MPV Commentary

The Mutual Presents of Solomon and Hiram.

At the end of twenty years, Solomon had completed his palace (1Ki 7:1; 2Ch 8:1). This brief summary recaps what was previously mentioned in 1Ki 9:1 to help us follow the narrative thread.

Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the Galilee region as a gift. These cities, situated on the northwest part of Galilee near Tyre (Josephus), had never been conquered by Israel before and were inhabited by Canaanite heathens (Jud 4:2-13; 2Ki 15:29). They likely belonged to Hiram due to his significant contributions in providing skilled workers, materials, and a large quantity of gold for the temple and other buildings (1Ki 9:14). Some believe this gold was actually payment from Hiram for failing to answer Solomon's riddles and apothegms during their private correspondence. When Hiram refused these cities due to their inland location being unsuitable for his maritime people, Solomon took them over, repaired the damaged walls, and populated them with Hebrews (2Ch 8:2).

This is why Solomon imposed a levy on the people – both men and resources – to fund his numerous construction projects.

The fortifications of Jerusalem included Millo, which was either part of the fortified wall around Mount Zion or its great corner tower (1Ki 11:27; 2Ch 32:5). The wall of Jerusalem may have been repaired or extended to enclose Mount Zion. Other key cities Solomon fortified include Hazor, a strategic location on the northern boundary; Megiddo, situated along the caravan route between Egypt and Damascus; Gezer, a Levitical city occupied by Canaanites that had fallen under Egyptian control but was given as a dowry to the king's daughter; Beth-horon the nether, an important stopover on the road from Joppa to Jerusalem and Gibeon; Baalath (Baal-bek); Tadmor (Palmyra), rebuilt and fortified as a security measure against invasion from northern Asia. To accomplish these projects, Solomon employed large numbers of Canaanites as galley slaves, treating them as prisoners of war who were forced into hard labor while the Israelites worked on more honorable tasks.

These individuals were among the chief officers overseeing various aspects of Solomon's construction projects (2Ch 8:10).