This is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised, to build Yahweh’s house, his own house, Millo, Jerusalem’s wall, Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer. Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up, taken Gezer, burned it with fire, killed the Canaanites who lived in the city, and given it for a wedding gift to his daughter, Solomon’s wife. Solomon built in the land Gezer, Beth Horon the lower, Baalath, Tamar in the wilderness, all the storage cities that Solomon had, the cities for his chariots, the cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build for his pleasure in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.
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This is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised, to build Yahweh’s house, his own house, Millo, Jerusalem’s wall, Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer. Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up, taken Gezer, burned it with fire, killed the Canaanites who lived in the city, and given it for a wedding gift to his daughter, Solomon’s wife. Solomon built in the land Gezer, Beth Horon the lower, Baalath, Tamar in the wilderness, all the storage cities that Solomon had, the cities for his chariots, the cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build for his pleasure in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion. As for all the people who were left of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, who were not of the children of Israel; their children who were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel were not able utterly to destroy, of them Solomon raised a levy of bondservants to this day. 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. These were the five hundred fifty chief officers who were over Solomon’s work, who ruled over the people who labored in the work. But Pharaoh’s daughter came up out of David’s city to her house which Solomon had built for her. Then he built Millo. Solomon offered burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar which he built to Yahweh three times per year, burning incense with them, on the altar that was before Yahweh. So he finished the house. King Solomon made a fleet of ships in Ezion Geber, which is beside Eloth, on the shore of the Red Sea, in the land of Edom. Hiram sent in the fleet his servants, sailors who had knowledge of the sea, with the servants of Solomon. They came to Ophir, and fetched from there gold, four hundred and twenty talents, and brought it to king Solomon.
Parallel Translations
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This is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised, to build Yahweh’s house, his own house, Millo, Jerusalem’s wall, Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer.
Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up, taken Gezer, burned it with fire, killed the Canaanites who lived in the city, and given it for a wedding gift to his daughter, Solomon’s wife.
Solomon built in the land Gezer, Beth Horon the lower,
Baalath, Tamar in the wilderness,
all the storage cities that Solomon had, the cities for his chariots, the cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build for his pleasure in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.
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And this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised; for to build the house of the LORD, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer.
For Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up, and taken Gezer, and burnt it with fire, and slain the Canaanites that dwelt in the city, and given it for a present unto his daughter, Solomon’s wife.
And Solomon built Gezer, and Beth-horon the nether,
And Baalath, and Tadmor in the wilderness, in the land,
And all the cities of store that Solomon had, and cities for his chariots, and cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.
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And this is the account of the levy which king Solomon raised; to build the house of the LORD, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer.
Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up, and taken Gezer, and burnt it with fire, and slain the Canaanites that dwelt in the city, and given it for a portion unto his daughter, Solomon's wife.
And Solomon built Gezer, and Beth-horon the nether,
and Baalath, and Tadmor in the wilderness, in the land,
and all the store-cities that Solomon had, and the cities for his chariots, and the cities for his horsemen, and that which Solomon desired to build for his pleasure in Jerusalem, and in Lebanon, and in all the land of his dominion.
Cross-references (48)
- 1 Kings 9:24 (vv15–16) But Pharaoh’s daughter came up out of David’s city to her house which Solomon had built for her. Then he built Millo.
- Joshua 17:11 (v15) Manasseh had three heights in Issachar, in Asher Beth Shean and its towns, and Ibleam and its towns, and the inhabitants of Dor and its…
- 2 Samuel 5:9 (v15) David lived in the stronghold, and called it David’s city. David built around from Millo and inward.
- 1 Kings 5:13 (v15) King Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.
- 1 Kings 9:1 (v19) When Solomon had finished the building of Yahweh’s house, the king’s house, and all Solomon’s desire which he was pleased to do,
Show all 45 cross-references
- Joshua 19:44 (vv17–18) Eltekeh, Gibbethon, Baalath,
- Joshua 11:1 (v15) When Jabin king of Hazor heard of it, he sent to Jobab king of Madon, to the king of Shimron, to the king of Achshaph,
- Joshua 16:3 (v17) and it went down westward to the border of the Japhletites, to the border of Beth Horon the lower, and on to Gezer; and ended at the sea.
- Joshua 19:36 (v15) Adamah, Ramah, Hazor,
- 1 Kings 3:1 (v16) Solomon made an alliance with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh’s daughter, and brought her into David’s city, until he had finished…
- Joshua 16:10 (vv15–16) They didn’t drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer; but the Canaanites dwell in the territory of Ephraim to this day, and have become…
- Joshua 21:22 (v17) Kibzaim with its pasture lands, and Beth Horon with its pasture lands: four cities.
