1 Kings 9:12

12 But when Hiram came from Tyre to see the cities that Solomon had given him, they did not please him.

1 Kings 9:12 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 9:12

And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon
had given him
For these cities, being in or near Galilee, were not far from Tyre:

and they pleased him not;
being either out of repair, as some think; see ( 2 Chronicles 8:2 ) or the ground barren, and unfruitful; which is not likely, being in a very fruitful country, as the tribes on which they bordered were: but they were not agreeable to him, they did not suit with the disposition of him and his people, who were given not to husbandry, but to merchandise; and the land about these would require a good deal of pains and labour to till, which they were not used to.

1 Kings 9:12 In-Context

10 At the end of twenty years, in which Solomon had built the two houses, the house of the LORD and the king's house,

11 and Hiram king of Tyre had supplied Solomon with cedar and cypress timber and gold, as much as he desired, King Solomon gave to Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.

12 But when Hiram came from Tyre to see the cities that Solomon had given him, they did not please him.

13 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.

14 Hiram had sent to the king 120 talents of gold.