1 Kings 9:11

KJV

([Now] Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees, and with gold, according to all his desire,) that then king Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.

KJV (with Strong's)

( Now Hiram {H2438} the king {H4428} of Tyre {H6865} had furnished {H5375} Solomon {H8010} with cedar {H730} trees {H6086} and fir {H1265} trees {H6086}, and with gold {H2091}, according to all his desire {H2656},) that then {H227} king {H4428} Solomon {H8010} gave {H5414} Hiram {H2438} twenty {H6242} cities {H5892} in the land {H776} of Galilee {H1551}.

Complete Jewish Bible

King Shlomo gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of the Galil (recall that Hiram the king of Tzor had supplied Shlomo with cedar and cypress logs and with all the gold Shlomo wanted).

Berean Standard Bible

King Solomon gave twenty towns in the land of Galilee to Hiram king of Tyre, who had supplied him with cedar and cypress logs and gold for his every desire.

American Standard Version

(now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar-trees and fir-trees, and with gold, according to all his desire), that then king Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
First Kings 9:11 details a significant transaction between King Solomon of Israel and King Hiram of Tyre, wherein Solomon cedes twenty cities in Galilee to Hiram. This exchange serves as recompense for Hiram's extensive and long-standing provision of cedar and fir timber, along with gold, which were essential for the construction of the Jerusalem Temple and Solomon's royal palace over a twenty-year period. The verse highlights the culmination of a massive building endeavor and the economic implications of such grand projects, setting the stage for subsequent narrative developments regarding the nature of this payment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse immediately follows the completion of Solomon's grand building projects, specifically the Temple (completed in seven years, [1 Kings 6:38](/1_kings/6-38 "1 Kings 6:38 - Temple Completion")) and his own palace (completed in thirteen years, [1 Kings 7:1](/1_kings/7-1 "1 Kings 7:1 - Palace Completion")), totaling twenty years of construction ([1 Kings 9:10](/1_kings/9-10 "1 Kings 9:10 - Twenty Years of Building")). The narrative in [1 Kings 5](/1_kings/5 "1 Kings 5 - Solomon's Alliance with Hiram") established the initial covenant between Solomon and Hiram, where Hiram agreed to supply timber and skilled labor in exchange for food provisions. [1 Kings 9:11](/1_kings/9-11 "1 Kings 9:11 - Solomon's Payment to Hiram") marks the point where Solomon's obligation for the materials supplied is fulfilled, transitioning the narrative from construction to the subsequent diplomatic and economic consequences, particularly Hiram's reaction in [1 Kings 9:12-13](/1_kings/9-12 "1 Kings 9:12-13 - Hiram's Displeasure").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The relationship between Israel and the Phoenician city-state of Tyre was crucial during Solomon's reign. Tyre, a maritime power, possessed vast timber resources from Lebanon and skilled craftsmen, while Israel, an agrarian society, had abundant food supplies. This reciprocal arrangement, typical of ancient Near Eastern treaties, facilitated Solomon's ambitious architectural plans, which required materials and expertise beyond Israel's immediate capacity. The payment of cities, rather than just gold or goods, underscores the immense debt incurred and the strategic value of land in the ancient world. Galilee, a fertile region in northern Israel bordering Phoenicia, would have been geographically significant for Hiram, potentially offering access to new trade routes or agricultural resources, though its value to him would prove contentious.
* **Key Themes:** The verse encapsulates several key themes prevalent in the book of [1 Kings](/1_kings/1 "The Book of 1 Kings"): **International Alliance and Trade** is evident in the long-standing and mutually beneficial relationship between Solomon and Hiram, showcasing Solomon's diplomatic prowess and Israel's economic integration into the broader regional network. The theme of **The Cost of Grandeur** is starkly highlighted; Solomon's magnificent building projects, symbols of his wisdom and wealth, came at a substantial price, not only in labor and materials but also in territorial assets. This transaction also speaks to the **Fulfillment of Agreements**, as Solomon honors his obligation to Hiram, though the subsequent verses reveal that the fulfillment did not perfectly meet Hiram's expectations, introducing the theme of **Disappointment and Imperfect Human Dealings** even among powerful allies. Finally, the mention of "the land of Galilee" subtly introduces a **Geographic Significance** that foreshadows its later prominence as a central region for prophetic activity and, ultimately, the primary locus of Jesus' earthly ministry, as seen in the Gospels (e.g., [Matthew 4:15](/matthew/4-15 "Matthew 4:15 - Galilee of the Gentiles")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Furnished (Hebrew, _sāpak_):** This verb implies a generous and abundant supply, often with the nuance of pouring out or providing in full measure. It emphasizes the sheer volume and continuous nature of the materials Hiram provided, highlighting his faithfulness to the covenant and the immense scale of Solomon's building needs.
