Hiram's Payment of 120 Talents of Gold to Solomon
Hiram's Payment of 120 Talents of Gold to Solomon
First Kings 9:14 records that "Hiram sent to king Solomon a hundred and twenty talents of gold" [1]. This transaction appears at the conclusion of Solomon's twenty-year building program, which encompassed both the temple and his palace complex. The payment represents Hiram's contribution to Solomon's construction projects, though the precise nature of the arrangement—whether loan, payment for services, or part of a broader exchange—has generated interpretive discussion.
Josephus clarifies the context in his Antiquities, explaining that Hiram "was ambitious to contribute to the splendor of this edifice of Solomon, and made him a present of one hundred and twenty talents of gold" [2]. This framing suggests the gold was given specifically for the temple's adornment, alongside the cedar and pine timber Hiram provided from Lebanon. The sum was substantial: by one early modern calculation, it amounted to 540,000 pounds sterling [8], though such conversions depend heavily on the talent's weight standard used.
The transaction's complexity emerges when we consider the broader economic relationship between the two kings. Solomon had agreed to supply Hiram with wheat and olive oil annually in exchange for timber and gold [6]. Yet the arrangement apparently left Solomon indebted, prompting him to cede twenty cities in Galilee to Hiram as compensation [3]. Hiram, however, found these towns unsatisfactory—he called the region "Cabul," a term suggesting displeasure—and returned them to Solomon's control [4, 6]. The two monarchs then "settled upon other means of compensation and remained active allies and trading partners" [6].
John Gill's commentary interprets the verse's verb tense as pluperfect: Hiram "had sent" the gold before receiving the cities, making the 120 talents the original sum that necessitated Solomon's territorial payment [8]. This reading positions the gold as a loan or advance rather than a gift, explaining why Solomon needed to levy taxes on his people to settle the debt [5]. Matthew Henry emphasizes that Hiram "made good his bargain to the utmost," furnishing Solomon "according to all his desire" without envying Solomon's growing power [7].
The episode illustrates the economic pressures even Solomon's legendary wealth faced. Despite receiving 666 talents of gold annually through trade [9], the temple's construction required external financing that strained royal resources and tested diplomatic friendships.
Sources
- I Kings “I Kings 9:14 (DRC) — And Hiram sent to king Solomon a hundred and twenty talents of gold.”
- Project Gutenberg “Flavius Josephus, Against Apion, Introduction, section 17: his forefathers. He thereupon was ambitious to contribute to the splendor of this edifice of Solomon, and made him a present of one hundred and twenty talents of gold. He also cut down the most excellent timber out of that mountain which is called Libanus, and sent it to him for adorning its roof. Solomon also not only made him many other presents, by way of requital, but gave him a country in Galilee also, that was called Chabulon. [13] But there was another passion, a philosophic inclination of theirs, which cemented the friendship t”
- 1 Kings (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 1 Kings 9:11: Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee--According to JOSEPHUS, they were situated on the northwest of it, adjacent to Tyre. Though lying within the boundaries of the promised land (Gen 15:18; Jos 1:4), they had never been conquered till then, and were inhabited by Canaanite heathens (Jdg 4:2-13; Kg2 15:29). They were probably given to Hiram, whose dominions were small, as a remuneration for his important services in furnishing workmen, materials, and an immense quantity of wrought gold (Kg1 9:14) for the temple and other buildings [MI”
- 2 Chronicles (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 2 Chronicles 8:2: 8:2 The twenty towns that Solomon had given Hiram in exchange for gold were unsatisfactory to Hiram (1 Kgs 9:11-14); this implies that Hiram gave them back to Solomon, who apparently provided other compensation.”
- 1 Kings (Methodist/Wesleyan) “Adam Clarke on 1 Kings 9:14: Sixscore talents of gold - This was the sum which Hiram had lent, and in order to pay this Solomon had laid a tax upon his people, as we afterward learn. The whole is very darkly expressed.”
- 1 Kings (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on 1 Kings 9:10: 9:10-14 In Solomon’s business agreement with King Hiram, he exchanged wheat and olive oil for timber and gold (5:10-11). When Solomon became indebted to Hiram, he gave him twenty towns in . . . Galilee as compensation. However, Hiram was dissatisfied with the towns, so he returned them to Solomon’s control (see 2 Chr 8:2). The two friends settled upon other means of compensation and remained active allies and trading partners (1 Kgs 9:26-28; 10:22).”
- 1 Kings (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 1 Kings 9:10: What agreement was made between Solomon and Hiram, when the building-work was to be begun, we read before, ch. 5. Here we have an account of their fair and friendly parting when the work was done. 1. Hiram made good his bargain to the utmost. He had furnished Solomon with materials for his buildings, according to all his desire (Kg1 9:11), and with gold, Kg1 9:15. So far was he from envying Solomon's growing greatness and reputation, and being jealous of him, that he helped to magnify him. Solomon's power, with Solomon's wisdom, needs not be dreaded by any of his”
- 1 Kings (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 Kings 9:13: And Hiram sent to the king one hundred and twenty talents of gold. Not after the cities had been given him, but before; and it may be rendered "had sent" (m), and is the sum of the gold he furnished him with for the temple, Kg1 9:11 which, according to Brerewood (n), was 540,000 pounds of our money; and, according to another (o) writer, it amounted to 1,466,400 ducats of gold, taking a talent at 12,220 ducats. (m) "miserat", Junius & Tremellius, Piscator. (n) De Ponderibus & Pretiis, Vet. Num. c. 5. (o) Scheuchzer. Physic. Sacr. vol. 3. p. 571.”
- 2 Chronicles (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on 2 Chronicles 9:13: HIS RICHES. (2Ch. 9:13-28) Now the weight of gold that came to Solomon in one year--(See on 1Ki. 10:14-29). six hundred and threescore and six talents of gold--The sum named is equal to £3,646,350; and if we take the proportion of silver (Ch2 9:14), which is not taken into consideration, at one to nine, there would be about £200,000, making a yearly supply of nearly £6,000,000, being a vast amount for an infant effort in maritime commerce [NAPIER].”