1 Kings 9 13

1 Kings 9:13 kjv

And he said, What cities are these which thou hast given me, my brother? And he called them the land of Cabul unto this day.

1 Kings 9:13 nkjv

So he said, "What kind of cities are these which you have given me, my brother?" And he called them the land of Cabul, as they are to this day.

1 Kings 9:13 niv

"What kind of towns are these you have given me, my brother?" he asked. And he called them the Land of Kabul, a name they have to this day.

1 Kings 9:13 esv

Therefore he said, "What kind of cities are these that you have given me, my brother?" So they are called the land of Cabul to this day.

1 Kings 9:13 nlt

"What kind of towns are these, my brother?" he asked. So Hiram called that area Cabul (which means "worthless"), as it is still known today.

1 Kings 9 verses

1 Kings 9 13 Meaning

1 Kings 9:13 reveals King Hiram of Tyre's profound disappointment and disdain for the twenty cities Solomon gifted him as compensation for his extensive aid in building the Temple and royal palace. Hiram's rhetorical question, "What cities are these...?", clearly expresses dissatisfaction. His subsequent naming of the region "Cabul," which means "worthless," "displeasing," or "good for nothing," underscores that these cities were of poor quality or lacked the value Hiram expected, diminishing the perceived wisdom and generosity of Solomon in this transaction.

1 Kings 9 13 Context

1 Kings chapter 9 marks the culmination of King Solomon's ambitious two-decade-long building projects, specifically the Temple of the Lord and his own grand palace (v. 10). Following this, God appears to Solomon a second time, reiterating promises of prosperity and peace contingent on his faithfulness, and warning of severe consequences for disobedience (vv. 1-9). Verses 10-14 detail the commercial aspects of Solomon's reign, particularly his ongoing alliance and transactions with King Hiram of Tyre. Hiram had been instrumental, providing vast quantities of timber (cedar and pine) and gold, along with skilled craftsmen, essential for these monumental constructions (1 Ki 5).

The historical and cultural context involves the strategic alliance between Israel, an emerging regional power with abundant labor and agricultural resources, and Tyre, a dominant maritime and trading power with specialized craftsmanship and access to global resources. Payment for such extensive aid would typically be in gold, resources, or even territory. Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in Galilee. Hiram's reaction in verse 13 indicates that the cities were not economically productive, perhaps infertile, inconveniently located, or otherwise undesirable, prompting his disdainful renaming of the area to "Cabul," a permanent reminder of the unsatisfactory transaction. This incident provides insight into the practical side of Solomon's administration and his international relations.

1 Kings 9 13 Word analysis

• And he said: Refers to Hiram, king of Tyre. This direct quote conveys his immediate and palpable reaction, establishing a tone of dissatisfaction and surprise.
• What cities are these: Hebrew: מַה הֶעָרִים הָאֵלֶּה (Mah he-arim ha-elleh). This is a rhetorical expression of utter disappointment, bewilderment, or even contempt. It communicates, "These are the cities you've given me?" indicating their poor quality relative to his expectations or contributions. It questions the very nature and value of the "gift."
• which thou hast given me: Hebrew: אֲשֶׁר נָתַתָּה לִּי (asher natattah l-li). Hiram directly addresses Solomon, underscoring that these cities were presented as his portion or payment, contrasting sharply with the immense wealth and skill Hiram had invested. This phrase highlights the perceived unfairness of the exchange.
• my brother: Hebrew: אָחִי (achiy). This term of close affinity and alliance, often used in ancient Near Eastern diplomatic correspondence, carries an ironic tone here. It suggests a subtle betrayal of fraternal trust, implying, "You, my friend and ally, treat me this way?"
• and he called them: Indicates Hiram's active decision to name the region, thereby immortalizing his negative assessment. In biblical contexts, naming often reflects a place's nature, an event associated with it, or a prophetic declaration. Here, it is an enduring judgment.
• the land of Cabul: Hebrew: אֶרֶץ כָּבוּל (eretz Kavul).
  • 'Eretz' (אֶרֶץ) signifies "land" or "territory."
  • 'Kavul' (כָּבוּל) is key. Most scholars associate it with a Hebrew root (like כבל, meaning "to bind" or "fetter") suggesting "bound," "as nothing," "displeasing," "good for nothing," or even "dirty." Josephus interpreted it as "displeasing." This naming acts as a stark public rebuke from Hiram, branding the region with its perceived worthlessness.
• unto this day: A conventional historiographical phrase in the Old Testament, indicating the enduring impact, recognition, or name of a place or event up to the time the biblical account was compiled. It validates the historical fact of Hiram's naming and the lasting negative impression of the cities.

Word-Group Analysis:

• "What cities are these... my brother?": This immediate exclamation captures Hiram's incredulous and dissatisfied response. It succinctly communicates a breakdown in expected equitable dealings between long-standing allies, subtly questioning Solomon's wisdom or fairness.
• "he called them the land of Cabul unto this day": This phrase immortalizes Hiram's verdict. It emphasizes that his derogatory assessment was not merely a fleeting emotion but resulted in a lasting label, recorded for history. It implicitly highlights Solomon's oversight in this diplomatic exchange and its permanent geographical marker.

1 Kings 9 13 Bonus section

• According to 2 Chronicles 8:1-2, these very "cities that Hiram had given to Solomon" (implying Hiram either returned them or they were rejected as payment) were later fortified and resettled by Solomon. This suggests that the arrangement was eventually rectified, or Solomon simply rebuilt and used the returned, previously undesirable, territories for his own strategic benefit, populating them with Israelites.
• The incident concerning the cities of Cabul offers a glimpse into ancient Near Eastern diplomatic protocols and expectations surrounding reciprocal agreements between monarchs. A grand king like Solomon was expected to be generously equitable in his dealings, especially with a loyal ally like Hiram.
• Some scholars propose "Cabul" could also relate to the local term or dialect meaning something similar, or simply derived from the name of the place, then given a negative connotation. The meaning "as good as nothing" remains the strongest consensus.
• This passage serves as a subtle foreshadowing that even Solomon, despite his unparalleled wisdom and riches, was not flawless in his judgment and dealings. It adds a nuanced layer to his reign, reminding us that even the wisest can fall short in matters of equity and valuing others' contributions correctly.

1 Kings 9 13 Commentary

1 Kings 9:13 is a telling moment, unveiling a subtle flaw within the grand narrative of Solomon's prosperous reign. After two decades of receiving immense resources—expert Phoenician craftsmen, vast quantities of cedar, and significant gold—from King Hiram for his lavish building projects, Solomon reciprocated with twenty cities in the region of Galilee. Hiram's immediate and unequivocal disdain is captured by his rhetorical question, "What cities are these...?", revealing his profound disappointment. His subsequent act of naming the region "Cabul," meaning "worthless" or "displeasing," publicly branded these cities as unsuitable or undesirable compensation. This detail suggests that the cities were perhaps infertile, lacked strategic value, or were simply impoverished lands in Hiram's experienced judgment as a trading monarch. It serves as a commentary on the practical limits of Solomon's wisdom, as even with his unparalleled discernment, he failed to satisfy a crucial ally in a diplomatic and commercial exchange. The enduring phrase "unto this day" underscores that this poor transaction was a lasting historical anecdote, indicating a possible misstep in Solomon's otherwise illustrious economic and political ventures.