1 Kings 9:22

22 But Solomon did not make slaves of the Israelites. They were his soldiers, government leaders, officers, captains, chariot commanders, and drivers.

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 There were other people in the land who were not Israelites -- Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites.

21 They were descendants of people that the Israelites had not destroyed. Solomon forced them to work for him as slaves, as is still true today.

22 But Solomon did not make slaves of the Israelites. They were his soldiers, government leaders, officers, captains, chariot commanders, and drivers.

23 These were his most important officers over the work. There were five hundred fifty supervisors over the people who did the work on Solomon's projects.

24 The daughter of the king of Egypt moved from the old part of Jerusalem to the palace that Solomon had built for her. Then Solomon filled in the surrounding land.