWH), the God of Israel: A gentile king blesses Yahweh by name. This is a powerful testimony to the effectiveness of Solomon's "witness" in his letter.
Who made heaven and earth: This is not a generic compliment. Hiram uses the specific Israelite language for the Creator God (cf. Gen 1:1, Neh 9:6), acknowledging Yahweh not just as Israel's tribal god, but as the universal Sovereign. This is a massive polemical victory against the polytheistic cosmologies of Tyre and Sidon.

Polemics

The declaration that Yahweh "made heaven and earth" directly challenges the authority of the chief Canaanite deity, Baal, who was worshiped as a storm god and controller of fertility, but not typically as the primordial creator of all things. Hiram's confession subordinates his own national gods to the God of Israel. This narrative moment serves as a powerful evangelistic model.

Bible references

Gen 14:19-20: 'And he blessed him and said, "Blessed be Abram by God Most High, Possessor of heaven and earth; and blessed be God Most High..."' (Melchizedek, another gentile king, blesses God in similar terms).
Neh 9:6: 'You are the Lord, you alone. You have made heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their host, the earth and all that is on it...' (The standard Israelite confession of God as Creator).
Dan 2:47: 'The king answered and said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings..."' (Another pagan king, Nebuchadnezzar, making a similar confession).

Cross references

1 Kgs 10:9 (Queen of Sheba echoes Hiram's sentiment); Ruth 1:8 (a foreigner acknowledging the Lord); Jonah 1:9 (Jonah's confession to gentile sailors).

2 Chronicles 2:13-16

“Now I have sent a skilled man, who has understanding, Huram-abi, the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre. He is trained to work in gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, and wood, and in purple, blue, and crimson fabrics and fine linen... We will cut whatever timber you need from Lebanon and bring it to you in rafts by sea to Joppa, so that you may take it up to Jerusalem.”

In-depth-analysis

Huram-abi: This name likely means "Huram, my master" or "father." In 1 Kings, he is simply "Hiram." He is a master artisan, the answer to Solomon's specific request.
Son of a woman of... Dan... his father was a man of Tyre: His mixed heritage is highly symbolic. It represents the collaboration of Jew and Gentile to build God's house. The tribe of Dan was known for its artisanship (Exo 31:6), and Tyre was renowned for its master craftsmen. This man embodies the best of both worlds. For later readers, it prefigures the inclusion of Gentiles into the people of God.
Joppa: This was the main port for Jerusalem, about 35 miles northwest. The logistics were enormous: float massive timber rafts down the coast and then haul them inland and uphill to the building site in Jerusalem.

Bible references

Eph 2:19-22: '...you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God... Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone...' (NT theology of Jew and Gentile united in God's building).
1 Kgs 7:14: 'He was the son of a widow of the tribe of Naphtali, and his father was a man of Tyre...' (The parallel account lists his mother from Naphtali, not Dan. Both were northern tribes, and families could have inter-tribal connections. Dan's territory originally bordered Phoenicia).
Jonah 1:3: 'But Jonah rose to flee to Tarshish from the presence of the Lord. He went down to Joppa and found a ship...' (Shows Joppa as Israel's primary seaport).

Cross references

Ezr 3:7 (Joppa used again for second temple timber); Acts 9:36 (Peter's ministry in Joppa).

2 Chronicles 2:17-18

Then Solomon counted all the resident aliens who were in the land of Israel, after the census of them that David his father had taken, and there were found 153,600. And he assigned 70,000 of them to carry loads, and 80,000 to be quarrymen in the hill country, and 3,600 to be supervisors to make the people work.

In-depth-analysis

Resident aliens (gēr): This is the official census, confirming the numbers from verse 2. These were non-Israelites living permanently in the land. The law commanded that they be treated fairly (Lev 19:34).
After the census... that David had taken: The Chronicler connects this census to David, giving it legitimacy and showing Solomon carrying out his father's plans. This contrasts with the "sinful" military census of David in 1 Chronicles 21. This census was for a holy purpose: building the house of the Lord.
To make the people work: This work, while strenuous, is presented as organized labor for a noble cause, not as punitive slavery. However, the use of a large, conscripted foreign labor force would later create a model that, when Solomon applied a lighter version to Israelites, led to rebellion (1 Kgs 12:4).

