A Rejected Gift

Now the temple was completed, but Solomon’s coffers were depleted.

Turning again to Hiram, Solomon asked if he would consider trading gold for land. Hiram sent him 120 talents of gold. Hiram’s contribution would be roughly equivalent to 327 bars of gold today. “The gold that Hiram gave to Solomon may not have been provided at the time the Temple was built, but was probably the 120 talents mentioned in [1 Kings 9:14].” In exchange for this infusion of gold, Solomon ceded to Hiram twenty cities in the region of Galilee.

“These cities are not mentioned in the compact made between Solomon and Hiram, whereby Hiram was to furnish timber and labor for activities connected with the building of the Temple, and was to receive in return certain provisions of food (1 Kings 5:5–11). Nor is anything said in the original agreement about Hiram’s providing Solomon with gold. According to the strict provisions of the Mosaic code, Solomon had no right to give away these cities (Lev. 25:23). But such are the necessities of a worldly policy that technical provisions of the law are easily set aside. “. . . It appears that at the time the compact was made, these cities were populated by native inhabitants of the land rather than Israelites, for it was 20 years after the return of these cities to Solomon that men of Israel were caused by their king to dwell there (2 Chron. 8:2).” Hiram came out to see the cities he had been given and was unhappy with what he received.

He probably thought he would get land bordering the Mediterranean or perhaps some fertile valley area that might grow needed grain. Instead, he “received a group of inferior inland towns. It seems that Hiram refused Solomon’s gift, and never even took possession of the cities.” Hiram called the land “Cabul,” which, interpreted by Josephus, means “what does not please.” “Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them: for this is the law and the prophets” (Matthew 7:12).