MPV Commentary

Solomon's Buildings.

The cities that Huram had restored to their former glory were now rebuilt by Solomon himself (2Ch 8:1). These cities were located in the northwest region of Galilee and had never been conquered by Israel despite being part of the promised land. The right to occupy them was granted to Huram, but he declined, considering them unsuitable for his people's commercial habits (see on 1Ki 9:11). Solomon, having taken control from the Canaanite inhabitants, restored and repopulated these cities with Hebrews.

Solomon then traveled to Hamath-zobah, a city located in Coele-Syria along the Orontes River (2Ch 8:3-4). The king of Hamath, Toi, had been an ally of David, but it appears that some change had occurred, uniting the kingdoms of Hamath and Zobah. We are not informed about the reason for Solomon's resentment towards Hamath-zobah, but he sent a military force to conquer it. He also took control of Tadmor, known as Palmyra in the same region (2Ch 8:5). Additionally, Solomon repaired and fortified various other cities along his kingdom's borders, either to facilitate trade or to secure his dominions from foreign threats (see on 2Ch 1:14; 1Ki 9:15).