1 Kings 9:10-14: a reflection

10At the end of twenty years, in which Solomon had built the two houses, the LORD’s house and the king’s house 11(now Hiram the king of Tyre had furnished Solomon with cedar trees and cypress trees, and with gold, according to all his desire), King Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in the land of Galilee. 12Hiram came out of Tyre to see the cities which Solomon had given him; and they didn’t please him. 13He said, “What cities are these which you have given me, my brother?” He called them the land of Cabul to this day. 14Hiram sent to the king one hundred twenty talents of gold.

After Solomon and Hiram had cooperated for years in building the temple, Solomon gives Hiram twenty cities as a gift. But the cities do not please Hiram; he calls them, dismissively, the land of Cabul. The gift, meant well, disappointed the one who received it. Even between these two who had worked together so long and well, there was a moment when a gift given did not satisfy, and the response was not what Solomon might have hoped.

Notice that even a well-meant gift disappointed. Solomon gave Hiram cities, presumably intending it as a generous gift; but they did not please Hiram, who dismissed them. The gift, whatever Solomon's intention, did not satisfy the one who received it. Even in a good and long partnership, a gift or effort could fall short of the other's expectation, and be received with disappointment rather than gratitude. Not everything we give or do will please others, even when we mean well.

That is worth remembering, for we cannot always control how our gifts and efforts are received. We may give, act, and do our best with good intention, and yet find that what we give or do does not please or satisfy the other, is received with disappointment rather than gratitude. This can be discouraging, tempting us to think we have failed. But even Solomon's gift disappointed Hiram; we cannot always control how others receive what we give or do. Do your part with good intention, give and act rightly and generously; but do not be crushed when what you give or do is not received as you hoped. The response of others is not fully in your control; you can give and act rightly, but you cannot guarantee it will please. Do what is right and generous, as best you can, and leave the response to others and to God, rather than being discouraged when your well-meant gifts and efforts do not always satisfy, as even Solomon's gift did not satisfy Hiram.

Lord, after Solomon and Hiram had cooperated for years in building the temple, Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities as a gift; but they did not please Hiram, who dismissed them. The gift, meant well, disappointed the one who received it. Even in a good and long partnership, a gift given did not satisfy. Show me that even a well-meant gift disappointed. Solomon gave, presumably intending generosity; but the gift did not please Hiram. Not everything I give or do will please others, even when I mean well. Help me remember that, for I cannot always control how my gifts and efforts are received. I may give, act, and do my best with good intention, and yet find that what I give or do does not please or satisfy the other, is received with disappointment rather than gratitude. This can be discouraging, tempting me to think I have failed. But even Solomon's gift disappointed Hiram; I cannot always control how others receive what I give or do. Help me do my part with good intention, giving and acting rightly and generously; but keep me from being crushed when what I give or do is not received as I hoped. The response of others is not fully in my control. Help me do what is right and generous, as best I can, Lord, and leave the response to others and to you, rather than being discouraged when my well-meant gifts and efforts do not always satisfy.