2 Chronicles 8 2

2 Chronicles 8:2 kjv

That the cities which Huram had restored to Solomon, Solomon built them, and caused the children of Israel to dwell there.

2 Chronicles 8:2 nkjv

that the cities which Hiram had given to Solomon, Solomon built them; and he settled the children of Israel there.

2 Chronicles 8:2 niv

Solomon rebuilt the villages that Hiram had given him, and settled Israelites in them.

2 Chronicles 8:2 esv

Solomon rebuilt the cities that Hiram had given to him, and settled the people of Israel in them.

2 Chronicles 8:2 nlt

Solomon turned his attention to rebuilding the towns that King Hiram had given him, and he settled Israelites in them.

2 Chronicles 8 verses

2 Chronicles 8 2 Meaning

2 Chronicles 8:2 records King Solomon's actions concerning certain cities. These were cities that Huram, King of Tyre, had returned to Solomon because they did not please him. Upon receiving them back, Solomon undertook to rebuild and fortify these cities. Furthermore, he settled the children of Israel, the covenant people, within these refurbished cities, thereby repopulating and securing them within Israel's territory.

2 Chronicles 8 2 Context

Chapter 8 of 2 Chronicles describes the extensive building projects undertaken by King Solomon following the completion of the temple and his royal palace (v. 1). These projects spanned a period of twenty years. The chapter details Solomon's fortified cities, store cities, chariot cities, and cavalry cities, along with his forced labor (not from Israelites). Verse 2 specifically addresses a unique situation regarding cities acquired through a prior transaction. As detailed in 1 Kings 9:10-14, Solomon had previously given Huram, King of Tyre, twenty cities in the land of Galilee as compensation for Huram's assistance in providing timber and gold for the temple and palace construction. However, Huram found these cities undesirable, perhaps due to their location, condition, or cultural mismatch, and referred to them by a disparaging term, "Cabul" (meaning "good for nothing"). Thus, the context of 2 Chronicles 8:2 is Solomon receiving back these undesired cities and, in an act of consolidating his kingdom and caring for his people, renovating and repopulating them with Israelites. This highlights Solomon's administrative prowess and commitment to his people and the land.

2 Chronicles 8 2 Word analysis

• The cities:
  • Refers to specific, tangible land assets, likely located in the Galilee region, as mentioned in 1 Kgs 9:11. These were vital for the kingdom's expansion, defense, and economic strength.
  • Original Hebrew: עָרִים ('arim), plural for "cities" or "towns."
• which Huram:
  • Refers to Hiram I, King of Tyre, a major Phoenician city-state, known for its maritime prowess, trade, and skilled artisans. He was a close ally of both David and Solomon.
  • Original Hebrew: חוּרָם (Churam).
• had restored:
  • Crucial word choice. It's not that Huram gave them to Solomon initially as a gift or a new transaction, but returned what he already possessed from Solomon. This emphasizes Huram's dissatisfaction with the exchange and Solomon's reclaiming what was his, albeit through a negotiation.
  • Original Hebrew: הֵשִׁיב (heishiv), a Hiphil form of שׁוּב (shuv), meaning "to return," "to bring back," "to give back."
• to Solomon:
  • Highlights the personal authority and ownership of the king. The cities were under his ultimate jurisdiction.
  • Original Hebrew: לִשְׁלֹמֹה (lishlomoh), "to Solomon."
• Solomon built them:
  • Indicates Solomon's proactive leadership and administrative efficiency. He didn't just reclaim, but he invested in their improvement, fortification, and functionality. This signifies urban development and strengthening the kingdom's infrastructure. "Built" implies renovation, fortification, or completely rebuilding if they were in disrepair.
  • Original Hebrew: בְּנָאָם (b'na'am), from בָּנָה (banah), "to build."
• and he settled:
  • An act of careful management and care for the population. It was a deliberate, active measure to establish residence for his people. This was not a passive occupation.
  • Original Hebrew: וַיּוֹשֶׁב (vayyoshev), a Hiphil form of יָשַׁב (yashav), "to dwell," "to settle," "to cause to dwell."
• the children of Israel:
  • Emphasizes the chosen covenant people. Repopulating these cities with Israelites ensured they remained ethnically and culturally distinct within the kingdom's borders. It could also have strategic implications for defense and administration, ensuring loyalty and consolidating the kingdom's reach.
  • Original Hebrew: בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (b'ney Yisra'el), literally "sons of Israel."
• there:
  • Locative, pointing specifically to the previously mentioned cities. It underlines the physical reality of the settlement and Solomon's successful re-establishment of these territories as integral parts of Israel.
  • Original Hebrew: שָׁם (sham).

Words-group analysis:

• "The cities which Huram had restored to Solomon": This phrase details the initial condition and transfer. It paints a picture of Huram's rejection of these cities, not due to malice, but due to their perceived unsuitability, thereby giving Solomon the opportunity to reclaim and utilize land that was originally within Israel's boundaries. It indirectly shows a flaw in the original exchange deal.
• "Solomon built them; and he settled the children of Israel there": This outlines Solomon's twofold action of renovation and repopulation. It demonstrates his strategic thinking—transforming undesirable territories into productive parts of his kingdom and ensuring their occupation by the covenant people, strengthening Israel's hold on the land given by God. It highlights his effective governance and concern for his people's well-being and the kingdom's security.

2 Chronicles 8 2 Bonus section

• The cities Huram "restored" are likely the "twenty cities in the land of Galilee" mentioned in 1 Kings 9:11, which Huram later visited and found displeasing, naming the area "Cabul." The name "Cabul" in Hebrew sounds similar to "Kevul," possibly meaning "something pledged," or "bond land," but Huram's reaction suggests it may have conveyed "worthless" or "unproductive."
• The Chronicler often emphasizes the positive aspects of Solomon's reign and his commitment to the unified kingdom of Israel, highlighting God's faithfulness in upholding His covenant through Solomon's actions. This verse reinforces that narrative, portraying Solomon as a wise ruler who strategically strengthens Israel's land and people.
• Repopulating the cities with "the children of Israel" served practical purposes such as defense, maintaining cultural and religious identity within border areas, and fully occupying the God-given inheritance. It reflects a fulfillment of the command to possess the land.
• While 1 Kings mentions these cities, the account in 2 Chronicles uniquely places emphasis on Solomon's proactive steps to rebuild and resettle them, indicating the Chronicler's particular interest in Solomon's success and the consolidation of the Israelite domain.

2 Chronicles 8 2 Commentary

2 Chronicles 8:2 provides a concise yet significant insight into Solomon's reign, particularly his administrative capabilities and his commitment to the Israelite kingdom. Following a seemingly imperfect deal where King Huram of Tyre was dissatisfied with the twenty Galilean cities he received from Solomon, these cities were "restored" or returned. This event, detailed more explicitly in 1 Kings 9, reveals that not all alliances are perfectly smooth, even between powerful and allied kings.

Upon regaining possession of these cities, Solomon demonstrated astute leadership. He didn't abandon them but meticulously "built them." This phrase implies not just new construction but also renovation, fortification, and strategic development, turning what Huram considered "good for nothing" (Cabul, 1 Kgs 9:13) into valuable assets. This re-development was not merely for aesthetic or economic reasons; Solomon purposefully "settled the children of Israel there." This act underscored several key aspects: his dedication to the physical and demographic consolidation of the promised land for the covenant people, ensuring that these areas remained under Israelite control, and likely reinforcing border regions. It showcases Solomon's administrative wisdom, converting a diplomatic setback into an opportunity to strengthen his own kingdom and care for his people, reflecting God's continued blessing and establishment of His chosen nation.