Matthew Poole and continuators on Acts 12:20

20 ¶ And Herod was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and having made Blastus the kings chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their countrey was nourished by the king[illegible: 1 letter] countrey.

These were two coast Towns in Phenicia; famous, especially the former, for her great trading; and being rich, might be insolent, or possibly might tempt Herod to a war against them, whose conquest would pay the charge of it.

Or chief of his Bed-chamber: or begged pardon; there being no war yet begun.

These Cities lying upon the Sea, had little land belonging to them, and of old were forced to have their provision from other places, especially from Iudea; thus Solomon gave Hiram (King of Tyre) twenty thousand measures of wheat for his houshold, and twenty measures of pure oil yearly, 1 Kings 5.9, 11. and long after that, they of Iudah and Israel are said to have traded with their wheat in Tyre, Ezek. 27.17.

Marginal references: Or, But [illegible: 1 word] hostile mind, intending [illegible: 1 word]; Gr. That was over the King[illegible: 1 letter] bed-ch[illegible: 2 letters]ber.