Acts 12:20

“And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon, etc.] Two cities on the sea coast, in the land of Phoenicia; with the inhabitants of which Herod was so enraged, that though he had not declared war against them, yet he had meditated it in his mind, and intended to do it at a proper time: what gave him this offence is not certain; that it should be for entertaining and concealing of Peter, when he made his escape, is without any foundation; and nothing but this following on that account, could ever occasion such a thought: but they came with one accord to him; the ambassadors from both cities united in an address to him, and joined in ways and means to reconcile him to them: and…”

“HEROD'S MISERABLE END--GROWING SUCCESS OF THE GOSPEL--BARNABAS AND SAUL RETURN TO ANTIOCH. (Act 12:20-25) Herod was . . . displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon--for some reason unknown; but the effect on their commercial relations made the latter glad to sue for peace. their country was nourished by the king's country--See Kg1 5:11; Ezr 3:7; Eze 27:17. Perhaps the famine (Act 11:28) made them the more urgent for reconciliation.”

“And Herod was highly displeased ... - Greek: “bore a hostile mind,” intending war. See the margin. The Greek word θυμομαχῶν thumomachōn does not occur elsewhere in the New Testament. It means to meditate war; to purpose war in the mind; or here, probably, to be enraged or angry at them. What was the cause of this hostility to the people of Tyre and Sidon is not mentioned, and conjecture is useless. It is not at all inconsistent, however, with the well known character of Herod. It was probably from some cause relating to commerce. Tyre and Sidon were under the Roman power, and had some shadow of liberty (Grotius), and it is probable that they might have embarrassed Herod in some of his…”

“Having gained Blastus - To their side, they sued for, and obtained peace - Reconciliation with Herod. And so the Christians of those parts were, by the providence of God, delivered from scarcity. Their country was nourished - Was provided with, corn, by the king's country - Thus Hiram also, king of Tyre, desired of Solomon food or corn for his household, Kg1 5:9. Acts 12:21”

“was highly displeased: or, bare an hostile mind intending war Tyre: Gen 10:15, Gen 10:19; Jos 19:29; Isa 23:1-4; Mat 11:21, Mat 11:22 but: Pro 17:14, Pro 20:18, Pro 25:8; Ecc 10:4; Isa 27:4, Isa 27:5; Luk 14:31, Luk 14:32 the king's chamberlain: Gr. that was over the king's bed-chamber because: Kg1 5:9-11; Ch2 2:10, Ch2 2:15; Ezr 3:7; Eze 27:17; Hos 2:8, Hos 2:9; Amo 4:6-9; Hag 1:8-11, Hag 2:16, Hag 2:17; Luk 16:8 Acts 12:22”