1 Kings 9:23

23 And five hundred and fifty princes were sovereigns over all the works of Solomon, the which princes had the people subject to them, and commanded to [the] works ordained (and were in charge of the ordained works).

1 Kings 9:23 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 9:23

These were the chief of the officers over Solomon's work
In building the above houses and cities:

five hundred and fifty which bore rule over the people that wrought
in the work;
in ( 2 Chronicles 8:10 ) they are said to be but two hundred and fifty; now it may be observed, as is by the Jewish writers, that there were three sorts of those rulers; the lowest rank and order of them consisted of 3300, the next of three hundred which were over the 3300, and being numbered with them made 3600, ( 2 Chronicles 2:18 ) and the highest rank of them were two hundred and fifty, and the middlemost and highest being joined together, as they are here, made five hundred and fifty. Abarbinel reconciles the places thus, the two hundred and fifty were only over those that wrought in the temple; and the five hundred and fifty here were those that were over such that were employed in the various parts of the kingdom.

1 Kings 9:23 In-Context

21 the sons of these heathen men, that dwelled in the land, that is, which the sons of Israel might not destroy. (the sons of these heathen, who continued to live in the land, that is, they whom the Israelites did not destroy.)

22 Soothly king Solomon ordained not any man of the sons of Israel to serve, that is, in vile works, and of the fields, but they were men of war, and servants of him, and princes, and dukes, and masters of his chariots and horses. (And King Solomon did not let any man of the Israelites serve in slavery, or in the fields, but they all were warriors, and his servants, and the leaders, and the masters, of his chariots and of his horsemen.)

23 And five hundred and fifty princes were sovereigns over all the works of Solomon, the which princes had the people subject to them, and commanded to [the] works ordained (and were in charge of the ordained works).

24 And the daughter of Pharaoh went up from the city of David into her house, which house Solomon had builded to her (which house Solomon had built for her); then he builded (the) Millo.

25 Also Solomon offered in three times by all years burnt sacrifices and peaceable sacrifices, on the altar which he had builded to the Lord; and he burnt incense before the Lord, and the temple was performed. (And three times each year Solomon offered burnt sacrifices and peace offerings, on the altar which he had built to the Lord, and he burned incense before the Lord. And so the Temple was completed.)