(REFLECTIONS ON 1 Kings 9:10-28)

Solomon was to walk with the Lord as David did, in integrity of heart and uprightness. However, in today’s Scripture, as we see Solomon giving Hiram king of Tyre twenty cities in the land of Galilee, Hiram’s response isn’t one of awe and glory for the beauty of the cities.

Instead, Hiram called the land Cabul. Cabul is Hebrew for “as good as nothing.” Although Solomon was to walk with the Lord as David did, instead of the Lord, we read more and more description of material things, cities, labor, trade, gold, etc. Yes, Solomon was building up a kingdom, but the question is, for whom?

Hiram’s comment, calling the land Cabul is spiritually significant and symbolic. It shows that although from the world’s standards, Solomon was building up something great, but what he was building up may have been “as good as nothing.”

It was a reminder and warning that what Solomon was building may have been great and mighty, but if it wasn’t built by walking with the Lord, that it may all be in vain. It was a warning to remember the Lord and not just build up a kingdom for political gain, material gain, and the riches of the world.

Brothers and sisters, the Lord is also calling us to walk with Him. He desires hearts of integrity and uprightness. We can spend years building careers, ministries, reputations, and accomplishments that appear impressive to others. Yet if what we build is not the fruit of abiding in Christ and walking with Him, what lasting value does it have?

The question is not merely whether we are building something great, but whether we are building what God desires. For one day all that is built will be tested. What is of the flesh will pass away, but what is built by the Spirit will remain.

What are we building? Does it merely look impressive in the eyes of man, or is it precious in the eyes of God? May we not spend our lives constructing Cabul, something that appears valuable for a moment, yet proves to be as good as nothing when measured against eternity.

The measure of our lives is not the greatness of what we build, but whether we have joined the Lord in building what He desires.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: 1 Kings 9