* **Desire (Hebrew, _ḥēp̄eṣ_):** More than a mere wish, _ḥēp̄eṣ_ denotes a deep longing, purpose, or even delight. When applied to Solomon's "desire" for materials, it conveys the comprehensive nature of Hiram's provision—he supplied everything Solomon could possibly want or need for his projects, without reservation or limitation. This underscores the extraordinary extent of the resources involved and the depth of the alliance.
* **Cities (Hebrew, _ʿārîm_):** The term refers to fortified settlements, implying not just land but established communities with infrastructure and populations. The transfer of twenty such cities signifies a substantial territorial and demographic concession, underscoring the magnitude of Solomon's debt and the significant value Hiram placed on such assets, even if he later found these specific cities unsatisfactory.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"([Now] Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees, and with gold, according to all his desire,)":** This parenthetical clause serves as a recapitulation and justification for Solomon's subsequent action. It emphasizes Hiram's unwavering commitment and the vast scale of his provision over the twenty-year building period. The phrase "according to all his desire" highlights the complete and comprehensive nature of Hiram's supply, fulfilling Solomon's every need for the Temple and palace construction.
* **"that then king Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.":** This is the main clause, detailing Solomon's reciprocal action. The payment of twenty cities, rather than a monetary sum, reveals the immense economic value of the materials provided by Hiram. The specific location, "the land of Galilee," sets the geographical context for this significant territorial transfer, which would later prove to be a point of contention between the two kings.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several literary devices. The **parenthetical structure** at the beginning ("Now Hiram... desire,)") serves as a concise summary and justification, providing the necessary background before presenting the main action. The phrase "according to all his desire" can be seen as **hyperbole**, emphasizing the extraordinary extent of Hiram's provision and Solomon's unlimited access to resources, though it also reflects the genuine depth of their alliance. The mention of "twenty cities in the land of Galilee" acts as **foreshadowing**, subtly hinting at the subsequent narrative of Hiram's dissatisfaction with these cities in [1 Kings 9:12-13](/1_kings/9-12 "1 Kings 9:12-13 - Hiram's Reaction to the Cities"), thereby introducing a note of human imperfection and the complexities of even divinely blessed endeavors. Furthermore, the exchange itself, a material payment for material provision, demonstrates a form of **reciprocity**, a common theme in ancient Near Eastern treaties and a reflection of the covenantal relationship established between the two kings.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while seemingly a simple record of a transaction, carries significant theological weight. It underscores the immense resources and human ingenuity dedicated to the building of God's Temple, a project sanctioned and blessed by Yahweh, yet one that still required vast earthly wealth and international cooperation. It highlights the complexities of reigning as a king under God, where even wisdom and divine favor do not negate the practicalities and costs of governance, including diplomatic relations and financial obligations. The subsequent dissatisfaction of Hiram with the payment also subtly introduces the theme that human efforts, even when well-intentioned and divinely guided, can fall short of perfect satisfaction or complete harmony, reminding us that true and lasting fulfillment ultimately lies beyond earthly transactions and human agreements.

* [Deuteronomy 7:1-3](/deuteronomy/7-1 "Deuteronomy 7:1-3 - Warning Against Foreign Alliances"): While Solomon's alliance with Hiram was for practical purposes and initially blessed, it stands in tension with broader Deuteronomic warnings against entangling alliances with foreign nations, particularly those that could lead to idolatry or compromise.
* [Proverbs 11:24](/proverbs/11-24 "Proverbs 11:24 - Generosity and Prosperity"): The verse can be seen through the lens of generosity and the cost of giving. Hiram's provision was generous, and Solomon's payment, though later deemed insufficient by Hiram, was a substantial return, illustrating the principle that giving often entails significant cost.
* [Matthew 16:26](/matthew/16-26 "Matthew 16:26 - The Value of the Soul"): The immense material and territorial cost of Solomon's projects, and the subsequent human dissatisfaction, contrasts sharply with the immeasurable value of spiritual realities. It prompts reflection on what truly constitutes "wealth" and "cost" in God's economy.

