King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 9:11 Mean?

1 Kings 9:11 in the King James Version says “( Now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees, and with gold, according to all his d... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

( Now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees, and with gold, according to all his desire,) that then king Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.

1 Kings 9:11 · KJV


Context

9

And they shall answer, Because they forsook the LORD their God, who brought forth their fathers out of the land of Egypt, and have taken hold upon other gods, and have worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath the LORD brought upon them all this evil.

10

And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, when Solomon had built the two houses, the house of the LORD, and the king's house,

11

( Now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees, and with gold, according to all his desire,) that then king Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.

12

And Hiram came out from Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him; and they pleased him not. pleased: Heb. were not right in his eyes

13

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. Cabul: that is, displeasing, or, dirty


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
(Now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and fir trees, and with gold, according to all his desire,) that then king Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee.

This verse contributes to the broader narrative of god's covenant with solomon and his building projects, within the book's focus on Solomon's wisdom, temple building, and tragic apostasy.

The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural Context

First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Solomon's reign (c. 970-930 BCE) represented Israel's golden age of peace and prosperity.

Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.

Reflection Questions

  1. How did Solomon's disobedience to God's clear commands lead to his downfall, and what warnings does this provide?
  2. What role do relationships and alliances play in either strengthening or compromising our faith?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 22 words
לְחִירָם֙1 of 22

Now Hiram

H2438

chiram or chirom, the name of two tyrians

הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ2 of 22

king

H4428

a king

צֹ֠ר3 of 22

of Tyre

H6865

tsor, a place in palestine

נִשָּׂ֨א4 of 22

had furnished

H5375

to lift, in a great variety of applications, literal and figurative, absolute and relative

אֶת5 of 22
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

שְׁלֹמֹ֤ה6 of 22

Solomon

H8010

shelomah, david's successor

וּבַֽעֲצֵ֧י7 of 22

trees

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

אֲרָזִ֨ים8 of 22

with cedar

H730

a cedar tree (from the tenacity of its roots)

וּבַֽעֲצֵ֧י9 of 22

trees

H6086

a tree (from its firmness); hence, wood (plural sticks)

בְרוֹשִׁ֛ים10 of 22

and fir

H1265

a cypress (?) tree; hence, a lance or a musical instrument (as made of that wood)

וּבַזָּהָ֖ב11 of 22

and with gold

H2091

gold, figuratively, something gold-colored (i.e., yellow), as oil, a clear sky

לְכָל12 of 22
H3605

properly, the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense)

חֶפְצ֑וֹ13 of 22

according to all his desire

H2656

pleasure; hence (abstractly) desire; concretely, a valuable thing; hence (by extension) a matter (as something in mind)

אָ֡ז14 of 22

that then

H227

at that time or place; also as a conjunction, therefore

יִתֵּן֩15 of 22

gave

H5414

to give, used with greatest latitude of application (put, make, etc.)

הַמֶּ֨לֶךְ16 of 22

king

H4428

a king

שְׁלֹמֹ֤ה17 of 22

Solomon

H8010

shelomah, david's successor

לְחִירָם֙18 of 22

Now Hiram

H2438

chiram or chirom, the name of two tyrians

עֶשְׂרִ֣ים19 of 22

twenty

H6242

twenty; also (ordinal) twentieth

עִ֔יר20 of 22

cities

H5892

a city (a place guarded by waking or a watch) in the widest sense (even of a mere encampment or post)

בְּאֶ֖רֶץ21 of 22

in the land

H776

the earth (at large, or partitively a land)

הַגָּלִֽיל׃22 of 22

of Galilee

H1551

galil (as a special circuit) in the north of palestine


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Kings 9:11 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Kings 9:11 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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