1 Kings 9:22

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 9:15-28

We have here a further account of Solomon's greatness. I. His buildings. He raised a great levy both of men and money, because he projected a great deal of building, which would both employ many hands and put him to a vast expense, 1 Kgs. 9:15. And he was a wise builder, who sat down first, and counted the cost, and would not begin to build till he found himself able to finish. Perhaps there was some complaint of the heaviness of the taxes, which the historian excuses from the greatness of his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 9:22

But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen ,.... For that was contrary to the law; they might be hired servants, but not bond servants, Leviticus 25:39 . but they were men of war ; which he kept in pay, a standing army, maintained even in time of peace, in case of necessity, should an enemy attempt to invade or surprise them: and his servants ; in his family and court, who had offices and employments there: and his princes ; ministers of state, counsellors,... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 9:22

But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen [see however 1 Kings 5:13 , 1 Kings 5:18 . This service, though compulsory, was not servile. Bondage was forbidden Le 25:39. The levy were treated as hired servants and had wages]; but they were men of war, and his servants [cf. 1 Kings 1:9 . Not only "officials of the war department" (Bähr) but officers of every kind], and his princes [these were the heads both of the military and civil services], and his captains [Heb. ... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 9:22

Comparing this with 1 Kings 5:13-14, it would seem that a modified service of forced labor for one-third of each year was not regarded as reducing those who were subject to it to the condition of bondmen. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 9:22-23

1 Kings 9:22-23. Of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bond-men He spared them, and did not employ them in any servile labours about his public works, but put them into nobler offices, as it here follows. They were men of war Which was accounted an honourable employment. And his servants Officers in his court. And his princes Governors of provinces. And his captains, &c. Commanders of his guards. Five hundred and fifty In 2 Chronicles 8:10, they are said to be but two... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 9:10-25

Building development in other cities (9:10-25)Earlier Solomon had borrowed from Hiram about four thousand kilograms of gold to help finance his ambitious building programs. In payment of these debts, Solomon gave Hiram twenty cities in northern Israel. Hiram was not satisfied with these cities and returned them (which meant that Solomon had to look for other ways to repay the loan) (10-14; see 2 Chronicles 8:1-2).To strengthen Jerusalem’s security, Solomon rebuilt the Millo (some sort of... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Kings 9:22

make no bondmen. According to Leviticus 25:39 . The levy, of 1 Kings 5:13 ; 1 Kings 11:28 , was a levy for free service. This was for bondservice (1 Kings 9:21 ). and. Note the Figure of speech Polysyndeton ( App-6 ) in this verse. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Kings 9:1-28

D. The Fruits of Solomon’s Reign chs. 9-11The writer next recorded what happened to Solomon and to Israel as a result of the king’s provision to exalt the reputation of Yahweh among His people. He narrated God’s covenant with Solomon (1 Kings 9:1-9), further evidences of Yahweh’s blessing (1 Kings 9:10-28), Solomon’s greatness (ch. 10), and Solomon’s apostasy (ch. 11). read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Kings 9:10-28

2. Further evidences of God’s blessing 9:10-28Somewhat after the mid-point of Solomon’s 40-year reign, God was blessing him for his faithfulness. What the writer described in this section took place after Solomon had completed his major building projects in Jerusalem, which took about 20 years. read more

Thomas Constable

Expository Notes of Dr. Thomas Constable - 1 Kings 9:20-23

Solomon’s forced labor 9:20-23Solomon put the defeated native Canaanites to work on government projects (cf. Genesis 9:25-26). Nevertheless this plan proved to be a source of major dissatisfaction in Israel (cf. 1 Kings 12:4). There was a distinction in Solomon’s day between Israelites whom the king conscripted for temporary service and non-Israelites who were permanent slave laborers. The former served as military supervisors over civil forced labor gangs, for example. The latter were the... read more

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