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The transaction in [1 Kings 9:11](/1_kings/9-11 "1 Kings 9:11 - Solomon's Payment") offers profound insights for contemporary life. It reminds us that even the grandest and most spiritually significant endeavors, like building the Temple, involve practicalities, costs, and complex human negotiations. It challenges us to consider the true price of our ambitions and achievements, whether personal, professional, or communal. Are we willing to pay the full cost, not just in tangible resources but also in time, effort, and relational capital? The subsequent narrative of Hiram's dissatisfaction serves as a powerful reminder that not all agreements, even those between trusted allies, perfectly meet every expectation. This calls us to cultivate integrity, clear communication, and a spirit of grace in our dealings, recognizing that human relationships are rarely flawless. It also encourages us to evaluate what truly satisfies—earthly possessions and power, or something more enduring?

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What does this passage reveal about the true "cost" of our grandest ambitions or projects, even those undertaken for noble purposes?**
* **How does the dynamic between Solomon and Hiram inform our understanding of integrity and expectation management in our own relationships and agreements?**
* **In what ways might we be "paying" for things that ultimately do not bring lasting satisfaction, similar to Hiram's reaction?**
* **How can we balance the pursuit of significant achievements with the wisdom of stewardship and the recognition of human limitations?**

### FAQ
**Why did Solomon give cities instead of gold or other goods?**

Answer: Solomon's decision to give cities likely stemmed from the sheer magnitude of the debt incurred. Hiram had supplied an immense quantity of cedar and fir timber, along with gold, over a twenty-year period for two monumental building projects. While Solomon was incredibly wealthy, the value of these materials would have been astronomical. Giving territory, specifically twenty established cities, represented a substantial transfer of assets that was perhaps more feasible or equitable than a direct gold payment of such scale. Land, including its agricultural output and population (which could be taxed), was a primary form of wealth and strategic asset in the ancient world. It also may have been a pre-arranged part of their long-term agreement, though the specific terms are not fully detailed in [1 Kings 5](/1_kings/5 "1 Kings 5 - Solomon's Treaty with Hiram").

**What was Hiram's reaction to receiving these cities?**

Answer: Hiram's reaction, detailed in the very next verses, [1 Kings 9:12-13](/1_kings/9-12 "1 Kings 9:12-13 - Hiram's Displeasure"), was one of disappointment and dissatisfaction. When he came from Tyre to inspect the cities Solomon had given him, he was displeased, calling them "Cabul," which sounds like the Hebrew word for "good-for-nothing" or "worthless." This indicates that the cities were not of the quality or strategic value he had anticipated or desired. Despite this, the alliance between the two kings remained intact, though the incident highlights the complexities and potential for unmet expectations in even the most significant diplomatic relationships.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Solomon's grand building projects and the subsequent payment to Hiram, though seemingly a mundane historical account, subtly points to the greater work of Christ. Solomon's magnificent Temple, built with the finest materials and immense human effort, was a temporary dwelling place for God's presence, a shadow of the ultimate spiritual reality. The immense cost, even to the point of ceding territory, underscores the human effort and resources poured into this earthly kingdom. In stark contrast, Christ's work establishes an eternal, spiritual kingdom, not built with human hands or purchased with earthly cities, but through His own perfect sacrifice. The "cost" of our redemption was paid not by Solomon's wealth or land, but by the precious blood of the [Lamb of God](/john/1-29 "John 1:29 - Jesus, the Lamb of God"). Furthermore, while Solomon's payment to Hiram led to dissatisfaction, God's covenant with humanity through Christ is one of perfect fulfillment and boundless grace, where the "payment" of sin is fully satisfied, and we receive an inheritance that is "imperishable, undefiled, and unfading" ([1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Incorruptible Inheritance")). The mention of "Galilee" is also profoundly significant, as this region, deemed "worthless" by Hiram, became the primary stage for Jesus' ministry, where He began to proclaim the good news of the true, eternal kingdom ([Matthew 4:15-17](/matthew/4-15 "Matthew 4:15-17 - Jesus Begins His Ministry in Galilee")). Thus, the imperfect, costly, and ultimately unsatisfactory transactions of Solomon's earthly kingdom are transcended and perfected in the person and work of Jesus Christ, who truly furnishes us "according to all His desire" for our salvation and eternal glory.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.