1 Kings 9:12
New International Version
But when Hiram went from Tyre to see the towns that Solomon had given him, he was not pleased with them.

New Living Translation
But when Hiram came from Tyre to see the towns Solomon had given him, he was not at all pleased with them.

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

Berean Standard Bible
So Hiram went out from Tyre to inspect the towns that Solomon had given him, but he was not pleased with them.

King James Bible
And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him; and they pleased him not.

New King James Version
Then Hiram went from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him, but they did not please him.

New American Standard Bible
So Hiram left Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him, and they did not please him.

NASB 1995
So Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him, and they did not please him.

NASB 1977
So Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him, and they did not please him.

Legacy Standard Bible
So Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him, and they were not right in his eyes.

Amplified Bible
So Hiram came from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him, and they did not please him.

Christian Standard Bible
So Hiram went out from Tyre to look over the towns that Solomon had given him, but he was not pleased with them.

Holman Christian Standard Bible
So Hiram went out from Tyre to look over the towns that Solomon had given him, but he was not pleased with them.

American Standard Version
And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him; and they pleased him not.

Contemporary English Version
When Hiram went to see the towns, he did not like them.

English Revised Version
And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him; and they pleased him not.

GOD'S WORD® Translation
Hiram left Tyre to see the cities Solomon gave him. However, they didn't please him.

Good News Translation
Hiram went to see them, and he did not like them.

International Standard Version
Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities that Solomon had given him, but he wasn't happy with them,

Majority Standard Bible
So Hiram went out from Tyre to inspect the towns that Solomon had given him, but he was not pleased with them.

NET Bible
When Hiram went out from Tyre to inspect the cities Solomon had given him, he was not pleased with them.

New Heart English Bible
Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him; and they did not please him.

Webster's Bible Translation
And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him; and they pleased him not.

World English Bible
Hiram came out of Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him; and they didn’t please him.
Literal Translations
Literal Standard Version
And Hiram comes out from Tyre to see the cities that Solomon has given to him, and they have not been right in his eyes,

Young's Literal Translation
And Hiram cometh out from Tyre to see the cities that Solomon hath given to him, and they have not been right in his eyes,

Smith's Literal Translation
And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon gave to him, and they were not right in his eyes.
Catholic Translations
Douay-Rheims Bible
And Hiram came out of Tyre, to see the towns which Solomon had given him, and they pleased him not,

Catholic Public Domain Version
And Hiram went out of Tyre, so that he might view the towns that Solomon had given to him. And they did not please him.

New American Bible
Hiram left Tyre to see the cities Solomon had given him, but he was not satisfied with them.

New Revised Standard Version
But when Hiram came from Tyre to see the cities that Solomon had given him, they did not please him.
Translations from Aramaic
Lamsa Bible
And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him; and they did not please him.

Peshitta Holy Bible Translated
And Khiram went out from TsurTyre to see the towns that Solomon gave to him, and they were not pleasing in his eyes.
OT Translations
JPS Tanakh 1917
And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him: and they pleased him not.

Brenton Septuagint Translation
So Chiram departed from Tyre, and went into Galilee to see the cities which Solomon gave to him; and they pleased him not. And he said,

Additional Translations ...
Audio Bible



Context
Solomon's Numerous Achievements
11King 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. 12So Hiram went out from Tyre to inspect the towns that Solomon had given him, but he was not pleased with them. 13“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.…

Cross References
2 Chronicles 8:2
Solomon rebuilt the cities Hiram had given him and settled Israelites there.

1 Kings 10:10
Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones. Never again were spices in such abundance brought in as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

2 Chronicles 9:9
Then she gave the king 120 talents of gold, a great quantity of spices, and precious stones. There had never been such spices as those the queen of Sheba gave to King Solomon.

1 Kings 5:1-12
Now when Hiram king of Tyre heard that Solomon had been anointed king in his father’s place, he sent envoys to Solomon; for Hiram had always been a friend of David. / And Solomon relayed this message to Hiram: / “As you are well aware, due to the wars waged on all sides against my father David, he could not build a house for the Name of the LORD his God until the LORD had put his enemies under his feet. ...

