1 King 5: Solomon places an order for cedar wood and stones

Synopsis:

King Solomon contracts with the king Hiram of Tyre Lebanon for cedar trees so that he can build a temple for God. Tyre agrees. Apparently only the Sidonians are good at cutting timber. God pays Hiram 20,000 measures of what and 20 measure of oil every year. He also levies 30,000 men to go and be servants to Hiram. These servants are rotated 10,000 a month over 3 months. Each man is in Lebanon for 1 month and 2 months at home. Solomon’s men had 70,000 burden bearers and 80,000 hewers in the mountains. He had 3,300 overseers to oversee the work.

In other words:

Solomon makes peace with Tyre/Lebanon by purchasing a lot of cedar from King Hiram.

Favorite bit:

1 Kings 5:12 there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.

2nd favorite bit:

1 Kings 5:6 – “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.”  Flattery apparently works – as does not just stealing what you want – but paying for it – civilly.

Moral lessons learned:

Sincere flattery improves relations (1 Kings 5)
Want peace? Don’t steal things. Pay for them like a civilized person. (1 Kings 5)

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