Verse (Click for Chapter) New International Version “What kind of towns are these you have given me, my brother?” he asked. And he called them the Land of Kabul, a name they have to this day. New Living Translation “What kind of towns are these, my brother?” he asked. So Hiram called that area Cabul (which means “worthless”), as it is still known today. English Standard Version 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. 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. Berean Literal Bible And he said, “What are these cities that you have given to me, my brother?” And he called them the land of Cabul, as they are to this day. King James Bible 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. New King James Version So he said, “What kind of cities are these which you have given me, my brother?” And he called them the land of Cabul, as they are to this day. New American Standard Bible And he said, “What are these cities which you have given me, my brother?” So they have been called the land of Cabul to this day. NASB 1995 He said, “What are these cities which you have given me, my brother?” So they were called the land of Cabul to this day. NASB 1977 And he said, “What are these cities which you have given me, my brother?” So they were called the land of Cabul to this day. Legacy Standard Bible And he said, “What are these cities which you have given me, my brother?” So they were called the land of Cabul to this day. Amplified Bible He said, “What are these cities [good for] which you have given me, my brother?” So they have been called the land of Cabul (like nothing, unproductive) to this day. Berean Annotated Bible “What are these towns you have given me, my brother? asked Hiram, and he called them the Land of Cabul (good-for-nothing), as they are called to this day. Christian Standard Bible So he said, “What are these towns you’ve given me, my brother? ” So he called them the Land of Cabul, as they are still called today. Holman Christian Standard Bible So he said, “What are these towns you’ve given me, my brother?” So he called them the Land of Cabul, as they are still called today. 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. Contemporary English Version He said, "Solomon, my friend, are these the kind of towns you want to give me?" So Hiram called the region Cabul because he thought it was worthless. English Revised 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. GOD'S WORD® Translation "What kind of cities have you given me, brother?" he asked. So he named it the region of Cabul [Good for Nothing]. ( [They're] still [called] that today.) Good News Translation So he said to Solomon, "So these, my brother, are the towns you have given me!" For this reason the area is still called Cabul. International Standard Version so he asked him, "What are these cities that you have given to me, my brother?" That's why these cities were named "the land of Cabal" to this day. NET Bible Hiram asked, "Why did you give me these cities, my friend?" He called that area the region of Cabul, a name which it has retained to this day. New Heart English Bible He said, "What cities are these which you have given me, my brother?" He called them the land of Cabul to this day. Webster's Bible Translation And he said, What cities are these which thou hast given me, my brother? And he called them the land of Cabul to this day. Majority Text Translations Majority 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. World English Bible He said, “What cities are these which you have given me, my brother?” He called them the land of Cabul to this day. Literal Translations Literal Standard Versionand he says, “What [are] these cities that you have given to me, my brother?” And one calls them the land of Cabul to this day. Berean Literal Bible And he said, “What are these cities that you have given to me, my brother?” And he called them the land of Cabul, as they are to this day. Young's Literal Translation and he saith, 'What are these cities that thou hast given to me, my brother?' and one calleth them the land of Cabul unto this day. Smith's Literal Translation And he will say, What these cities which thou gavest to me, my brother? And he will call them the land Cabul even to this day. Catholic Translations Douay-Rheims BibleAnd he said: Are these the cities which thou hast given me, brother? And he called them the land of Chabul, unto this day. Catholic Public Domain Version And he said, “Are these the cities that you have given to me, brother?” And he called them the land of Cabul, even to this day. New American Bible So he said, “What are these cities you have given me, my brother?” And he called them the land of Cabul, as they are called to this day. New Revised Standard Version 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. Translations from Aramaic Lamsa BibleAnd he said, What kind of cities are these which you have given me, my brother? And he called them the land of Cabuli to this day. Peshitta Holy Bible Translated And he said: “What are these towns that you have given to me, my brother?” And he called them the land of Kabuli until today. OT Translations JPS Tanakh 1917And he said: 'What cities are these which thou hast given me, my brother?' And they were called the land of Cabul, unto this day. Brenton Septuagint Translation What are these cities which thou hast given me, brother? And he called them Boundary until this day. Additional Translations ... Audio Bible Context Solomon's Numerous Achievements…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. 