On the boundary of Asher (Joshua 19:27). Solomon gave to Hiram a district containing 20 cities, Cabal included. Not liking the district, Hiram said, "What, kind of cities are these?" and called the whole from the one city Cabul, which in Phoenician means displeasing (1 Kings 9:13). From 2 Chronicles 8:2 it seems that Hiram restored the 20 cities. The district was "Galilee of the Gentiles" (Isaiah 9:1), i.e. the N. part of Galilee, only in part occupied by Israel, more completely so after Hiram restored the cities. Tiglath Pileser carried the inhabitants captive to Assyria (2 Kings 15:29). The cities were occupied chiefly by Canaanite pagans (2 Samuel 24:7), and were in a bad condition. Gesenius explains Cabul "the pawned land." Solomon borrowed sixscore talents of gold from Hiram for his extensive buildings, and gave the 20 cities as an equivalent. But on Hiram expressing dissatisfaction with them, he took them back, and, doubtless in course of time, repaid the gold.
From the co-author of the classic Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary, Fausset's Bible Dictionary stands as one of the best single-volume Bible encyclopedias ever written for general use. The author's writing style is always clear and concise, and he tackles issues important to the average student of the Bible, not just the Biblical scholars. This makes Fausset an excellent tool for both everyday Bible study and in-depth lesson or sermon preparation.Wikipedia
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