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Moreover Hiram, king of Tyre, when he had heard that Solonion succeeded
to his father's kingdom, was very glad of it, for he was a friend of David's.
So he sent ambassadors to him, and saluted him, and congratulated him on
the present happy state of his affairs. Upon which Solomon sent him an
epistle, the contents of which here follow:
“SOLOMON TO KING HIRAM.
"1Know
thou that my father would have built a temple to God, but was hindered
by wars, and continual expeditions; for he did not leave off to overthrow
his enemies till he made them all subject to tribute. But I give thanks
to God for the peace I at present enjoy, and on that account I am at leisure,
and design to build a house to God, for God foretold to my father that
such a house should he built by me; wherefore I desire thee to send some
of thy subjects with mine to Mount Lebanon to cut down timber, for the
Sidonians are more skillful than our people in cutting of wood. As for
wages to the hewers of wood, I will pay whatsoever price thou shalt determine."”
1 These epistles of Solomon and Hiram are those in 1 Kings 5:3-9, and, as enlarged, in 2 Chronicles 2:3-16, but here given us by Josephus in his own words.
Flavius Josephus. The Works of Flavius Josephus. Translated by. William Whiston, A.M. Auburn and Buffalo. John E. Beardsley. 1895.
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