Bible references

Lev 19:34: 'You shall treat the stranger who sojourns with you as the native among you, and you shall love him as yourself...' (The legal and moral obligation toward the gēr).
1 Chr 22:2: 'David commanded to gather together the sojourners who were in the land of Israel, and he set masons to cut dressed stones to build the house of God.' (Shows this was David's pre-arranged plan).
Eph 2:19: 'So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints...' (The spiritual fulfillment where former "aliens" are brought fully into God's family).

Cross references

Dt 24:14-15 (commands for fair treatment of hired laborers); 1 Kgs 9:20-22 (confirming the foreign source of the laborers).

2 Chronicles chapter 2 analysis

Witness and Confession: The central interaction between Solomon and Hiram serves as a powerful example of testimony. Solomon’s letter isn't just a business request; it’s a theological statement about God's supremacy and transcendence. This prompts Hiram to make one of the most remarkable confessions of faith by a non-Israelite in the Old Testament, acknowledging Yahweh as the loving, sovereign Creator.
Jew-Gentile Union: The project is a joint venture. Israel provides the vision, divine mandate, and resources, while Tyre provides the expert craftsmanship and materials. Huram-abi, with his mixed Israelite-Phoenician parentage, is the perfect symbol of this union. This powerfully prefigures the New Covenant theme where the "dividing wall" is broken down and both Jew and Gentile together form the temple of the Holy Spirit (Eph 2:14-22).
Theology of "The Name": The repeated phrase "a house for the name of the Lord" is critical. It moves beyond a primitive understanding of a god inhabiting a statue or building. The Temple is a memorial, an embassy, a place on earth uniquely designated to represent the character and presence of the transcendent Creator who cannot be contained by His creation.
Polemical Purpose: The Chronicler intentionally frames this narrative to inspire the post-exilic community. He shows a golden age where even powerful gentile kings honored Yahweh and eagerly assisted in building His Temple. The message was clear: do not be discouraged by your present circumstances or reliance on foreign powers (like Persia). God's reputation can be proclaimed, and His work can be done, through faithful and wise interaction with the nations.

2 Chronicles 2 summary

Solomon formally begins the Temple project by leveraging the alliance his father David had with King Hiram of Tyre. Through a diplomatically wise and theologically profound letter, Solomon requests a master craftsman and timber, articulating that the Temple is not to contain the transcendent God but to honor His great Name. Hiram responds enthusiastically, blessing Yahweh as the Creator God and agreeing to supply both the requested artisan, Huram-abi, and the materials. Solomon then organizes a massive labor force from the resident aliens in Israel to begin the preparations, fulfilling the plans of his father David.

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2 Chronicles 2 AI Image Audio and Video

2 Chronicles chapter 2 kjv

¹ And Solomon determined to build an house for the name of the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.
² And Solomon told out threescore and ten thousand men to bear burdens, and fourscore thousand to hew in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred to oversee them.
³ And Solomon sent to Huram the king of Tyre, saying, As thou didst deal with David my father, and didst send him cedars to build him an house to dwell therein, even so deal with me.
⁴ Behold, I build an house to the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to him, and to burn before him sweet incense, and for the continual shewbread, and for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the sabbaths, and on the new moons, and on the solemn feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance for ever to Israel.
⁵ And the house which I build is great: for great is our God above all gods.
⁶ But who is able to build him an house, seeing the heaven and heaven of heavens cannot contain him? who am I then, that I should build him an house, save only to burn sacrifice before him?
⁷ Send me now therefore a man cunning to work in gold, and in silver, and in brass, and in iron, and in purple, and crimson, and blue, and that can skill to grave with the cunning men that are with me in Judah and in Jerusalem, whom David my father did provide.
⁸ Send me also cedar trees, fir trees, and algum trees, out of Lebanon: for I know that thy servants can skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and, behold, my servants shall be with thy servants,
⁹ Even to prepare me timber in abundance: for the house which I am about to build shall be wonderful great.
¹⁰ And, behold, I will give to thy servants, the hewers that cut timber, twenty thousand measures of beaten wheat, and twenty thousand measures of barley, and twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.
¹¹ Then Huram the king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon, Because the LORD hath loved his people, he hath made thee king over them.
¹² Huram said moreover, Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, that made heaven and earth, who hath given to David the king a wise son, endued with prudence and understanding, that might build an house for the LORD, and an house for his kingdom.
¹³ And now I have sent a cunning man, endued with understanding, of Huram my father's,
¹⁴ The son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre, skillful to work in gold, and in silver, in brass, in iron, in stone, and in timber, in purple, in blue, and in fine linen, and in crimson; also to grave any manner of graving, and to find out every device which shall be put to him, with thy cunning men, and with the cunning men of my lord David thy father.
¹⁵ Now therefore the wheat, and the barley, the oil, and the wine, which my lord hath spoken of, let him send unto his servants:
¹⁶ And we will cut wood out of Lebanon, as much as thou shalt need: and we will bring it to thee in floats by sea to Joppa; and thou shalt carry it up to Jerusalem.
¹⁷ And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Israel, after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them; and they were found an hundred and fifty thousand and three thousand and six hundred.
¹⁸ And he set threescore and ten thousand of them to be bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand to be hewers in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work.

