³ “You know that because of the wars^(A) waged against my father David from all sides, he could not build^(B) a temple for the Name of the Lord his God until the Lord put his enemies under his feet.^{(C) 4} But now the Lord my God has given me rest^(D) on every side, and there is no adversary^(E) or disaster. ⁵ I intend, therefore, to build a temple^(F) for the Name of the Lord my God, as the Lord told my father David, when he said, ‘Your son whom I will put on the throne in your place will build the temple for my Name.’^(G)

⁶ “So give orders that cedars^(H) of Lebanon be cut for me. My men will work with yours, and I will pay you for your men whatever wages you set. You know that we have no one so skilled in felling timber as the Sidonians.”