1 Kings 9:17 kjv
And Solomon built Gezer, and Bethhoron the nether,
1 Kings 9:17 nkjv
And Solomon built Gezer, Lower Beth Horon,
1 Kings 9:17 niv
And Solomon rebuilt Gezer.) He built up Lower Beth Horon,
1 Kings 9:17 esv
so Solomon rebuilt Gezer) and Lower Beth-horon
1 Kings 9:17 nlt
So Solomon rebuilt the city of Gezer.) He also built up the towns of Lower Beth-horon,
1 Kings 9 17 Cross References
| Verse | Text | Reference |
|---|---|---|
| 1 Ki 9:15 | "This is the account of the forced labor that King Solomon drafted to build the house of the Lord and his own house... and the wall of Jerusalem, Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer." | Solomon's broader building projects |
| 1 Ki 9:16 | "Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up and captured Gezer... and had given it as dowry to his daughter, Solomon’s wife." | Source of Gezer, international relations |
| 1 Ki 9:18-19 | "and Baalath, and all the store-cities that Solomon had, and all the cities for his chariots..." | Continuation of Solomon's building program |
| 2 Chr 8:1-6 | Parallel account of Solomon's building of Gezer, Beth-horon, Baalath, and other cities. | Confirms and expands on these building acts |
| Josh 16:3 | Mentions Gezer and Beth-horon as border cities. | Ancient strategic importance of these sites |
| Josh 16:5 | Describes the border of the Ephraimites passing by Upper Beth-horon. | Locational context for Beth-horon |
| Josh 21:21 | Gezer and Beth-horon were Levitical cities. | Priestly towns, likely with fortifiable elements |
| 1 Chr 6:67 | Lists Gezer as a city given to the Kohathites. | Gezer's tribal and spiritual significance |
| Judg 1:29 | Ephraim did not drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer. | Prior lack of Israelite control over Gezer |
| 1 Chr 7:28 | Describes the dwelling places of the children of Ephraim, including Gezer and Beth-horon. | Regional context for these cities |
| Josh 10:10-11 | Lord strikes down Canaanites at the ascent of Beth-horon during Joshua's battle. | Beth-horon as a key battleground ascent |
| 2 Chr 8:5 | "He built Upper Beth-horon and Lower Beth-horon, fortified cities with walls, gates, and bars..." | Specifics of Beth-horon fortifications |
| Ps 127:1 | "Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain." | Theological perspective on building |
| Ecc 3:3 | "a time to break down, and a time to build up..." | Divine ordering of all actions, including building |
| Gen 11:4 | Account of building the Tower of Babel. | Contrast of building with human ambition |
| Isa 2:2 | "it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains..." | Prophetic vision of divine building |
| Acts 7:47-49 | "But Solomon built him a house." referencing God dwelling in temples. | Solomon's primary building (Temple) |
| Heb 3:3-4 | "For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God." | Ultimate builder is God |
| Prov 24:3-4 | "By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled..." | Wisdom in building and administration |
| 1 Ki 10:26 | Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen, storing them in specific cities. | Cities like Baalath served as chariot cities |
| Deut 20:19 | Law regarding besieging fortified cities. | Background for fortifying cities |
| Neh 2:17 | Nehemiah encouraging rebuilding Jerusalem's walls. | Subsequent focus on rebuilding fortified cities |
1 Kings 9 verses
1 Kings 9 17 Meaning
1 Kings 9:17 details a specific aspect of King Solomon's extensive building program: his construction and fortification of three strategic cities—Gezer, Beth-horon the Nether (Lower Beth-horon), and Baalath. This verse highlights Solomon's focus on securing and strengthening his kingdom's infrastructure, particularly in key defensive and trade locations.
1 Kings 9 17 Context
This verse appears within a section of 1 Kings detailing Solomon's great accomplishments after the dedication of the Temple and his palace, which collectively took 20 years to build (1 Ki 9:10). Following God's renewed covenant and warning to Solomon (1 Ki 9:1-9), the narrative shifts to Solomon's kingdom management and extensive building projects. Verse 17 specifically lists three cities among a broader collection of strategic sites, store-cities, and chariot-cities that Solomon either founded, fortified, or rebuilt (1 Ki 9:15-19). This strategic development was crucial for securing the borders, protecting trade routes, and providing military garrisons for the powerful Solomonic kingdom. Historically, Gezer was a strategically vital Canaanite city located at a junction controlling key routes. It had recently been conquered by an Egyptian Pharaoh and given as a dowry to his daughter when she married Solomon, making its rebuilding and fortification a priority. Beth-horon the Nether, along with Upper Beth-horon, commanded an important pass from the coastal plain to the central hill country. Baalath was likely another city of military significance, possibly associated with chariot forces.
