1 Kings 9:21

21 survivors of the holy wars, were rounded up by Solomon for his gangs of slave labor, a policy still in effect.

1 Kings 9:21 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 9:21

Their children that were left after them in the land
The posterity of those left unsubdued in the times of Joshua:

whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy;
in later times, though now it is thought by some it was not for want of power, but because they had made a covenant with them, as the Gibeonites did, and therefore they could not, because it would have been a breach of covenant to have destroyed them; see ( 2 Chronicles 8:8 ) ,

upon these did Solomon levy a tribute of bond service unto this day;
not a tribute of money, which being poor they were not able to pay, but of service, and which being once laid on was continued, and even to the time of the writing of this book.

1 Kings 9:21 In-Context

19 storehouse villages, and villages for chariots and horses. Solomon built widely and extravagantly in Jerusalem, in Lebanon, and wherever he fancied.

20 The remnants from the original inhabitants of the land (Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites - all non-Israelites),

21 survivors of the holy wars, were rounded up by Solomon for his gangs of slave labor, a policy still in effect.

22 But true Israelites were not treated this way; they were used in his army and administration - government leaders and commanders of his chariots and charioteers.

23 They were also the project managers responsible for Solomon's building operations - 550 of them in charge of the workforce.