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(Keil, whose estimate seems the most probable). We suppose it was in repayment of
this sum that Solomon ceded to Hiram twenty cities in Northern Galilee, adjoining the
possessions of Tyre. With these he might the more readily part, since the district was
partially "Gentile" (Isaiah 9:1). But Hiram, who probably covered a strip of land along
the coast, was dissatisfied with his new acquisition, and gave it the contemptuous
designation of "the land of Cabul."^142 The district seems, however, to have been
afterwards restored to Solomon^143 (2 Chronicles 8:2), no doubt on repayment of the
loan and other compensation.
The later relations between Hiram and Solomon consisted chiefly in mercantile
alliances. Although most writers regard the fleet which sailed to Ophir (1 Kings 9:27,
28) as identical with "the navy of Tarshish" (1 Kings 10:22), yet the names, the
imports, as well as the regularity in the passages of the latter ("every three years"), and
the express statement that its destiny was Tarshish (2 Chronicles 9:21) seem opposed
to this view. Opinions are also divergent as to the exact location of Ophir, and the share
which Hiram had in the outfit of this expedition, whether he only furnished sailors (1
Kings 9:27), or also the ships (2 Chronicles 8:28). In all probability the wood for these
ships was cut in Lebanon by order of Hiram, and floated to Joppa, whence it would be
transported by land (comp. 2 Chronicles 2:16) to Ezion-Geber and Elath, at the head of
the Gulf of Akabah (the Red Sea), where the vessels would be built under the direction
of Phoenician shipwrights. Upon the whole, it seems most likely that the Ophir whence
they fetched gold was Arabia. The sacred text does not inform us whether these
expeditions were periodical, the absence of such notice rather leading to the
supposition that this was not the case, or at least that they were not continued. The total
result of these expeditions was an importation of gold to the amount of 420 talents^144
(according to Keil about 1 _ million sterling).
It was not only the prospect of such addition to the wealth of the country, but that this
was the first Jewish maritime expedition - in fact, the first great national trading
undertaking, which gave it such importance in public estimation that Solomon went in
person to visit the two harbors where the fleet was fitting out (2 Chronicles 8:17).
According to 1 Kings 10:11, the Phoenician fleet also brought from "Ophir" "precious
stones" and "almug-trees," or sandal-wood, which King Solomon used for
"balustrades" in the Temple, for his own palace, and for making musical instruments.
The success of this trading adventure may have led to another similar undertaking, in
company with the Phoenicians, to Tartessus (Tarshish),^145 the well-known great
mercantile emporium on the south coast of Spain. The duration of such an expedition is
stated in round numbers as three years; and the trade became so regular that afterwards
all the large merchantmen were popularly known as "Tarshish-ships" (comp. 1 Kings
22:48; Psalm 48:7; Isaiah 2:16).^146 The imports from Tarshish consisted of gold,
silver, ivory,^147 apes, and peacocks (1 Kings 10:22).
(^)