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.

KJV (with Strong's)

And he said {H559}, What cities {H5892} are these which thou hast given {H5414} me, my brother {H251}? And he called {H7121} them the land {H776} of Cabul {H3521} unto this day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

He said, "What kind of cities are these which you have given me, my brother?" So they have been called the land of Kabul [good for nothing] till this day.

Berean Standard Bible

“What are these towns you have given me, my brother?” asked Hiram, and he called them the Land of Cabul, as they are called to this day.

American Standard Version

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.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 9:13 records King Hiram of Tyre's palpable disappointment upon inspecting the twenty cities King Solomon had given him as payment for his extensive and costly assistance in the construction of the Temple and Solomon's royal palace. Hiram's rhetorical question, "What cities are these which thou hast given me, my brother?" clearly conveys his dissatisfaction, leading him to derisively name the region "the land of Cabul," a name that persisted "unto this day," signifying its perceived worthlessness.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated immediately after the completion of Solomon's monumental building projects, which spanned twenty years (1 Kings 9:10). The preceding verses detail Solomon's payment to Hiram for the vast quantities of cedar, fir, and gold supplied from Tyre (1 Kings 9:11-12). The narrative flow highlights Solomon's immense wealth and power, but also begins to subtly introduce potential cracks in his reign, particularly in his dealings and alliances. This specific incident follows God's renewed covenant with Solomon, emphasizing obedience and faithfulness (1 Kings 9:1-9), making Solomon's subsequent misjudgment of Hiram's expectations a poignant detail in the unfolding story of his kingship. The mention of "unto this day" connects the ancient event to the time of the narrative's compilation, underscoring its lasting significance.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The alliance between King Solomon of Israel and King Hiram of Tyre was a cornerstone of Solomon's reign, facilitating the acquisition of crucial resources and skilled labor for his ambitious building programs (see [1 Kings 5](/1_kings/5 "1 Kings 5 - Solomon's Alliance with Hiram")). Tyre was a powerful maritime and mercantile kingdom, valuing trade routes, strategic ports, and precious commodities. Land, particularly agricultural land in the Galilean hill country, might not have held the same strategic or economic value for Hiram as it did for an agrarian kingdom like Israel. The exchange of land for services was a significant diplomatic act, and Hiram's reaction reveals a cultural clash in perceived value. The cities given were likely in the northern part of Galilee, a region that may have been less fertile or strategically important than other areas, contributing to Hiram's disappointment.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully illustrates the theme of **unfulfilled expectations** and the **subjectivity of value**. What Solomon considered a substantial payment, Hiram deemed "nothing." It highlights the importance of clear communication and understanding the needs and priorities of all parties in any transaction, whether personal or diplomatic. Furthermore, it touches upon the theme of **inter-kingdom relations**, showing that even strong alliances, like that between Solomon and Hiram, could be strained by perceived inequities or misjudgments. The incident also subtly foreshadows the decline of Solomon's reign, where his wisdom, though renowned, was not always perfectly applied, leading to various forms of dissatisfaction and eventual division (compare with [1 Kings 11](/1_kings/11 "1 Kings 11 - Solomon's Idolatry and Decline")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Cabul (כָּבוּל, _Kabul_):** This Hebrew word is widely understood as a pun, meaning "as nothing," "good for nothing," or "displeasing." It derives from a root that suggests "bound" or "fettered," perhaps implying something constrained or useless. Hiram's choice of this name for the region powerfully conveys his disdain and the perceived worthlessness of the cities in his eyes, especially when contrasted with the immense value of the resources he had supplied for Solomon's grand projects.
* **my brother (אָח, _'ach_):** This term, used by Hiram to address Solomon, emphasizes the close, treaty-bound relationship and personal friendship that existed between the two kings. The use of "my brother" in the context of a rhetorical question expressing profound dissatisfaction makes Hiram's disappointment particularly pointed and highlights the personal nature of the perceived slight, rather than just a formal diplomatic complaint.
* **unto this day (עַד הַיּוֹם הַזֶּה, _'ad hayyom hazzeh_):** This common biblical phrase signifies that the derogatory name "Cabul" for the region persisted long after the initial incident, serving as a lasting testament to Hiram's poor impression of the land. It underscores the enduring impact of the event and the memory of Hiram's judgment within the historical consciousness of the time the book was written.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And he said, What cities [are] these which thou hast given me, my brother?"**: This clause captures Hiram's immediate, direct, and rhetorical question upon inspecting the cities. The interrogative "What cities are these?" is not a request for information but an expression of profound dismay, surprise, and dissatisfaction. The inclusion of "my brother" underscores the personal nature of the disappointment within the context of their strong alliance, indicating a breach of expectation from a trusted friend and partner.
* **"And he called them the land of Cabul unto this day."**: This clause describes Hiram's decisive action of naming the region. In ancient cultures, naming was an act of power and definition. By calling the land "Cabul" (meaning "as nothing" or "displeasing"), Hiram publicly and permanently registered his negative judgment of the gift. The phrase "unto this day" signifies that this derogatory name stuck and was still in use at the time the biblical account was compiled, serving as a historical marker of Hiram's lasting dissatisfaction and the perceived poor quality of Solomon's payment.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent **literary devices** to convey Hiram's reaction. The most prominent is the **rhetorical question**, "What cities are these which thou hast given me, my brother?", which effectively communicates Hiram's dismay and incredulity without requiring a direct answer. This question serves to highlight the perceived disparity between the value of his contributions and the worth of Solomon's payment. Furthermore, the passage features a significant **pun** or **wordplay** in the naming of "Cabul," which sounds like a Hebrew phrase meaning "as nothing" or "good for nothing." This linguistic device powerfully encapsulates Hiram's disdain and provides a memorable, albeit derogatory, label for the region. Finally, the phrase "unto this day" functions as an **etiology**, explaining the origin of a place name and emphasizing the enduring historical legacy of this diplomatic misstep. The underlying **irony** is also present, as Solomon, renowned for his wisdom and wealth, is depicted as offering a gift that is deemed worthless by his closest ally.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The incident of Cabul serves as a profound theological lesson on the nature of earthly value and human expectations. While Solomon's intentions may have been to fulfill his obligation, his gift was perceived as insufficient and disappointing by Hiram. This highlights that true value is often subjective and can lead to relational strain when expectations are mismanaged or when one party's understanding of worth differs significantly from another's. It cautions against assuming that what we consider valuable will be equally esteemed by others, urging a deeper consideration of another's perspective and needs. Theologically, it reminds us that earthly riches and transactions, even those between powerful kings, are ultimately fleeting and prone to human imperfection and dissatisfaction, contrasting sharply with the perfect, immeasurable gifts of God.

