Tyre and Sidon; these were two coast towns in Phoenicia, famous, especially the former, for their 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. The king's chamberlain, or chief of his bed chamber. Desired peace, or begged pardon; there being no war yet begun. Their country was nourished by the king's country; 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 Judea; thus Solomon gave Hiram, king of Tyre, twenty thousand measures of wheat for his household, and twenty measures of pure oil yearly, 1 Kings 5:9,11; and long after that, they of Judah and Israel are said to have traded with their wheat in Tyre, Ezekiel 27:17.
Related Commentaries of Acts 12:20
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 king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country.