1 Kings 9 22

1 Kings 9:22 kjv

But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen: but they were men of war, and his servants, and his princes, and his captains, and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen.

1 Kings 9:22 nkjv

But of the children of Israel Solomon made no forced laborers, because they were men of war and his servants: his officers, his captains, commanders of his chariots, and his cavalry.

1 Kings 9:22 niv

But Solomon did not make slaves of any of the Israelites; they were his fighting men, his government officials, his officers, his captains, and the commanders of his chariots and charioteers.

1 Kings 9:22 esv

But of the people of Israel Solomon made no slaves. They were the soldiers, they were his officials, his commanders, his captains, his chariot commanders and his horsemen.

1 Kings 9:22 nlt

But Solomon did not conscript any of the Israelites for forced labor. Instead, he assigned them to serve as fighting men, government officials, officers and captains in his army, commanders of his chariots, and charioteers.

1 Kings 9 verses

1 Kings 9 22 Meaning

This verse specifies the distinct status of the Israelites within King Solomon's vast administrative and building projects. Unlike the foreign populations whom Solomon conscripted into forced, lifelong labor ("bondmen"), the Israelites were not subjected to such enslavement. Instead, they served in esteemed and strategic roles within the kingdom, functioning as military personnel, royal officials, princes, high-ranking officers, and commanders of his elite chariot forces and cavalry. This highlights a deliberate adherence to the Mosaic Law regarding the status of the covenant people.

1 Kings 9 22 Context

1 Kings chapter 9 primarily describes Solomon's major building projects (Temple, his palace, fortifications) and his subsequent economic activities, including trade, military expansion (chariots and horsemen), and naval enterprises. Verses 15-19 enumerate cities he built or fortified. Importantly, the immediate preceding verses (1 Kgs 9:20-21) explicitly state that Solomon subjected the remnants of the non-Israelite populations (Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites) to forced labor. This verse (1 Kgs 9:22) acts as a crucial contrast, highlighting Solomon's different treatment of his own people, the Israelites. It confirms that despite the king's grand projects and growing power, a foundational tenet of Israel's covenant identity – freedom from chattel slavery among their own brethren – was (at least in principle and in terms of legal status) maintained. However, it's worth noting that later verses (e.g., 1 Kgs 12:4, in the reign of Rehoboam) imply Solomon's later "heavy yoke" may have encompassed some form of onerous labor on the Israelites, leading to national division. This specific verse, however, assures that they were not categorized as "bondmen" (עֶבֶד, 'eved), but held specific, functional, and often elevated roles.

