1 Kings 9:15-19

Solomon’s public works 9:15-19

Solomon was powerful enough to conscript laborers to build the Millo and a wall around Jerusalem. The Millo (lit. filling) evidently refers to the terraces on the east side of Mt. Zion (cf. 2 Samuel 5:9). Solomon enlarged these so they connected the City of David with the temple and palace site. He also expanded the wall that encircled the City of David so it included the temple and palace complex to the north thus doubling the size of the city (1 Kings 9:15).

Solomon also rebuilt and fortified three large strategic defense centers: Hazor in the North (cf. Joshua 11:1), Megiddo in the Jezreel Valley (cf. Joshua 17:11), and Gezer in the West (1 Kings 9:15). Lower Beth-horon stood on a major western approach route to Jerusalem. He also fortified Baalath (site uncertain) and Tamar, south of the Salt (Dead) Sea, in Judah, [Note: See Rudolph Cohen, "The Fortresses King Solomon Built to Protect His Southern Border," Biblical Archaeology Review 11:3 (May-June 1985):56-70; and idem., "Solomon’s Negev Defense Line Contained Three Fewer Fortresses," Biblical Archaeology Review 12:4 (July-August 1986):40-45.] and he strengthened other towns (2 Chronicles 8:2-6). Solomon developed these towns to defend Jerusalem and Israel and to control the major routes into and through his empire. [Note: Bright, p. 192.] Were these projects partially flawed by dependence on the flesh? Possibly they were. David had evidently built defensive border cities during his reign as well. [Note: Y. Aharoni, "The Building Activities of David and Solomon," Israel Exploration Journal 24:1 (1974):13-16.]