2 Chronicles chapter 2 nkjv

¹ Then Solomon determined to build a temple for the name of the LORD, and a royal house for himself.
² Solomon selected seventy thousand men to bear burdens, eighty thousand to quarry stone in the mountains, and three thousand six hundred to oversee them.
³ Then Solomon sent to Hiram king of Tyre, saying: As you have dealt with David my father, and sent him cedars to build himself a house to dwell in, so deal with me.
⁴ Behold, I am building a temple for the name of the LORD my God, to dedicate it to Him, to burn before Him sweet incense, for the continual showbread, for the burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths, on the New Moons, and on the set feasts of the LORD our God. This is an ordinance forever to Israel.
⁵ And the temple which I build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods.
⁶ But who is able to build Him a temple, since heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him? Who am I then, that I should build Him a temple, except to burn sacrifice before Him?
⁷ Therefore send me at once a man skillful to work in gold and silver, in bronze and iron, in purple and crimson and blue, who has skill to engrave with the skillful men who are with me in Judah and Jerusalem, whom David my father provided.
⁸ Also send me cedar and cypress and algum logs from Lebanon, for I know that your servants have skill to cut timber in Lebanon; and indeed my servants will be with your servants,
⁹ to prepare timber for me in abundance, for the temple which I am about to build shall be great and wonderful.
¹⁰ And indeed I will give to your servants, the woodsmen who cut timber, twenty thousand kors of ground wheat, twenty thousand kors of barley, twenty thousand baths of wine, and twenty thousand baths of oil.
¹¹ Then Hiram king of Tyre answered in writing, which he sent to Solomon: Because the LORD loves His people, He has made you king over them.
¹² Hiram also said: Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, for He has given King David a wise son, endowed with prudence and understanding, who will build a temple for the LORD and a royal house for himself!
¹³ And now I have sent a skillful man, endowed with understanding, Huram my master craftsman
¹⁴ (the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre), skilled to work in gold and silver, bronze and iron, stone and wood, purple and blue, fine linen and crimson, and to make any engraving and to accomplish any plan which may be given to him, with your skillful men and with the skillful men of my lord David your father.
¹⁵ Now therefore, the wheat, the barley, the oil, and the wine which my lord has spoken of, let him send to his servants.
¹⁶ And we will cut wood from Lebanon, as much as you need; we will bring it to you in rafts by sea to Joppa, and you will carry it up to Jerusalem.
¹⁷ Then Solomon numbered all the aliens who were in the land of Israel, after the census in which David his father had numbered them; and there were found to be one hundred and fifty-three thousand six hundred.
¹⁸ And he made seventy thousand of them bearers of burdens, eighty thousand stonecutters in the mountain, and three thousand six hundred overseers to make the people work.

