1 Kings 9:11

Gold. The gold that Hiram gave to Solomon may not have been provided at the time the Temple was built, but was probably the 120 talents mentioned in v. 14. After 20 years of building, Solomon’s treasury was doubtless considerably depleted, and as a result Solomon turned to Hiram, who may have agreed to provide the gold in return for certain cities from Solomon.

Solomon gave Hiram. These cities are not mentioned in the compact made between Solomon and Hiram, whereby Hiram was to furnish timber and labor for activities connected with the building of the Temple, and was to receive in return certain provisions of food (1 Kings 5:5-11). Nor is anything said in the original agreement about Hiram’s providing Solomon with gold. According to the strict provisions of the Mosaic code, Solomon had no right to give away these cities (Lev. 25:23). But such are the necessities of a worldly policy that technical provisions of the law are easily set aside.

Galilee. The name “Galilee,” means “circle,” and refers to the district twice mentioned in the book of Joshua in which the city of Kedesh was situated (Joshua 20:7; 21:32). The region was to the northwest of the Sea of Galilee. The western portion of this territory would be near the frontiers of Tyre, and so would suit the purposes of both Hiram and Solomon. It appears that at the time the compact was made, these cities were populated by native inhabitants of the land rather than Israelites, for it was 20 years after the return of these cities to Solomon that men of Israel were caused by their king to dwell there (2 Chron. 8:2).