“Then of his royal bounty he
Gave what the queen liked best,
And thus King Solomon dismissed
His pleased and grateful guest.
KING OF TYRE.
“Hiram, King of Tyre, was ever a lover of David."—Kings v.
King Solomon his servant sent
To Hiram, King of Tyre,
To say, “thus saith King David’s son
Thy servant doth desire
To build a temple for the Lord,
And he would buy of thee,
Cedars of Lebanon, and firs,
To be sent down by sea.”
And Hiram heard these words, and said,
“My servant shall convey
All thou dost need from Lebanon;
Blessed be the Lord this day!
“David, thy father, was my friend,
I love thy people, too;
And I rejoice that God doth give
Wisdom and grace to you.
“Now, therefore, let us make a league
Of friendship and of peace;
All thou shalt need, I will supply,
Until the work shall cease.”
Thousands of men were thus employed,
Sidonians, Tyrians, Jews,
To cut the timber and the stones,
For Solomon to use.
No sound of hammer, axe, or tool,
Around God’s house was heard,—
All was prepared in Lebanon,
According to his word.