1 Kings 9 12

1 Kings 9:12 kjv

And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him; and they pleased him not.

1 Kings 9:12 nkjv

Then Hiram went from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him, but they did not please him.

1 Kings 9:12 niv

But when Hiram went from Tyre to see the towns that Solomon had given him, he was not pleased with them.

1 Kings 9:12 esv

But when Hiram came from Tyre to see the cities that Solomon had given him, they did not please him.

1 Kings 9:12 nlt

But when Hiram came from Tyre to see the towns Solomon had given him, he was not at all pleased with them.

1 Kings 9 verses

1 Kings 9 12 Meaning

1 Kings 9:12 records Hiram, the King of Tyre's, dissatisfaction with the twenty cities Solomon had given him in the region of Galilee as partial payment or gift for his services and resources. Hiram's rhetorical question, "What cities are these that you have given me, my brother?" reveals his disappointment, as he considered the land of little value. Consequently, he named this territory "Cabul," a name understood to mean "displeasing" or "worthless," indicating its perceived quality in his eyes, a designation that persisted "to this day" when the account was written.

1 Kings 9 12 Context

This verse is situated immediately after 1 Kings 9:10-11, which explicitly states that after twenty years—seven years building the Temple of the Lord and thirteen years building his own palace—King Solomon had given Hiram, King of Tyre, twenty cities in the land of Galilee. This transaction was part of the ongoing alliance and reciprocal arrangement between Solomon and Hiram. Hiram had provided invaluable resources like cedar and cypress timber, gold, and skilled labor for Solomon's massive building projects. 1 Kings 9:10-14 describes a phase of this partnership where Solomon repaid Hiram for these goods and services. Hiram's subsequent visit and expressed dissatisfaction form the core of verse 12. This event underscores that even significant alliances between powerful kings were subject to human judgment and perceived value, leading to named legacy of disappointment for this territory.

1 Kings 9 12 Word analysis

• and said: Connects the preceding action (Solomon giving cities) to Hiram's response. It introduces direct speech.
• "What cities are these": A rhetorical question, not seeking information but expressing dismay, disapproval, and profound disappointment with the quality or value of the cities given. It indicates an immediate, negative appraisal.
• "that you have given me,": Acknowledges receipt of the "gift" or payment, but the tone of the preceding phrase renders it an expression of dissatisfaction rather than gratitude.
• "my brother?": ('achî - Hebrew: אָחִי). This term signifies a close ally or covenant partner, reflecting the long-standing friendly diplomatic relations and reciprocal agreements between Hiram and David, and then Solomon. While expressing disappointment, it maintains the relational aspect of their pact.
• And he called them: Indicates Hiram's immediate and decisive action of naming, signifying ownership or profound impression made by the land's quality. This act establishes a permanent label.
• "the land of Cabul": ('erets Kāḇûl - Hebrew: אֶרֶץ כָּבוּל).
  • 'erets: Standard Hebrew for "land" or "earth."
  • Kāḇûl: The key word. It is believed to be derived from the Hebrew root kbl (כבל) meaning "to bind," which by extension can imply "as nothing" or "good for nothing," "displeasing," or "worthless." Scholars debate its precise etymology but agree on its pejorative connotation. The cities were likely unfertile, mountainous, or poorly developed, falling short of Hiram's expectations for productive land. These were twenty cities in the Galilee, likely within the Asher or Naphtali tribal allocations.
• "to this day.": ('ad hayyôm hazzeh - Hebrew: עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה). This is a common Deuteronomistic phrase used by the biblical narrator. It signifies that the name or situation being described persisted from the time of the event until the time of the writing, serving as an enduring historical witness or legacy.

Words-group analysis:

• "What cities are these that you have given me, my brother?": This complete utterance encapsulates Hiram's sense of being short-changed or deceived by Solomon. Despite their close alliance, there's a clear indication of a perceived unfair trade, challenging the "brotherly" foundation of their agreement in this specific instance. It underscores the practical, economic side of kingship even amidst sacred projects.
• "And he called them the land of Cabul to this day": This phrase documents the direct and lasting consequence of Hiram's disappointment. The act of naming not only expresses his low opinion but also establishes a permanent historical marker. It is a subtle commentary on the shrewdness or lack thereof in Solomon's dealings, leaving an unflattering epithet associated with the gifted territory. The "to this day" implies divine oversight on the legacy of such human dealings.

1 Kings 9 12 Bonus section

• The 20 cities Solomon gave Hiram were not originally Tyrian territory. They were part of Israel's tribal inheritance in Galilee (specifically areas belonging to the tribes of Asher or Naphtali, as indicated by archaeological finds and biblical geography). Giving away inherited land could have been contentious within Israelite law and tradition (cf. Lev 25:23). It hints at a possible motivation for Solomon to give away less valuable, peripheral land rather than core Israelite territory.
• Hiram’s reaction contrasts with his general beneficence in providing timber and gold earlier. This moment reveals the vulnerability of even the greatest human alliances to practical grievances. Despite this issue, their trade relationship (e.g., in shipping, 1 Ki 9:26-27) continued, suggesting the broader alliance was robust enough to absorb this minor disappointment.
• The "land of Cabul" may also refer to a specific place or region within Galilee. Josephus, in "Antiquities of the Jews" Book 8, mentions that the name Cabul in the Phoenician language signified "displeasing." This corroborates the traditional understanding of the Hebrew root.

1 Kings 9 12 Commentary

1 Kings 9:12 offers a pragmatic insight into the realities of inter-kingdom relations, even when engaged in grand, divinely inspired projects like the Temple. Hiram's blunt rhetorical question highlights his severe disappointment with the twenty Galilean cities provided by Solomon. Far from being prime territory, they were clearly considered inadequate compensation for the immense value of resources and skilled labor Tyre had provided. The act of naming the area "Cabul," meaning "worthless" or "displeasing," was not merely descriptive but a public, enduring declaration of his unfavorable assessment. This incident humanizes the biblical narrative of Solomon's golden age, revealing that even a king as wise and wealthy as Solomon could engage in transactions that disappointed a partner, and that not all dealings were perfectly executed or received. It reminds us that human expectations and perceptions of value, even in divine service, can lead to real disappointment and leave lasting, often ignominious, marks.