1 Kings 9 22 Word analysis

• But of the children of Israel (וּמִבְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל, `u-mi-bĕ-nê yiśrā’ēl`): This phrase specifically points out the descendants of Jacob (Israel), emphasizing their unique identity as the covenant people of God. The prepositive "But" introduces a stark contrast with the preceding verses concerning foreign labor. Their lineage and covenant status afford them a distinct privilege.
• did Solomon make no bondmen (לֹא נָתַן שְׁלֹמֹה עָבֶד, `lo' nathan shĕlomoh ʿaved`):
  • "no" (לֹא, `lo`): A strong negation, definitively stating that this type of action was not taken towards Israelites.
  • "bondmen" (עָבֶד, `ʿaved`): This noun refers to a "slave" or "servant," but in the context of chattel slavery, particularly lifelong forced labor without recompense or possibility of freedom, such as that imposed on foreigners in 1 Kgs 9:20-21. This contrasts with the concept of temporary servitude for debt or as a hired hand, permitted for Israelites under Mosaic Law. The phrase assures that Solomon adhered to the biblical prohibition against making Israelites permanent bondmen, upholding the divine declaration that Israel was "God's servants" freed from Egypt (Lev 25:42).
• but they were (כִּי הֵמָּה, `ki hemmāh`): Introduces the actual roles and status of the Israelites, differentiating them from forced labor.
• men of war (אַנְשֵׁי הַמִּלְחָמָה, `'anshey hammilchamah`): Denotes their service in the military, a position of honor and active participation in the nation's defense and expansion, rather than forced menial labor.
• and his servants (וַעֲבָדָיו, `waʿăvadav`): Here, the term `ʿăvadav` (from `ʿeved`, but in a different grammatical and contextual form) refers to royal officials, administrators, and those in the king's personal service. This form signifies a position of appointment and trust, a form of honorable service to the monarch, distinct from the pejorative "bondmen" used earlier for chattel slaves.
• and his princes (וְשָׂרָיו, `vĕsarav`): Signifies high-ranking officials, ministers, or provincial governors, positions of authority and significant influence within the kingdom's governance.
• and his captains (וְשָׁלִישָׁיו, `vĕshalishav`): Literally "his third ones," likely refers to a class of high-ranking military officers, possibly commanders of a specific unit (e.g., chariot division) or aides-de-camp to the king, often signifying prestige and power.
• and rulers of his chariots (וְשָׂרֵי רִכְבּוֹ, `vĕsarê rikbo`): Specific military commanders in charge of Solomon's vast chariot forces. Chariots were a premier military technology of the age, and commanding them was a vital and respected role.
• and his horsemen (וּפָרָשָׁיו, `upharashav`): Cavalry forces, indicating leadership or participation in mounted units, which also constituted an elite military component.
• Words-group Analysis (Roles of Israelites): The comprehensive list of roles – "men of war, and his servants, and his princes, and his captains, and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen" – demonstrates that Israelites held various positions of authority, responsibility, and honor across the military and administrative sectors of Solomon's government. This highlights their privileged status compared to the foreign populations and underscores their participation in building and maintaining the kingdom from positions of strength and loyalty. This arrangement affirmed the covenant ideal of Israel as a distinct people, not to be enslaved among themselves.

1 Kings 9 22 Bonus section

This verse can be seen as an expression of theological continuity, reinforcing God's earlier decree in Lev 25:42 that "they are My servants whom I brought out of the land of Egypt; they shall not be sold as slaves." Solomon's compliance with this principle, at least in defining their legal status, acknowledged Israel's unique relationship with God as His redeemed people, preventing their reversion to a state reminiscent of Egyptian bondage. This distinction not only showcased adherence to divine law but also presented a contrast to surrounding ancient Near Eastern monarchies where a ruler might enslave segments of their own populace for massive building projects. Furthermore, while Israelites were exempt from being bondmen, they were subject to Solomon's royal levy (מס, mas), a form of structured corvée labor (1 Kgs 5:13), but crucially, not permanent, dehumanizing servitude. The roles outlined in 1 Kings 9:22 reflect a functional hierarchy and participation in nation-building, highlighting a commitment to a foundational covenant principle amidst the expansion of royal power.

1 Kings 9 22 Commentary

1 Kings 9:22 serves as a pivotal statement regarding Solomon's adherence to the Mosaic Law concerning the people of Israel. While he conscripted vast numbers of non-Israelites into harsh, permanent forced labor for his ambitious building projects, he consciously differentiated the treatment of his own people. This verse confirms that Israelites were not subjected to the status of "bondmen" (i.e., chattel slavery), which was forbidden for fellow Israelites under the Law (Lev 25:39-46). Instead, they held various, often high-ranking, positions within his military and civil administration. This includes roles like soldiers, royal administrators, government officials, and military commanders for the chariots and cavalry. The text thereby underscores the distinct identity of Israel as YHWH's covenant people, even under the monarchy. Though Solomon’s demands on his people eventually became a "heavy yoke" (1 Kgs 12:4) and a contributing factor to the kingdom's division, this specific verse ensures that their legal status as a redeemed people was maintained in principle, distinct from the forced servitude imposed on others. This demonstrated a measure of kingly respect for divine law in relation to the unique position of Israel.