2 Chronicles chapter 2 niv

¹ Solomon gave orders to build a temple for the Name of the LORD and a royal palace for himself.
² He conscripted 70,000 men as carriers and 80,000 as stonecutters in the hills and 3,600 as foremen over them.
³ Solomon sent this message to Hiram king of Tyre: "Send me cedar logs as you did for my father David when you sent him cedar to build a palace to live in.
⁴ Now I am about to build a temple for the Name of the LORD my God and to dedicate it to him for burning fragrant incense before him, for setting out the consecrated bread regularly, and for making burnt offerings every morning and evening and on the Sabbaths, at the New Moons and at the appointed festivals of the LORD our God. This is a lasting ordinance for Israel.
⁵ "The temple I am going to build will be great, because our God is greater than all other gods.
⁶ But who is able to build a temple for him, since the heavens, even the highest heavens, cannot contain him? Who then am I to build a temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices before him?
⁷ "Send me, therefore, a man skilled to work in gold and silver, bronze and iron, and in purple, crimson and blue yarn, and experienced in the art of engraving, to work in Judah and Jerusalem with my skilled workers, whom my father David provided.
⁸ "Send me also cedar, juniper and algum logs from Lebanon, for I know that your servants are skilled in cutting timber there. My servants will work with yours
⁹ to provide me with plenty of lumber, because the temple I build must be large and magnificent.
¹⁰ I will give your servants, the woodsmen who cut the timber, twenty thousand cors of ground wheat, twenty thousand cors of barley, twenty thousand baths of wine and twenty thousand baths of olive oil."
¹¹ Hiram king of Tyre replied by letter to Solomon: "Because the LORD loves his people, he has made you their king."
¹² And Hiram added: "Praise be to the LORD, the God of Israel, who made heaven and earth! He has given King David a wise son, endowed with intelligence and discernment, who will build a temple for the LORD and a palace for himself.
¹³ "I am sending you Huram-Abi, a man of great skill,
¹⁴ whose mother was from Dan and whose father was from Tyre. He is trained to work in gold and silver, bronze and iron, stone and wood, and with purple and blue and crimson yarn and fine linen. He is experienced in all kinds of engraving and can execute any design given to him. He will work with your skilled workers and with those of my lord, David your father.
¹⁵ "Now let my lord send his servants the wheat and barley and the olive oil and wine he promised,
¹⁶ and we will cut all the logs from Lebanon that you need and will float them as rafts by sea down to Joppa. You can then take them up to Jerusalem."
¹⁷ Solomon took a census of all the foreigners residing in Israel, after the census his father David had taken; and they were found to be 153,600.
¹⁸ He assigned 70,000 of them to be carriers and 80,000 to be stonecutters in the hills, with 3,600 foremen over them to keep the people working.

2 Chronicles chapter 2 esv

¹ Now Solomon purposed to build a temple for the name of the LORD, and a royal palace for himself.
² And Solomon assigned 70,000 men to bear burdens and 80,000 to quarry in the hill country, and 3,600 to oversee them.
³ And Solomon sent word to Hiram the king of Tyre: "As you dealt with David my father and sent him cedar to build himself a house to dwell in, so deal with me.
⁴ Behold, I am about to build a house for the name of the LORD my God and dedicate it to him for the burning of incense of sweet spices before him, and for the regular arrangement of the showbread, and for burnt offerings morning and evening, on the Sabbaths and the new moons and the appointed feasts of the LORD our God, as ordained forever for Israel.
⁵ The house that I am to build will be great, for our God is greater than all gods.
⁶ But who is able to build him a house, since heaven, even highest heaven, cannot contain him? Who am I to build a house for him, except as a place to make offerings before him?
⁷ So now send me a man skilled to work in gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and in purple, crimson, and blue fabrics, trained also in engraving, to be with the skilled workers who are with me in Judah and Jerusalem, whom David my father provided.
⁸ Send me also cedar, cypress, and algum timber from Lebanon, for I know that your servants know how to cut timber in Lebanon. And my servants will be with your servants,
⁹ to prepare timber for me in abundance, for the house I am to build will be great and wonderful.
¹⁰ I will give for your servants, the woodsmen who cut timber, 20,000 cors of crushed wheat, 20,000 cors of barley, 20,000 baths of wine, and 20,000 baths of oil."
¹¹ Then Hiram the king of Tyre answered in a letter that he sent to Solomon, "Because the LORD loves his people, he has made you king over them."
¹² Hiram also said, "Blessed be the LORD God of Israel, who made heaven and earth, who has given King David a wise son, who has discretion and understanding, who will build a temple for the LORD and a royal palace for himself.
¹³ "Now I have sent a skilled man, who has understanding, Huram-abi,
¹⁴ the son of a woman of the daughters of Dan, and his father was a man of Tyre. He is trained to work in gold, silver, bronze, iron, stone, and wood, and in purple, blue, and crimson fabrics and fine linen, and to do all sorts of engraving and execute any design that may be assigned him, with your craftsmen, the craftsmen of my lord, David your father.
¹⁵ Now therefore the wheat and barley, oil and wine, of which my lord has spoken, let him send to his servants.
¹⁶ And we will cut whatever timber you need from Lebanon and bring it to you in rafts by sea to Joppa, so that you may take it up to Jerusalem."
¹⁷ Then Solomon counted all the resident aliens who were in the land of Israel, after the census of them that David his father had taken, and there were found 153,600.
¹⁸ Seventy thousand of them he assigned to bear burdens, 80,000 to quarry in the hill country, and 3,600 as overseers to make the people work.