1 Kings 9 17 Word analysis
- And: The Hebrew conjunction וְ (ve) simply links this statement to the preceding context of Solomon's activities.
- Solomon: שְׁלֹמֹה (Shlomo). The Hebrew name means "peaceful" or "his peace." Son of David, renowned for wisdom and the king during Israel's peak of wealth, power, and building projects. His personal leadership and vast resources are implied in this act of building.
- built: בָּנָה (banah). This verb means "to build, construct, rebuild, restore." It signifies a substantial act of creation or major restoration. Given that Gezer was acquired from Egypt and likely devastated, "built" implies a comprehensive reconstruction and fortification rather than simple maintenance. For the other cities, it indicates strengthening existing structures into fortified points.
- Gezer: גֶּזֶר (Gezer). An ancient and strategically important city in the Shephelah (foothills) that commanded the Coastal Plain and the ascent to Jerusalem. It was one of the three major fortress cities mentioned along with Hazor and Megiddo, indicating its vital role in Solomon's defense system. It was burned by Pharaoh before being given to Solomon (1 Ki 9:16), making its rebuilding a significant act.
- and Beth-horon: וּבֵית חוֹרוֹן (u-Veit Choron). "House of Horon." Horon was a Canaanite god. This name indicates its Canaanite origin. It represents a key pass from the coastal plain to the central highlands, making it a critical choke point for defense. There were two Beth-horons, upper and lower.
- the nether: תַּחְתּוֹן (tachton). Means "lower" or "nether." It distinguishes this city from Upper Beth-horon (בֵּית חוֹרוֹן עֶלְיוֹן, Beit Choron Elyon). Both were fortified by Solomon (2 Chr 8:5), signifying the complete control of this crucial route.
- and Baalath: וּבַעֲלָת (u-Baalath). The name can mean "mistress" or "lady" and often indicates a place where Baal was worshipped. Its precise location is debated among scholars but is generally considered to be in the southwestern region, possibly related to chariot cities (1 Ki 9:18), further indicating its strategic military significance within Solomon's defense and logistical network.
- "Solomon built Gezer, and Beth-horon the nether, and Baalath": This phrase encapsulates a strategic vision. The mention of these three cities together underscores Solomon's systematic approach to national security. They form a defensive perimeter protecting the approaches to Jerusalem and controlling vital arteries for trade and movement within his kingdom. These cities were not just built, but fortified, equipped for defense and likely housing garrisons or supply depots, reflecting Solomon's extensive military and logistical planning.
1 Kings 9 17 Bonus section
Archaeological excavations at sites like Gezer, Megiddo, and Hazor have yielded evidence of monumental Solomonic building, often including characteristic casemate walls and distinctive four-chambered gates. While these architectural styles are associated with Solomon's building, pinpointing precise direct attribution to this verse's specific "building" at Gezer is part of ongoing archaeological discourse. The mention of Pharaoh's role in delivering Gezer to Solomon in verse 16 highlights the strong international diplomacy and strategic alliances during Solomon's reign, marking a shift from earlier periods of constant conflict. The choice of these particular cities for fortification also demonstrates Solomon's awareness of the land's topography and its historical points of military vulnerability and control, previously significant during the Israelite conquest and judges periods.
1 Kings 9 17 Commentary
1 Kings 9:17 serves as a concise summary of King Solomon's strategic building endeavors beyond the iconic Temple and his palace. The emphasis on Gezer, Lower Beth-horon, and Baalath highlights his understanding of geopolitical necessity. These cities were not random constructions; they formed a critical network of fortified outposts. Gezer controlled the coastal route, a vital international trade artery and military passage. Beth-horon the Nether secured a pivotal ascent to the central plateau, guarding the western approach to Jerusalem. Baalath, though its exact purpose varies in scholarly interpretation, likely completed this defensive and logistical triangle, potentially serving as a chariot city. Solomon's extensive use of resources for these fortifications underscores his consolidation of power and a sophisticated defense policy aimed at protecting his flourishing kingdom, which was marked by peace and prosperity but also required active safeguarding against potential threats and for controlling key economic avenues. This era was characterized by the establishment of robust state infrastructure.