* [Proverbs 11:24](/proverbs/11-24 "Proverbs 11:24 - Generosity and Prosperity")
* [Matthew 6:19-21](/matthew/6-19 "Matthew 6:19-21 - Laying Up Treasures in Heaven")
* [Luke 12:15](/luke/12-15 "Luke 12:15 - Beware of Covetousness")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The story of Cabul offers a timeless lesson for navigating relationships and transactions in our own lives. It underscores the critical importance of clear communication and managing expectations. What we perceive as valuable or a generous offering might be seen as "Cabul"—worthless or disappointing—by another, if we haven't truly understood their needs, priorities, or perspective. This applies not only to financial dealings but also to our time, efforts, and emotional investments in personal, professional, and even spiritual relationships. Are we giving what we *think* is valuable, or are we giving what is *truly* valued by the recipient? This narrative challenges us to move beyond our own assumptions and to genuinely seek to understand the other person's frame of reference, ensuring that our contributions are truly received as a blessing and not as a source of disappointment. It calls us to cultivate generosity that is discerning and empathetic, fostering genuine connection and avoiding the relational friction that can arise from misaligned expectations.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How do I define "value" in my relationships and transactions, and how might that differ from others' definitions?**
* **In what areas of my life might I be offering "Cabul" when I intend to give something truly valuable or meaningful?**
* **How can I better manage my own expectations and communicate clearly to avoid disappointment in my interactions with others?**
* **What does this story teach me about the transient nature of earthly wealth and the enduring importance of relational integrity?**

