מלכים א, פרק ה׳, פסוק כ״ד

The political and economic agreement between Tyre and Jerusalem takes practical shape as their exchange of resources begins. Hiram fulfills his end of the partnership by supplying Solomon with cedar and cypress timber, delivering the exact and complete amount that was requested [ביאור שטיינזלץ].

However, this account offers only a partial glimpse into a much larger and more complex transaction, the full details of which are recorded in the Book of Chronicles [מלבי״ם]. Following their initial agreement, Solomon sent a second, broader request to Hiram. In addition to the timber, Solomon asked for a master craftsman skilled in working silver and gold, along with another specific type of wood known as algum. In this same communication, Solomon outlined the wages he would provide to the Sidonian woodcutters, promising them a massive supply of wheat, barley, wine, and oil.

Hiram responded with a formal written letter, accepting all of Solomon's terms. He confirmed the wages for his laborers, agreed to send the expert craftsman, and laid out the logistical plan for transporting the materials. According to this plan, the massive logs of timber would be floated across the sea to the port of Joppa, and from there, they would be brought overland up to Jerusalem [מלבי״ם].