1 Kings 9:22

Verse

But Solomon did not consign any of the Israelites to slavery, because they were his men of war, his servants, his officers, his captains, and the commanders of his chariots and cavalry.

American Standard Version (1901)

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

Bible in Basic English

But Solomon did not put the children of Israel to forced work; they were the men of war, his servants, his captains, and his chiefs, captains of his war-carriages and of his horsemen.

Free Bible Version

But Solomon did not enslave any of the Israelites. They were his soldiers, officials, commanders, captains, chariot commanders, and horsemen.

Geneva Bible 1599

But of the children of Israel did Salomon make no bondmen: but they were men of warre and his seruants, and his princes, and his captaines, and rulers of his charets and his horsemen.

King James (Authorized) Version

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.

Translation for Translators

But Solomon did not force any Israeli people to become slaves. Some Israelis became soldiers and army officers and commanders and drivers of his chariots and soldiers who rode on horses.

Unlocked Literal Bible

However, Solomon made no forced laborers of the people of Israel. Instead, they became his soldiers and his servants, his officials, and his officers and commanders of his chariot forces and his horsemen.

Noah Webster Bible

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

World English Bible

But of the children of Israel Solomon made no bondservants; but they were the men of war, his servants, his princes, his captains, and rulers of his chariots and of his horsemen.

Young's Literal Translation

And out of the sons of Israel Solomon hath not appointed a servant, for they [are] the men of war, and his servants, and his heads, and his captains, and the heads of his chariots, and his horsemen.

Context

Solomon’s Additional Achievements

²¹their descendants who remained in the land, those whom the Israelites were unable to devote to destruction —Solomon conscripted these people to be forced laborers, as they are to this day.²²But Solomon did not consign any of the Israelites to slavery, because they were his men of war, his servants, his officers, his captains, and the commanders of his chariots and cavalry.²³They were also the chief officers over Solomon’s projects: 550 supervisors over the people who did the work.

Summary

This verse describes how King Solomon did not make slaves of the Israelites for his building projects, but rather used them as soldiers, officials, commanders, chariot officers, and horsemen. It reflects Solomon's wisdom in utilizing the skills and strengths of his people for various roles in his kingdom, demonstrating his ability to govern with fairness and efficiency. By not subjecting his own people to forced labor, Solomon upheld the dignity and value of the Israelites, setting a positive example of leadership and stewardship.

Commentary

John Gill

John Gill Bible Commentary

But Pharaoh's daughter came up out of the city of David,.... Where he placed her when he first married her, until he had finished his buildings, Kg1 3:1, which being done he brought her from thence unto her house, which Solomon had built for her; the reason of which is given, not only because it was the house of David, but because it was holy by the ark being there for some time; and therefore he did not judge it proper that his wife, an Egyptian woman, and sometimes in her impurity, should dwell there; see Ch2 8:11, then did he build Millo: this being particularly repeated from Kg1 9:15, and following upon what is said of Pharaoh's daughter, has led many Jewish writers to conclude her house was built at Millo; and indeed, without supposing this, it is hard to conceive why it should be observed here; the Targum on Ch2 8:11 calls her name Bithiah.