This chapter contains another account of God’s covenant with Solomon, and some details regarding Solomon’s additional acts as king.
“At the end of twenty years, in which Solomon had built the two houses, the house of the Lord and the king’s house, 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. But when Hiram came from Tyre to see the cities that Solomon had given him, they did not please him. 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. Hiram had sent to the king 120 talents of gold.” (v10-14)
After sending Solomon a significant amount of wood and gold for construction projects over a period of twenty years, Hiram the King of Tyre is given twenty settlements in Galilee. I say settlements, because they were apparently underwhelming and did not please Hiram.
Not only did Solomon deal poorly with the King of Tyre (‘ripped him off’ so to speak), he ‘sold’ some of Israel’s land to a gentile nation. Israel is God’s land, given to the people as an inheritance, and Solomon had no right to sell it or gift it. This act is not Solomon’s ultimate undoing, but his unquenchable thirst for ‘more’ (wealth and women) does eventually lead him astray.
There are numerous examples of OT laws that govern fair dealings with our neighbors, and numerous examples from Jesus as to how we are to love our neighbor (the parable of the good Samaritan is one). Solomon was not fair or generous with Hiram, despite Hiram’s willingness to provide all that Solomon asked.
I encourage us to be generous with those around us as God and Jesus are generous with us. God lavishes many blessings upon us in many forms – time, money, energy, abilities and talents, connections, knowledge, etc. Jesus gave literally everything for us, and if we are to be more Christ-like, we should give generously as well. Solomon had more physical resources than any other person in the Bible, yet he was stingy with sharing them. Let’s treat our neighbors as Jesus would, not as Solomon did.
Father God, our Benevolent and Generous Lord, who gives to all without reproach, we honor and praise You. May we learn to be abundantly generous with all around us, sharing the abundant resources You have given us. Of course we don’t all have the same resources, so what we can give will look different for each person, but if we faithfully listen to Your Spirit’s promptings, I trust many needs will be met. Thank you for leading and guiding us, forever and always, amen.
~ Conqueror in Training