2 Chronicles chapter 2 nlt

¹ Solomon decided to build a Temple to honor the name of the LORD, and also a royal palace for himself.
² He enlisted a force of 70,000 laborers, 80,000 men to quarry stone in the hill country, and 3,600 foremen.
³ Solomon also sent this message to King Hiram at Tyre: "Send me cedar logs as you did for my father, David, when he was building his palace.
⁴ I am about to build a Temple to honor the name of the LORD my God. It will be a place set apart to burn fragrant incense before him, to display the special sacrificial bread, and to sacrifice burnt offerings each morning and evening, on the Sabbaths, at new moon celebrations, and at the other appointed festivals of the LORD our God. He has commanded Israel to do these things forever.
⁵ "This must be a magnificent Temple because our God is greater than all other gods.
⁶ But who can really build him a worthy home? Not even the highest heavens can contain him! So who am I to consider building a Temple for him, except as a place to burn sacrifices to him?
⁷ "So send me a master craftsman who can work with gold, silver, bronze, and iron, as well as with purple, scarlet, and blue cloth. He must be a skilled engraver who can work with the craftsmen of Judah and Jerusalem who were selected by my father, David.
⁸ "Also send me cedar, cypress, and red sandalwood logs from Lebanon, for I know that your men are without equal at cutting timber in Lebanon. I will send my men to help them.
⁹ An immense amount of timber will be needed, for the Temple I am going to build will be very large and magnificent.
¹⁰ In payment for your woodcutters, I will send 100,000 bushels of crushed wheat, 100,000 bushels of barley, 110,000 gallons of wine, and 110,000 gallons of olive oil. "
¹¹ King Hiram sent this letter of reply to Solomon: "It is because the LORD loves his people that he has made you their king!
¹² Praise the LORD, the God of Israel, who made the heavens and the earth! He has given King David a wise son, gifted with skill and understanding, who will build a Temple for the LORD and a royal palace for himself.
¹³ "I am sending you a master craftsman named Huram-abi, who is extremely talented.
¹⁴ His mother is from the tribe of Dan in Israel, and his father is from Tyre. He is skillful at making things from gold, silver, bronze, and iron, and he also works with stone and wood. He can work with purple, blue, and scarlet cloth and fine linen. He is also an engraver and can follow any design given to him. He will work with your craftsmen and those appointed by my lord David, your father.
¹⁵ "Send along the wheat, barley, olive oil, and wine that my lord has mentioned.
¹⁶ We will cut whatever timber you need from the Lebanon mountains and will float the logs in rafts down the coast of the Mediterranean Sea to Joppa. From there you can transport the logs up to Jerusalem."
¹⁷ Solomon took a census of all foreigners in the land of Israel, like the census his father had taken, and he counted 153,600.
¹⁸ He assigned 70,000 of them as common laborers, 80,000 as quarry workers in the hill country, and 3,600 as foremen.