And Hiram
Hiram, the king of Tyre, is a significant figure in the narrative of Solomon's reign. Historically, Tyre was a powerful Phoenician city known for its skilled craftsmen and extensive trade networks. Hiram's relationship with Solomon is emblematic of the peaceful and prosperous alliances that characterized Solomon's reign. The name "Hiram" itself, derived from the Hebrew "חִירָם" (Chiram), can mean "my brother is exalted," reflecting the close and respectful relationship between the two kings.

had sent
The act of sending implies a gesture of goodwill and cooperation. In the ancient Near Eastern context, such exchanges were common among allied nations and were often used to solidify political alliances. This act of sending gold signifies not only a material transaction but also a deeper bond of friendship and mutual respect between Hiram and Solomon.

the king
Referring to King Solomon, this phrase underscores his status and the respect he commanded from neighboring rulers. Solomon, known for his wisdom and wealth, was a central figure in Israel's history, and his reign is often seen as a golden age for the nation. The title "king" here emphasizes the authority and influence Solomon wielded, which was recognized even by foreign rulers like Hiram.

120 talents of gold
A talent was a significant unit of weight in the ancient world, and 120 talents would have been an enormous amount of gold, reflecting immense wealth. This substantial gift from Hiram to Solomon highlights the prosperity of Solomon's kingdom and the economic strength of Tyre. Gold, often associated with divinity and kingship, symbolizes the divine favor and blessing upon Solomon's reign. Historically, such large quantities of gold would have been used for grand projects, such as the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem, which Solomon undertook with Hiram's assistance.

(14) Hiram sent to the king sixscore talents of gold.--The payment, on any calculation, was a large one, though little more than a sixth of Solomon's yearly revenue. (See 1Kings 10:14.) How it is connected with the previous verses is matter of conjecture. It may possibly be a note referring back to 1Kings 9:11, and explaining the amount of gold which Hiram had sent. If this is not so, it would then seem to be a payment in acknowledgment of the cession of the cities, as being of greater value than the debt which it was meant to discharge. Hiram's depreciation of the cities need not imply that he did not care to keep them. "It is naught, it is naught, saith the buyer: but when he is gone his way, then he boasteth." (Proverbs 20:14). Josephus (Ant. viii. 5, 3), has a quaint story in connection with this intercourse between Hiram and Solomon (quoted from Dios), declaring that a contest in riddles took place between these kings, and that, when Hiram could not solve the riddles of Solomon, he "paid a large sum of money for his fine," but adds that he afterwards retaliated on Solomon, by aid of Abdemon of Tyre. It appears by 2Chronicles 7:2, that the cities were afterwards restored to Israel--how, and why, we know not.

(15 28) The rest of the chapter consists of brief historical notes, partly referring back to the previous records. Thus, 1Kings 9:15 refers back to 1Kings 5:13; 1Kings 9:20-22 to 1Kings 5:15; 1Kings 9:24 to 1Kings 7:8; 1Kings 9:25 is a note connected with the history of the dedication of the Temple. The style is markedly different from the graphic and picturesque style of the passages preceding and following it. . . .

Verse 14. - And Hiram sent וַיְִּשלַח must be understood as pluperfect, "Now Hiram had sent," referring to verse 11. This fact is mentioned to explain the gift of the cities, viz., that they were in payment for the gold he had furnished. The timber and stone and labour had been paid for in corn and wine and oil See on 1 Kings 5:11] to the king sixscore talents of gold. [This sum is variously estimated at from half a million to a million and a quarter of our money. (Keil, in loc., and Dict. Bib. 3:1734. It equalled 3000 shekels of the sanctuary (Exodus 38:24-26). Keil, who, as we have seen, interprets Cabul to mean pledged, says somewhat positively that these 120 talents were merely lent to Solomon to enable him to prosecute his undertakings, and that the twenty cities were Hiram's security for its repayment. He further sees in the restoration of these cities (2 Chronicles 8:2, where see note) a proof that Solomon must have repaid the amount lent him. The "sixscore talents "should be compared with the 120 talents of ch. 10:10, and the 666 talents of 1 Kings 10:14.]

Parallel Commentaries ...


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

had sent
וַיִּשְׁלַ֥ח (way·yiš·laḥ)
Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 7971: To send away, for, out

the king
לַמֶּ֑לֶךְ (lam·me·leḵ)
Preposition-l, Article | Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 4428: A king

120
מֵאָ֥ה (mê·’āh)
Number - feminine singular
Strong's 3967: A hundred

talents
כִּכַּ֥ר (kik·kar)
Noun - feminine singular construct
Strong's 3603: A round, a round district, a round loaf, a round weight, a talent (a measure of weight or money)

of gold.
זָהָֽב׃ (zā·hāḇ)
Noun - masculine singular
Strong's 2091: Gold, something gold-colored, as oil, a clear sky


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OT History: 1 Kings 9:14 Hiram sent to the king one hundred (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg)