1 Kings 9:22

22 But from the {Israelites} Solomon did not make a slave, but they [were] the men of war, his officers, his commanders, his captains, and the commanders of his chariots and his cavalry.

1 Kings 9:22 Meaning and Commentary

1 Kings 9:22

But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen,
&c.] For that was contrary to the law; they might be hired servants, but not bond servants, ( Leviticus 25:39 Leviticus 25:40 )

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, governors of cities, &c.

and his captains;
officers in his army:

and rulers of his chariots and his horsemen;
war chariots and troopers; see ( 1 Kings 9:19 ) .

1 Kings 9:22 In-Context

20 All of the people who were remaining from the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites who [were] not of the {Israelites},

21 their children who remained after them in the land, whom the {Israelites} were not able to completely destroy, Solomon conscripted them for forced labor, until this very day.

22 But from the {Israelites} Solomon did not make a slave, but they [were] the men of war, his officers, his commanders, his captains, and the commanders of his chariots and his cavalry.

23 These [were] the commanders of the overseers who [were] over the work for Solomon, five hundred and fifty, ruling over the people doing the work.

24 As soon as the daughter of Pharaoh went up from the city of David to her house which he built for her, then he built the Millo.

Footnotes

• [a] Literally "sons/children of Israel"