1 Kings 9:15-23 | The Way of Scripture

1 Kings 9:15-23

Who carries the burden of Solomon’s building projects?

Berean Standard Bible

15 This is the account of the forced labor that King Solomon imposed to build the house of the LORD, his own palace, the supporting terraces, and the wall of Jerusalem, as well as Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer. 16 Pharaoh king of Egypt had attacked and captured Gezer. He had set it on fire, killed the Canaanites who lived in the city, and given it as a dowry to his daughter, Solomon’s wife. 17 So Solomon rebuilt Gezer, Lower Beth-horon, 18 Baalath, and Tamar in the Wilderness of Judah, 19 as well as all the store cities that Solomon had for his chariots and horses —whatever he desired to build in Jerusalem, Lebanon, and throughout the land of his dominion.
20 As for all the people who remained of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites (the people who were not Israelites)— 21 their descendants who remained in the land, those whom the Israelites were unable to devote to destruction—Solomon conscripted these people to be forced laborers, as they are to this day. 22 But Solomon did not consign any of the Israelites to slavery, because they were his men of war, his servants, his officers, his captains, and the commanders of his chariots and cavalry. 23 They were also the chief officers over Solomon’s projects: 550 supervisors over the people who did the work.

What is the context?

The account lists the work supported by Solomon’s labor force: the temple, palace, supporting terraces, Jerusalem’s wall, rebuilt towns and storage facilities for chariots and horses. Gezer comes into his possession after Pharaoh captures it and gives it as a dowry to his daughter.

Descendants of the remaining Canaanite peoples are conscripted as forced laborers. The passage distinguishes their status from that of the Israelites, who serve as soldiers, royal officials and commanders. Five hundred fifty supervisors oversee the work.

This distinction should be read alongside 1 Kings 5:13–14, which already described an Israelite labor levy working in rotations. Saying that Solomon did not make Israelites slaves does not mean that no Israelite had to perform compulsory work.

How is this passage commonly understood?

Wesley and Gill distinguish the continuing servitude imposed on the remaining peoples from the service of the Israelites. Gill also connects the wider levy with the men and resources needed for Solomon’s projects.

Henry emphasizes the prosperity and building achievements in the account. Reading the labor details alongside those achievements keeps both parts visible: the kingdom’s expansion depends on people bearing its workload.

The narrative describes how the projects are accomplished. It does not make every treatment of laborers a model for later rulers or employers.

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We don't have a position on this passage yet. When our study reaches a conclusion the text supports, it will appear here.

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