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.
So now, please order your people to cut down cedar trees from Lebanon for me. My workers will work alongside yours, and I will pay your workers whatever price you set. You know that none of my people have the skill to cut timber like the people of Sidon do.
Solomon is asking King Hiram to provide skilled workers and cedar wood from Lebanon for building the temple, offering to pay whatever Hiram asks because his own people lack the expertise.
📚 Historical Context
This is part of Solomon's request to King Hiram of Tyre for materials and skilled craftsmen to build the temple in Jerusalem. Lebanon's cedar trees were famous throughout the ancient world for their quality and durability, making them highly prized for important construction projects. The Sidonians (people from the coastal city of Sidon) were renowned for their expertise in timber work and construction.
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