1 kings 9:11 - (now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and cypress trees, and with gold, according to all his desire), King Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "1 kings 9:11" mean?
This verse from 1 Kings 9:11 is part of a broader passage detailing the complex relationship between King Solomon of Israel and King Hiram of Tyre. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"(Now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and cypress trees, and with gold, according to all his desire)": This part describes the trade agreement and partnership between the two kings. Hiram provided Solomon with valuable resources – specifically cedar and cypress wood (prized for building the Temple and the royal palace) and gold. The phrase "according to all his desire" suggests that Solomon was getting everything he needed in abundance, without restriction. This implies a very favorable deal for Solomon.
"(King Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee)": This is the key point. In return for Hiram's extensive supplies, Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the region of Galilee. Galilee was part of the territory of Israel. This was essentially a payment in land.
What it means in context:
Debt Settlement: The cities were most likely given to Hiram as payment for the extensive materials and labor he provided for Solomon's building projects, particularly the Temple and the royal palace.
Value Discrepancy: There's an implication, based on subsequent verses (see below), that Hiram was not happy with the deal. This suggests that the land given to him was not as valuable as the goods and services he had provided. Perhaps the cities were not strategically located, agriculturally poor, or had a rebellious population.
Political Implications: Giving away part of Israel's territory was a significant political act. It may have been a necessity to maintain the alliance with Tyre, which was a powerful maritime nation, and ensure the continued supply of valuable resources. It is important to note that the Israelites viewed land as a sacred inheritance given to them by God.
Following Verses (1 Kings 9:12-13) provide further context:
"And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him; and they pleased him not." (1 Kings 9:12) - This directly confirms Hiram's dissatisfaction.
"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) - Hiram's disappointment is clear. "Cabul" may mean "good for nothing" or "displeasing," further emphasizing his low opinion of the cities. Some scholars suggest it's a Phoenician word with a negative connotation.
In summary, the verse signifies a complex transaction between two powerful kings. While Solomon received valuable resources from Hiram, the payment in land (Galilee cities) appears to have been inadequate in Hiram's eyes, suggesting a potential imbalance in the agreement.
1 kings 9:11 - (now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and cypress trees, and with gold, according to all his desire), King Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.
What does "1 kings 9:11" mean?
This verse from 1 Kings 9:11 is part of a broader passage detailing the complex relationship between King Solomon of Israel and King Hiram of Tyre. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"(Now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and cypress trees, and with gold, according to all his desire)": This part describes the trade agreement and partnership between the two kings. Hiram provided Solomon with valuable resources – specifically cedar and cypress wood (prized for building the Temple and the royal palace) and gold. The phrase "according to all his desire" suggests that Solomon was getting everything he needed in abundance, without restriction. This implies a very favorable deal for Solomon.
"(King Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee)": This is the key point. In return for Hiram's extensive supplies, Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the region of Galilee. Galilee was part of the territory of Israel. This was essentially a payment in land.
What it means in context:
Debt Settlement: The cities were most likely given to Hiram as payment for the extensive materials and labor he provided for Solomon's building projects, particularly the Temple and the royal palace.
Value Discrepancy: There's an implication, based on subsequent verses (see below), that Hiram was not happy with the deal. This suggests that the land given to him was not as valuable as the goods and services he had provided. Perhaps the cities were not strategically located, agriculturally poor, or had a rebellious population.
Political Implications: Giving away part of Israel's territory was a significant political act. It may have been a necessity to maintain the alliance with Tyre, which was a powerful maritime nation, and ensure the continued supply of valuable resources. It is important to note that the Israelites viewed land as a sacred inheritance given to them by God.
Following Verses (1 Kings 9:12-13) provide further context:
"And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him; and they pleased him not." (1 Kings 9:12) - This directly confirms Hiram's dissatisfaction.
"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) - Hiram's disappointment is clear. "Cabul" may mean "good for nothing" or "displeasing," further emphasizing his low opinion of the cities. Some scholars suggest it's a Phoenician word with a negative connotation.
In summary, the verse signifies a complex transaction between two powerful kings. While Solomon received valuable resources from Hiram, the payment in land (Galilee cities) appears to have been inadequate in Hiram's eyes, suggesting a potential imbalance in the agreement.