2 Chronicles 2:3-16
Then Solomon sent word to Hiram king of Tyre: “Do for me as you did for my father David when you sent him cedars to build himself a house to live in. / Behold, I am about to build a house for the Name of the LORD my God to dedicate to Him for burning fragrant incense before Him, for displaying the showbread continuously, and for making burnt offerings every morning and evening as well as on the Sabbaths, New Moons, and appointed feasts of the LORD our God. This is ordained for Israel forever. / The house that I am building will be great, for our God is greater than all gods. ...

1 Kings 10:11-12
(The fleet of Hiram that brought gold from Ophir also brought from Ophir a great cargo of almug wood and precious stones. / The king made the almug wood into steps for the house of the LORD and for the king’s palace, and into lyres and harps for the singers. Never before had such almug wood been brought in, nor has such been seen again to this day.)

2 Chronicles 9:10-11
(The servants of Hiram and of Solomon who brought gold from Ophir also brought algum wood and precious stones. / The king made the algum wood into steps for the house of the LORD and for the king’s palace, and into lyres and harps for the singers. Never before had anything like them been seen in the land of Judah.)

1 Kings 5:6
Now therefore, order that cedars of Lebanon be cut down for me. My servants will be with your servants, and I will pay your servants whatever wages you set, for you know that there are none among us as skilled in logging as the Sidonians.”

2 Chronicles 2:8
Send me also cedar, cypress, and algum logs from Lebanon, for I know that your servants have skill to cut timber there. And indeed, my servants will work with yours

Matthew 12:42
The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.

Luke 11:31
The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the men of this generation and condemn them; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.

2 Chronicles 9:12
King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired—whatever she asked—far more than she had brought the king. Then she left and returned to her own country, along with her servants.

1 Kings 10:13
King Solomon gave the queen of Sheba all she desired—whatever she asked—besides what he had given her out of his royal bounty. Then she left and returned to her own country, along with her servants.

2 Chronicles 9:14
not including the revenue from the merchants and traders. And all the Arabian kings and governors of the land also brought gold and silver to Solomon.

1 Kings 10:22
For the king had the ships of Tarshish at sea with Hiram’s fleet, and once every three years the ships of Tarshish would arrive bearing gold, silver, ivory, apes, and peacocks.


Treasury of Scripture

And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him; and they pleased him not.

Numbers 22:34
And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.

Judges 14:3
Then his father and his mother said unto him, Is there never a woman among the daughters of thy brethren, or among all my people, that thou goest to take a wife of the uncircumcised Philistines? And Samson said unto his father, Get her for me; for she pleaseth me well.

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Cities Eyes Hiram Please Pleased Right Solomon Towns Tyre
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Cities Eyes Hiram Please Pleased Right Solomon Towns Tyre
1 Kings 9
1. God's covenant in a vision with Solomon
10. The mutual presents of Solomon and Hiran
15. In Solomon's works the Gentiles were his bondmen, the Israelites servants
24. Pharaoh's daughter removes to her house
25. Solomon's yearly solemn sacrifices
26. His navy fetches gold from Ophir














So Hiram went out from Tyre
Hiram was the king of Tyre, a prominent Phoenician city known for its wealth and maritime prowess. Tyre was a significant trading hub in the ancient world, and Hiram's relationship with Solomon was mutually beneficial, as seen in their collaboration on the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. This journey from Tyre indicates Hiram's personal interest and investment in the agreement with Solomon, highlighting the importance of their alliance.

to inspect the towns that Solomon had given him
Solomon, in exchange for materials and labor provided by Hiram for the Temple and his palace, gave Hiram twenty towns in the region of Galilee. This area, while part of the Promised Land, was less developed and not as fertile as other parts of Israel. The act of giving towns was a common practice in ancient treaties and alliances, often used to solidify political relationships. However, the quality and strategic value of these towns were crucial for Hiram's acceptance.

but he was not pleased with them
Hiram's dissatisfaction suggests that the towns did not meet his expectations in terms of value or potential. This reaction could be due to the towns' poor agricultural prospects or their lack of development. The phrase indicates a potential strain in the relationship between Hiram and Solomon, despite their previous cooperation. This dissatisfaction is further emphasized in the subsequent verses, where Hiram refers to the towns as "Cabul," a term that may imply worthlessness or insignificance. This incident reflects the complexities of political alliances and the importance of equitable exchanges in maintaining diplomatic relations.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Hiram
The king of Tyre, a significant ally of King Solomon. He provided materials and craftsmen for the building of the temple and Solomon's palace.

