2 Chronicles 8 9

2 Chronicles 8:9 kjv

But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no servants for his work; but they were men of war, and chief of his captains, and captains of his chariots and horsemen.

2 Chronicles 8:9 nkjv

But Solomon did not make the children of Israel servants for his work. Some were men of war, captains of his officers, captains of his chariots, and his cavalry.

2 Chronicles 8:9 niv

But Solomon did not make slaves of the Israelites for his work; they were his fighting men, commanders of his captains, and commanders of his chariots and charioteers.

2 Chronicles 8:9 esv

But of the people of Israel Solomon made no slaves for his work; they were soldiers, and his officers, the commanders of his chariots, and his horsemen.

2 Chronicles 8:9 nlt

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

2 Chronicles 8 verses

2 Chronicles 8 9 Meaning

King Solomon, in his extensive kingdom-building efforts, did not compel the native Israelites into any form of forced labor or servitude for his grand projects. Instead, they were employed in honorable and essential roles within his military and governmental structure, serving as men of war, chief officers, commanders of his chariot divisions, and horsemen. This distinction highlighted the Israelites' privileged and divinely ordained status compared to the foreign peoples subjected to tribute and labor, as described in the preceding verses.

2 Chronicles 8 9 Context

Chapter 8 of 2 Chronicles details the various building projects and organizational structures established by King Solomon after completing the temple and his palace. The preceding verses (2 Chron 8:1-6) enumerate the cities Solomon fortified and built, including cities given to him by Hiram, King of Tyre. Verses 7 and 8 explicitly state that the vast labor force used for these monumental tasks, including conscripted laborers and tribute, was drawn from the remaining non-Israelite populations (Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, Jebusites) whom Israel had not utterly destroyed. Verse 9 serves as a direct, crucial contrast, specifying the distinct and privileged status of the native Israelites, emphasizing their roles of honor and military service rather than forced labor. This verse underscores the Chronicler's concern for covenant integrity and Israel's unique standing.

2 Chronicles 8 9 Word analysis

• "But of the children of Israel": This phrase directly introduces a sharp contrast to the non-Israelite peoples mentioned in verses 7 and 8, highlighting a clear distinction in their treatment and status within Solomon's kingdom.

• "did Solomon make no servants for his work":

  • "make no servants" (לֹא־נָתַן שְׁלֹמֹה עֶבֶד, lo-natan Shlomo eved): Literally "did not give Solomon a servant" or "did not make Solomon a servant." The term עֶבֶד (eved) can mean "servant" or "slave." In this context, combined with לִמְלַאכְתּוֹ (for his work), it refers to someone subject to corvée, or forced tributary labor, implying a status akin to bondservant. The explicit negation לֹא (no/not) is key; it strongly affirms that Israelites were exempt from this specific type of hard, tribute-based labor.

• "but they were men of war" (כִּי הֵמָּה אַנְשֵׁי הַמִּלְחָמָה, ki hemma anshei ha-milchamah): "But they themselves were men of war." The כִּי (ki) introduces an emphatic counter-statement or explanation. הֵמָּה (hemma) is an emphatic pronoun, underscoring "they themselves" rather than others. This signifies Israelites occupied esteemed and vital military roles, rather than common physical labor.

• "and chief of his captains" (וְשָׂרֵי שָׁלִשָׁיו, v'sarei shalishav): שָׂרֵי (sarei) means "chiefs" or "officers." שָׁלִשׁ (shalish), from שָׁלֹשׁ (shalosh, meaning three), can refer to a "third man" on a chariot (often an elite warrior or adjutant) or generally a "high-ranking officer" or "prince/chief captain." This indicates a position of significant military authority and trust.

• "and rulers of his chariots" (וְשָׂרֵי רַכְבּוֹ, v'sarei rakbo): Clearly identifies their roles as commanding the elite chariot corps, which was a formidable and prestigious component of ancient armies. Chariot divisions required skilled commanders.

• "and his horsemen" (וּפָרָשָׁיו, u-farashav): Refers to cavalry. These were also specialized and valued military personnel. The juxtaposition of "men of war," "captains," "chariots," and "horsemen" highlights the diverse and honored military positions held by Israelites.

• Words-group by words-group analysis:

  • "But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no servants for his work": This clause asserts that Israel was exempt from the arduous public works labor. This reflects adherence to Mosaic Law, which prohibited the perpetual enslavement of fellow Israelites (Lev 25:39-43). It highlights Israel's unique status as God's chosen and redeemed people, distinguished from the conquered foreign nations.
  • "but they were men of war, and chief of his captains, and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen.": This second clause explicitly details the prestigious and skilled roles given to the Israelites. It presents them not as mere laborers but as protectors and leaders within the kingdom, managing strategic military assets like chariots and cavalry. This underlines their elevated position in Solomon's hierarchy and society, aligning with their covenant identity and distinguishing them as a free people chosen by God.

2 Chronicles 8 9 Bonus section

• The Chronicler's strong emphasis on this point differentiates his account slightly from the Book of Kings, where 1 Kings 5:13 mentions "Solomon raised a levy of forced labor from all Israel," but then clarifies in 1 Kings 9:22, similar to 2 Chronicles, that actual slave-laborers were from conquered peoples. The Chronicler makes this distinction even more explicit and prominent, highlighting the ideal theological principle for his post-exilic audience, stressing Israel's covenant freedom even within a powerful monarchy.
• The selection of military roles for Israelites is significant. Warfare was an honorable occupation, directly related to the defense and expansion of the kingdom. These roles required skill, courage, and leadership, contrasting sharply with the manual, laborious work assigned to foreign peoples.
• The term שָׁלִשׁ (shalish) suggests an advanced level of military organization, indicating Solomon's sophisticated military structure beyond simple foot soldiers and implying highly skilled and trusted personnel in leadership.

2 Chronicles 8 9 Commentary

This verse serves as a crucial clarification in the Chronicler's account of Solomon's reign, particularly following the mention of the vast foreign labor force. It underscores a fundamental principle rooted in Mosaic Law and Israel's identity as God's redeemed people: Israelites were not to be subjected to the same type of forced labor or perpetual servitude imposed upon other nations. Instead, they held honorable positions, especially within the military, serving as elite soldiers and officers. This distinction not only showcased Solomon's (or the Chronicler's idealization of Solomon's) adherence to God's commands regarding the treatment of His people but also affirmed their sacred status within the covenant, emphasizing that God's kingdom would prosper justly, respecting the freedom and dignity of His chosen nation.