14And Hiram had sent the king 120 talents of gold.… Cross References “What are these towns you have given me, my brother?” 2 Chronicles 8:1-2 Now at the end of the twenty years during which Solomon had built the house of the LORD and his own palace, / Solomon rebuilt the cities Hiram had given him and settled Israelites there. 1 Kings 5:1-7 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 Samuel 5:11 Now Hiram king of Tyre sent envoys to David, along with cedar logs, carpenters, and stonemasons, and they built a palace for David. asked Hiram, 1 Kings 5:8-10 Then Hiram sent a reply to Solomon, saying: “I have received your message; I will do all you desire regarding the cedar and cypress timber. / My servants will haul the logs from Lebanon to the Sea, and I will float them as rafts by sea to the place you specify. There I will separate the logs, and you can take them away. And in exchange, you can meet my needs by providing my household with food.” / So Hiram provided Solomon with all the cedar and cypress timber he wanted, 2 Chronicles 2:11-12 Then Hiram king of Tyre wrote a letter in reply to Solomon: “Because the LORD loves His people, He has set you over them as king.” / And Hiram added: “Blessed be the LORD, the God of Israel, who made the heavens and the earth! He has given King David a wise son with insight and understanding, who will build a temple for the LORD and a royal palace for himself. 2 Chronicles 2:13-14 So now I am sending you Huram-abi, a skillful man endowed with creativity. / He is the son of a woman from the daughters of Dan, and his father is a man of Tyre. He is skilled in work with gold and silver, bronze and iron, stone and wood, purple, blue, and crimson yarn, and fine linen. He is experienced in every kind of engraving and can execute any design that is given him. He will work with your craftsmen and with those of my lord, your father David. and he called them the Land of Cabul, Deuteronomy 3:14 Jair, a descendant of Manasseh, took the whole region of Argob as far as the border of the Geshurites and Maacathites. He renamed Bashan after himself, Havvoth-jair, by which it is called to this day. Judges 1:26 And the man went to the land of the Hittites, built a city, and called it Luz, which is its name to this day. Joshua 19:47 (Later, when the territory of the Danites was lost to them, they went up and fought against Leshem, captured it, and put it to the sword. So they took possession of Leshem, settled there, and renamed it after their father Dan.) as they are called to this day. Genesis 26:33 So he called it Shibah, and to this day the name of the city is Beersheba. Joshua 7:26 And they heaped over Achan a large pile of rocks that remains to this day. So the LORD turned from His burning anger. Therefore that place is called the Valley of Achor to this day. 2 Samuel 18:18 During his lifetime, Absalom had set up for himself a pillar in the King’s Valley, for he had said, “I have no son to preserve the memory of my name.” So he gave the pillar his name, and to this day it is called Absalom’s Monument. 2 Chronicles 8:2 Solomon rebuilt the cities Hiram had given him and settled Israelites there. 1 Kings 9:11-12 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. / So Hiram went out from Tyre to inspect the towns that Solomon had given him, but he was not pleased with them. 2 Samuel 24:24 “No,” replied the king, “I insist on paying a price, for I will not offer to the LORD my God burnt offerings that cost me nothing.” So David bought the threshing floor and the oxen for fifty shekels of silver. 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.) Treasury of Scripture And he said, What cities are these which you have given me, my brother? And he called them the land of Cabul to this day. my brother 1 Kings 5:1,2 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… 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: 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, Jump to Previous Cabul Cities Kind Sort TownsJump to Next Cabul Cities Kind Sort Towns1 Kings 9 1. God's covenant in a vision with Solomon10. 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 “What are these towns you have given me, my brother?” Hiram, the king of Tyre, had provided Solomon with materials and craftsmen for the construction of the temple and royal palace. In return, Solomon gave Hiram twenty towns in the region of Galilee. Hiram's question reflects his dissatisfaction with the quality or value of these towns. The term "my brother" indicates a diplomatic relationship, as alliances were often solidified through familial language. This phrase highlights the importance of mutual respect and fair exchange in ancient Near Eastern treaties. The towns' condition may have been poor, which could explain Hiram's disappointment. asked Hiram, and he called them the Land of Cabul, as they are called to this day. Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonThe King of Israel, known for his wisdom and wealth, who built the temple in Jerusalem and engaged in various building projects. 