2 Kings 6:5 - "But as one was felling a log, his axe head fell into the water; and he cried out, ‘Alas, my master! It was borrowed.’ "

Biblical loggers chopped trees to specified lengths, lashed the trunks together, and floated them down waterways when necessary and possible. Wood of various trees was widely used for the construction of royal palaces, carts, idols, boats, farm implements, and many other things. And, of course, much wood was used in the construction of the Temple.

Because forests in ancient Palestine were not extensive, it was necessary that woods be …