SECT. II. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, A Coast.
TO determine concerning 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 the coasts of Tyre and Sidon in this story, we first propound this to the Reader. It is said 1 King. IX. 11, 12. That Solomon gave to Chiram the King of the Tyrians twenty Cities in Galilee: which when he had seen, and liked them not, he called the Land 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Chabul unto this day. The LXX render it, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. He called them the border, or coast. Now let any one, I beseech you, skilled in the Tongues, tell me what kin there is between 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 and 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 A bound, or coast, that moved the LXX so to render it.
The Talmudists speak various things of the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Chabul: but the sense and sig∣nification of the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, A coast, is very far distant from their meaning. The Jerusalem Talmudists speak thus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a 1.1 Chabul signifies a Land, which bears not fruit: The Babylonian thus; b 1.2 What is the meaning of the Land Chabul? Rabh Honna saith, Because its Inhabitants 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 were wrapped up in silver and gold. Abba saith to him, Is it so? Behold it is written, That the Cities pleased him not. Should they displease him, because they were wrapped up in silver and gold? He saith to him, Yea, because they were wealthy and delicate, they were not fit for the Kings works. Rabh Nachman bar Isaac saith 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 It was a salt Land, and gaping with clefts. Why is it called Chabul? 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 Because the Leg is plunged in it up to the garters. Josephus thus, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. Outwards they called it the Land of Chabal: for this word Chabal being interpreted signifies in the Phenician Tongue, that which pleas∣eth not.
These things they speak, tracing the sense of the word, as well as they can; but of the sense of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 a bound, or coast, they did not so much as dream.
I cannot pass away without taking notice of the Glosser at the place, cited out of the Babylonian Talmudists, having these words; 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Text alledged speaks of twenty two Cities, which Solomon gave to Chiram: he reckons two and twenty, when in the Hebrew Original and in all Versions, twenty Cities only are mentioned. Whether it be a failing of the memory, or whether he speaks it on purpose, who is able to define? Much less are those words of the Holy Ghost to be passed over, 2 Chron. VIII. 2. 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 The Grammatical interpretation is very easie, And the Cities which Churam gave to Solomon, Solomon built them: but the historical interpretation is not so easie. For it is demanded, Whether did Chiram give those Cities of his own; or did he restore them, which Solomon gave to him, when they pleased him not? And there are some Versions, which render the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 not, he gave, but he re∣stored, or gave back again; and in this sense, Solomon built the Cities, which Chiram had restored back to Solomon. As if Hiram would not keep those twenty Cities in the Land Chabul, because they displeased him, but restored them back to Solomon in some in∣dignation.
Kimchi on the place more rightly, It is very well expounded, that Hiram gave Cities to Solomon in his own Land; and he placed Israelites there to strengthen himself. And he in like manner gave Cities to Hiram in Galilee; and that to strengthen the league between them. In the book of the Kings it is recorded, what Solomon gave to Hiram; and in this (of the Chronicles) what Hiram gave to Solomon. Most true indeed: for that Hiram gave to Solomon some Cities in his jurisdiction, appears beyond all controversie from thence, that Solomon is said to build Tadmor in the wilderness, 1 King. IX. 18. But what is that place Tadmor? Josephus will teach us: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. c 1.3 Thada∣mor, saith he, the Greeks call Palmyra. And the Vulgar Interpreters read, He built Pal∣mira. Therefore we must by no means think, that Hiram rejected the Cities that were given him by Solomon, however they pleased him not; but kept them for his own, which Solomon also did with them, which Hiram gave to him.