2. Hiram The King of Tyre, an ally of Solomon, who provided materials and craftsmen for the construction of the temple and Solomon's palace. 3. Cabul A region or group of cities in Galilee given by Solomon to Hiram, which Hiram found unsatisfactory. 4. Israel The nation under Solomon's rule, experiencing a time of prosperity and expansion. 5. Tyre A significant Phoenician city-state, known for its trade and skilled artisans, allied with Israel through Hiram. Teaching Points The Value of Gifts and OfferingsThe passage highlights the importance of giving gifts that are valuable and meaningful. Solomon's gift to Hiram was not well-received, reminding us to consider the recipient's perspective and needs when giving. Perception and Reality Hiram's dissatisfaction with the cities points to the difference between perceived value and actual value. In our lives, we should seek God's wisdom to discern true worth beyond appearances. The Importance of Alliances The relationship between Solomon and Hiram underscores the significance of forming alliances and partnerships. In our spiritual walk, we should seek godly relationships that build us up and align with our values. Contentment and Expectations Hiram's reaction to the cities can teach us about managing expectations and finding contentment. We should strive to be content with what God provides, even if it doesn't meet our initial expectations. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of 1 Kings 9:13?2. Why did Hiram call the cities "Cabul" in 1 Kings 9:13? 3. How does Solomon's gift reflect his relationship with Hiram and God's provision? 4. What does "Cabul" reveal about the value of earthly versus spiritual blessings? 5. How can we ensure our actions honor God, unlike Solomon's gift in 1 Kings 9:13? 6. Compare Solomon's actions here with Proverbs 3:9-10 on honoring God with wealth. 7. Why did Hiram call the cities "Cabul" in 1 Kings 9:13? 8. What is the significance of the term "Cabul" in 1 Kings 9:13? 9. How does 1 Kings 9:13 reflect on Solomon's leadership and wisdom? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 9? 11. In 1 Kings 9:11, how could Solomon give Hiram twenty cities in Galilee, and is there any historical or archaeological evidence confirming this exchange? 12. In 2 Chronicles 8:2, Solomon rebuilds cities given by Hiram, yet 1 Kings 9:11-13 implies those cities were unacceptable to him; how can both accounts be accurate? 13. 2 Kings 13:25 - Are there any external historical or archaeological sources that verify Jehoash's repeated conquests against Ben-Hadad, or does the Bible alone provide this narrative? 14. Psalm 138:4-5 speaks of all kings praising God. Is there any historical evidence that surrounding nations' rulers ever truly honored Israel's God in this way? What Does 1 Kings 9:13 Mean What are these towns you have given me, my brother?• Hiram’s pointed question reveals disappointment. After years of generously supplying cedar, cypress, and gold for Solomon’s temple and palace (1 Kings 5:1-12; 9:11), he expected communities of real value. • The address “my brother” underscores the covenant friendship between Hiram and Solomon (cf. Amos 1:9). Even trusted alliances can feel strained when expectations are unmet. • The verse reminds us that material exchanges should match the promises made (Proverbs 11:1). Integrity in giving honors God and safeguards relationships. asked Hiram • Hiram does not stay silent. He travels from Tyre to inspect the twenty Galilean towns (1 Kings 9:12) and then asks for clarity. • His inquiry models the wisdom of addressing grievances directly rather than harboring resentment (Matthew 18:15). • Solomon will later write, “Better is open rebuke than hidden love” (Proverbs 27:5). Hiram’s straightforward question fits that principle. and he called them the Land of Cabul • “Cabul” sounds like “good for nothing,” signaling Hiram’s negative assessment. The towns were likely undeveloped or agriculturally poor (2 Chron 8:2 notes Solomon later rebuilt them). • The naming act shows how leaders can label realities from their perspective—sometimes prematurely. Like Naomi calling herself “Mara” (Ruth 1:20), human labels often reflect temporary discouragement, not God’s final word. • God can later redeem what seems worthless; Galilee, once called Cabul, becomes the region where Jesus ministers (Isaiah 9:1-2; Matthew 4:12-16). as they are called to this day • The phrase roots the narrative in verifiable history. The inspired author affirms that the name endured up to his writing, inviting readers to confirm the record (cf. Joshua 4:9; 1 Samuel 6:18). • Scripture’s time-stamped details underscore its reliability. They encourage believers to trust God’s Word for both past events and future promises (Isaiah 55:11). • Even an enduring negative name points to God’s unfolding plan: what remains “Cabul” in the human record can still become precious in His redemptive timetable. summary Hiram’s disappointed question highlights the importance of integrity in partnerships. His direct inquiry, the labeling of the towns as “Cabul,” and the historical note that the name stuck all teach that God’s people must honor commitments, address disappointments openly, and remember that God can transform what others deem worthless. Centuries later, the same Galilee gains honor through Christ’s ministry, proving that the Lord’s purposes prevail even when human expectations falter. (13) Cabul.