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

Answer: While Solomon was immensely wealthy (see [1 Kings 10:23](/1_kings/10-23 "1 Kings 10:23 - Solomon's Riches")), the text doesn't explicitly state his reasoning for offering land. Several factors may have contributed: he might have preferred to preserve his vast treasury of precious metals and goods; land, particularly in a less developed or strategically vital area of Galilee, might have been seen as a convenient and substantial asset to offer without depleting his more liquid wealth; or it could simply have been a miscalculation on Solomon's part regarding Hiram's priorities and the specific value he placed on such territory. For an agrarian society like Israel, land was the primary source of wealth and inheritance, making it a significant gift, even if its specific location or quality proved disappointing to a maritime king like Hiram.

**Did this incident damage the relationship between Solomon and Hiram?**

Answer: The text does not indicate a permanent rupture in their alliance. Despite Hiram's clear dissatisfaction, their cooperation continued on other projects, such as Solomon's fleet at Ezion-geber (see [1 Kings 9:26-28](/1_kings/9-26 "1 Kings 9:26-28 - Solomon's Fleet")). This suggests that while the "Cabul" incident introduced a strain and revealed a significant misjudgment on Solomon's part, it did not entirely sever their diplomatic and economic ties. It highlights that even strong international alliances, built on mutual benefit, could experience friction and require ongoing negotiation and understanding to endure.

**What was the significance of "Cabul" meaning "good for nothing"?**

Answer: The significance lies in its powerful linguistic jab. By naming the region "Cabul," which is understood as a pun meaning "as nothing" or "good for nothing," Hiram delivered a clear and lasting public indictment of the quality of Solomon's payment. This derogatory naming underscored the perceived disparity between the immense value of the resources Hiram had provided (cedar, gold, skilled labor) for two decades of monumental construction, and the seemingly worthless land he received in return. It served as a permanent, derisive memorial to his disappointment, reflecting a profound sense of being short-changed in a major international transaction.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The narrative of Solomon's "Cabul" transaction, marked by human imperfection and earthly disappointment, stands in stark contrast to the perfect and infinitely valuable exchange offered through Jesus Christ. Solomon, in his flawed wisdom, offered a gift deemed "worthless" by his closest ally, revealing the limitations of even the most powerful human kings and their earthly treasures. Yet, in Christ, we encounter a divine exchange where the seemingly "worthless" is transformed into the infinitely precious. The world often deemed Christ's life and sacrifice as "nothing"—a stumbling block to some and foolishness to others (as described in [1 Corinthians 1:23](/1_corinthians/1-23 "1 Corinthians 1:23 - Christ Crucified")). However, what the world rejected as "Cabul" is, in God's economy, the "pearl of great price" (as seen in [Matthew 13:45-46](/matthew/13-45 "Matthew 13:45-46 - The Parable of the Pearl of Great Price")), the very means of salvation and eternal life. Unlike Solomon's gift, which left Hiram disappointed, God's gift of His Son is perfect, complete, and eternally satisfying, never failing to meet our deepest needs. Through Christ, we receive not a "land of Cabul" but an inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for us (as promised in [1 Peter 1:4](/1_peter/1-4 "1 Peter 1:4 - An Incorruptible Inheritance")). The ultimate fulfillment is found in Jesus, who gave Himself, the most valuable gift imaginable, for us, transforming our "nothingness" into eternal worth in God's eyes.

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.

Cross-References

Joshua 19:27

And turneth toward the sunrising to Bethdagon, and reacheth to Zebulun, and to the valley of Jiphthahel toward the north side of Bethemek, and Neiel, and goeth out to Cabul on the left hand,

Amos 1:9

Thus saith the LORD; For three transgressions of Tyrus, and for four, I will not turn away [the punishment] thereof; because they delivered up the whole captivity to Edom, and remembered not the brotherly covenant:

1 Kings 5:1

¶ And Hiram king of Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him king in the room of his father: for Hiram was ever a lover of David.

1 Kings 5:2

And Solomon sent to Hiram, saying,