2. Solomon
The king of Israel, known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the temple in Jerusalem.

3. Tyre
A prominent city in ancient Phoenicia, known for its wealth and trade. It was Hiram's kingdom.

4. The Cities
These were the towns in the region of Galilee that Solomon gave to Hiram as part of their agreement. Hiram was dissatisfied with them.

5. The Agreement
A mutual exchange between Solomon and Hiram, where Hiram provided resources for Solomon's building projects, and Solomon gave him cities in return.
Teaching Points
The Value of Integrity in Agreements
Solomon's exchange with Hiram reminds us of the importance of fulfilling promises and agreements with integrity. As Christians, we are called to be trustworthy in our dealings with others.

Perception vs. Reality
Hiram's dissatisfaction with the cities highlights how expectations can differ from reality. This teaches us to manage our expectations and communicate clearly in our relationships.

The Significance of Land and Inheritance
The land was a significant part of God's promise to Israel. Understanding its value can help us appreciate the spiritual inheritance we have in Christ.

The Importance of Contentment
Hiram's reaction can serve as a reminder to find contentment in what we receive, trusting that God provides for our needs.

The Role of Alliances and Partnerships
The relationship between Solomon and Hiram shows the importance of forming alliances that honor God and contribute to His purposes.(12) The cities are said to have been in "the land of Galilee." The name Galilee, signifying properly a "circle" or "ring" of territory, is used twice in the Book of Joshua for a region round Kedesh-Naphtali (Joshua 20:7; Joshua 21:32), lying to the north-west of the Lake of Gennesareth, and extending to the Waters of Merom. (See also 2Kings 15:29.) The western portion of this territory would lie nearly on the frontiers of Tyre, and so would suit well the purpose both of Hiram and of Solomon. The discontent of Hiram probably referred to the condition of the cities (which afterwards had to be rebuilt), not to their geographical position.

Verse 12. - And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him; and they pleased him not. [Heb. were not right in his eyes. It has been conjectured that Hiram had hoped for the noble bay of Acco or Ptolemais (Milman, Rawlinson), but surely he had seaboard enough already. It was rather corn lands he would most need and desire. His disappointment is amply accounted for by the fact that the country assigned him was a hungry and mountainous, and therefore comparatively useless, tract. "The region lay on the summit of a broad mountain ridge" (Porter).]

Parallel Commentaries ...


Hebrew
So Hiram
חִירָם֙ (ḥî·rām)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 2438: Hiram -- a Benjamite, also two Arameans (Syrians)

went out
וַיֵּצֵ֤א (way·yê·ṣê)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 3318: To go, bring, out, direct and proxim

from Tyre
מִצֹּ֔ר (miṣ·ṣōr)
Preposition-m | Noun - proper - feminine singular
Strong's 6865: Tyre -- a Phoenician city

to look over
לִרְאוֹת֙ (lir·’ō·wṯ)
Preposition-l | Verb - Qal - Infinitive construct
Strong's 7200: To see

the towns
הֶ֣עָרִ֔ים (he·‘ā·rîm)
Article | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 5892: Excitement

that
אֲשֶׁ֥ר (’ă·šer)
Pronoun - relative
Strong's 834: Who, which, what, that, when, where, how, because, in order that

Solomon
שְׁלֹמֹ֑ה (šə·lō·mōh)
Noun - proper - masculine singular
Strong's 8010: Solomon -- David's son and successor to his throne

had given
נָתַן־ (nā·ṯan-)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 5414: To give, put, set

him,
ל֖וֹ (lōw)
Preposition | third person masculine singular
Strong's Hebrew

but he was not
וְלֹ֥א (wə·lō)
Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle
Strong's 3808: Not, no

pleased with
יָשְׁר֖וּ (yā·šə·rū)
Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person common plural
Strong's 3474: To be straight, even, to be, right, pleasant, prosperous

them.
בְּעֵינָֽיו׃ (bə·‘ê·nāw)
Preposition-b | Noun - cdc | third person masculine singular
Strong's 5869: An eye, a fountain


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OT History: 1 Kings 9:12 Hiram came out from Tyre to see (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)
1 Kings 9:11
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