13-14 He said, “What kind of reward is this, my friend? Twenty backwoods hick towns!” People still refer to them that way. This is all Hiram got from Solomon in exchange for four and a half tons of gold!

* * *

15 This is the work record of the labor force that King Solomon raised to build The Temple of God, his palace, the defense complex (the Millo), the Jerusalem wall, and the fortified cities of Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer.

16-17 Pharaoh king of Egypt had come up and captured Gezer, torched it, and killed all the Canaanites who lived there. He gave it as a wedding present to his daughter, Solomon’s wife. So Solomon rebuilt Gezer.

17-19 He also built Lower Beth Horon, Baalath, and Tamar in the desert, back-country storehouse villages, and villages for chariots and horses. Solomon built widely and extravagantly in Jerusalem, in Lebanon, and wherever he fancied.

Read full chapter

Bible Gateway Recommends

The Message of Easter - eBook
The Message of Easter - eBook
Retail: $4.99
Our Price: $3.99
Save: $1.00 (20%)
The Message // REMIX 2.0--soft leather-look, textured pieces
The Message // REMIX 2.0--soft leather-look, textured pieces
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $32.99
Save: $7.00 (18%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
The Message The Book of Proverbs
The Message The Book of Proverbs
Retail: $4.99
Our Price: $4.19
Save: $0.80 (16%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars
The Message//REMIX 2.0, Purple Swirl
The Message//REMIX 2.0, Purple Swirl
Retail: $39.99
Our Price: $17.99
Save: $22.00 (55%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
My First Message: A Devotional Bible for Kids
My First Message: A Devotional Bible for Kids
Retail: $24.99
Our Price: $18.99
Save: $6.00 (24%)
4.5 of 5.0 stars
The Message Devotional Bible, Softcover
The Message Devotional Bible, Softcover
Retail: $24.99
Our Price: $19.99
Save: $5.00 (20%)
5.0 of 5.0 stars