1 Kings 9:13

“And he said, etc.] By letter to him: what cities are these which thou hast given me, my brother? so he called him, being not only his neighbour, but his ally, in friendship and covenant with him; and this he said of them not by way of complaint, or contempt, as unworthy of his acceptance; for so munificent a prince as Solomon would never offer to a king to whom he was so much obliged anything mean and contemptible; but as being unsuitable to him, however valuable they might be in themselves, or of advantage to others: and he called them the land of Cabul unto this day; or rather the words should be rendered impersonally, “they were called so”; for Hiram could not call them by this name to…”

“Cabul is said to be a Phoenician word, and signified “displeasing” (see margin). There is some reason to believe that the cities thus despised by Hiram were restored to Solomon 2 Chronicles 8:2, and that Solomon rebuilt them and colonized them with Israelites. return to 'Top of Page'”

“Cabul - That is, of dirt, as most interpret it. Because, though the land was very good, yet being a thick and stiff clay, and therefore requiring great pains to manure it, it was very unsuitable to the disposition of the Tyrians, who were delicate, and lazy, and luxurious, and wholly given to merchandise. And on his returning them, there is no doubt but Solomon gave him an equivalent more to his taste. 3 Kings (1 Kings) 9:14”

“my brother: Kg1 5:1, Kg1 5:2; Amo 1:9 Cabul: that is, Displeasing, or dirty. Josephus says that Cabul, in the Phoenician language, signifies ουκ αρεσκον, displeasing; and that these cities were situated in the neighbourhood of Tyre. Most commentators are persuaded that the city Cabul in the tribe of Asher was one; and probably from this Hiram took occasion to give this name to all the other cities which Solomon had ceded to him. Jos 19:27 3 Kings (1 Kings) 9:14”