--The derivation of this word is uncertain. Josephus evidently did not know it as a Hebrew word; for he expressly says, that in the Phaenician language it signifies "what is unpleasing." (Ant. viii. 100:5, sect. 3). A city Cabul is mentioned in Joshua 19:27, in the territory of Asher, evidently on the Tyrian frontier, and in the neighbourhood in question. Hiram, it is thought, takes up this name, and applies it to the whole territory, and by a play of words on it signifies his discontent with Solomon's gift. Ewald supposes a Hebrew derivation for the word ("as nought"); others take it to be "like that which vanishes." Either would suit the sense indicated in the text well; but unless these derivations represent something cognate in the Tyrian language, they hardly accord with the requirements of this passage, which (as Josephus says) implies a Phoenician origin for the word.Verse 13. - And he said, What cities are these which thou hast given me, my brother? [Cf. 1 Kings 20:32. It would seem, at first sight, as if this form of speech was then, as now, the usage of courts. But the Fellahin of Palestine, the "modern Canaanites," still address each other as "my father" or "my brother." See Conder, "Tent-work," p. 332]. And he called them the land of Cabul [The meaning of this word is quite uncertain. The LXX. reads Οριον, which shows that they must have read גבול instead of כבול; indeed, it is possible that the words have the same meaning (Gesen.) Stanley (S. and P. p. 364) thinks these cities formed the boundary between the two kingdoms, and refers to the use of ὅρια in Matthew 15:21; Luke 6:17, etc. According to Josephus, Ξαβαλὼν, is a Phoenician word, meaning displeasing; but his etymologies are to be received with caution, and Gesenius justly pronounces this a mere conjecture from the context. Thenius and Ewald regard the word as compounded of כ and בל = as nothing; Keil connects it with the root חבל, which would yield the meaning pawned or pledged, and hence concludes that, this strip of territory was merely given to Hiram as a security for the repayment of a loan (see below on ver. 14); while Bahr derives it from כבל, an unused root, akin to the preceding - vinxit, constrinxit, and would see in it a name bestowed on the region because of its confined geographical position. He does not understand the word, however, as a term of contempt. "How," he asks, "could Hiram give the district a permanent name which contained a mockery of himself rather than of the land?" But the word was obviously an expression of disparagement, if not disgust, which, falling from Hiram's lips, was caught up and repeated with a view to mark not so much his displeasure as Solomon's meanness. But it is not necessary to find a meaning for the word, for it is to be considered that a city Bearing this name existed at that time and in this neighbourhood (Joshua 19:27), the site of which, in all probability, is marked by the modern Kabul, eight miles east of Accho (Robinson, 3:87, 88; Dict. Bib. 1:237; Thomson, "Land and Book," 1:281, 511). It is possible, indeed, that it may have been one of the "twenty cities" (ver. 11) given to Hiram. And if this city, whether within or without the district of Galilee, were notorious for its poverty or meanness, or conspicuous by its bleak situation, we can at once understand why Hiram should transfer the name to the adjoining region, even if that name, in itself, had no special significance] unto this day. [See on 1 Kings 8:8.]Parallel Commentaries ... Hebrew “Whatמָ֚ה (māh) Interrogative Strong's 4100: What?, what!, indefinitely what are these הָאֵ֔לֶּה (hā·’êl·leh) Article | Pronoun - common plural Strong's 428: These, those towns הֶעָרִ֣ים (he·‘ā·rîm) Article | Noun - feminine plural Strong's 5892: Excitement you have given נָתַ֥תָּה (nā·ṯat·tāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - second person masculine singular Strong's 5414: To give, put, set me, לִּ֖י (lî) Preposition | first person common singular Strong's Hebrew my brother?” אָחִ֑י (’ā·ḥî) Noun - masculine singular construct | first person common singular Strong's 251: A brother, ) asked [Hiram], וַיֹּ֕אמֶר (way·yō·mer) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 559: To utter, say and he called וַיִּקְרָ֤א (way·yiq·rā) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular Strong's 7121: To call, proclaim, read them לָהֶם֙ (lā·hem) Preposition | third person masculine plural Strong's Hebrew the land אֶ֣רֶץ (’e·reṣ) Noun - feminine singular construct Strong's 776: Earth, land of Cabul, כָּב֔וּל (kā·ḇūl) Noun - proper - feminine singular Strong's 3521: Cabul -- a city in Asher, also a region in Galilee as they are [called] to עַ֖ד (‘aḏ) Preposition Strong's 5704: As far as, even to, up to, until, while this הַזֶּֽה׃ (haz·zeh) Article | Pronoun - masculine singular Strong's 2088: This, that day. הַיּ֥וֹם (hay·yō·wm) Article | Noun - masculine singular Strong's 3117: A day Links 1 Kings 9:13 NIV1 Kings 9:13 NLT 1 Kings 9:13 ESV 1 Kings 9:13 NASB 1 Kings 9:13 KJV 1 Kings 9:13 BibleApps.com 1 Kings 9:13 Biblia Paralela 1 Kings 9:13 Chinese Bible 1 Kings 9:13 French Bible 1 Kings 9:13 Catholic Bible OT History: 1 Kings 9:13 He said What cities are these which (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) |
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