- Judges 1:29 (v15) Ephraim didn’t drive out the Canaanites who lived in Gezer, but the Canaanites lived in Gezer among them.
- Exodus 1:11 (v19) Therefore they set taskmasters over them to afflict them with their burdens. They built storage cities for Pharaoh: Pithom and Raamses.
- Joshua 10:10 (v17) Yahweh confused them before Israel. He killed them with a great slaughter at Gibeon, and chased them by the way of the ascent of Beth…
- Joshua 10:33 (v15) Then Horam king of Gezer came up to help Lachish; and Joshua struck him and his people, until he had left him no one remaining.
- Joshua 21:21 (v15) They gave them Shechem with its pasture lands in the hill country of Ephraim, the city of refuge for the man slayer, and Gezer with its…
- Judges 4:2 (v15) Yahweh sold them into the hand of Jabin king of Canaan, who reigned in Hazor; the captain of whose army was Sisera, who lived in Harosheth…
- Judges 5:19 (v15) “The kings came and fought, then the kings of Canaan fought at Taanach by the waters of Megiddo. They took no plunder of silver.
- Judges 9:6 (v15) All the men of Shechem assembled themselves together with all the house of Millo, and went and made Abimelech king by the oak of the pillar…
- Judges 9:20 (v15) but if not, let fire come out from Abimelech and devour the men of Shechem and the house of Millo; and let fire come out from the men of…
- 1 Kings 4:12 (v15) Baana the son of Ahilud, in Taanach and Megiddo, and all Beth Shean which is beside Zarethan, beneath Jezreel, from Beth Shean to Abel…
- 1 Kings 4:26-28 (v19) Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen. Those officers provided food for king Solomon,…
- 1 Kings 6:38–7:1 (v15) In the eleventh year, in the month Bul, which is the eighth month, the house was finished throughout all its parts, and according to all…
- 1 Kings 7:8 (v16) His house where he was to dwell, the other court within the porch, was of the like work. He made also a house for Pharaoh’s daughter (whom…
- 1 Kings 9:10 (v15) At the end of twenty years, in which Solomon had built the two houses, Yahweh’s house and the king’s house
- 1 Kings 9:16-17 (v15) Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up, taken Gezer, burned it with fire, killed the Canaanites who lived in the city, and given it for a…
- 1 Kings 9:21 (v15) their children who were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel were not able utterly to destroy, of them Solomon raised a…
- 1 Kings 10:26 (v19) Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen. He had one thousand four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, that he kept in…
- 1 Kings 11:27 (v15) This was the reason why he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the breach of his father David’s city.
- 2 Kings 9:27 (v15) But when Ahaziah the king of Judah saw this, he fled by the way of the garden house. Jehu followed after him, and said, “Strike him also in…
- 2 Kings 12:20 (v15) His servants arose, and made a conspiracy, and struck Joash at the house of Millo, on the way that goes down to Silla.
- 2 Kings 15:29 (v15) In the days of Pekah king of Israel, Tiglath Pileser king of Assyria came and took Ijon, Abel Beth Maacah, Janoah, Kedesh, Hazor, Gilead,…
- 2 Kings 23:29-30 (v15) In his days Pharaoh Necoh king of Egypt went up against the king of Assyria to the river Euphrates; and king Josiah went against him; and…
- 1 Chronicles 6:67 (v15) They gave to them the cities of refuge, Shechem in the hill country of Ephraim with its pasture lands, and Gezer with its pasture lands,
- 1 Chronicles 20:4 (v15) After this, war arose at Gezer with the Philistines. Then Sibbecai the Hushathite killed Sippai, of the sons of the giant; and they were…
- 2 Chronicles 1:14 (v19) Solomon gathered chariots and horsemen. He had one thousand four hundred chariots and twelve thousand horsemen that he placed in the…
- 2 Chronicles 8:1 (v15) At the end of twenty years, in which Solomon had built Yahweh’s house and his own house,
- 2 Chronicles 8:4 (v18) He built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the storage cities, which he built in Hamath.
- 2 Chronicles 8:4-18 (v17) He built Tadmor in the wilderness, and all the storage cities, which he built in Hamath. Also he built Beth Horon the upper and Beth Horon…
- 2 Chronicles 35:22 (v15) Nevertheless Josiah would not turn his face from him, but disguised himself, that he might fight with him, and didn’t listen to the words…
- Psalms 51:18 (v15) Do well in your good pleasure to Zion. Build the walls of Jerusalem.
- Ecclesiastes 2:10 (v19) Whatever my eyes desired, I didn’t keep from them. I didn’t withhold my heart from any joy, for my heart rejoiced because of all my labor,…
- Ecclesiastes 6:9 (v19) Better is the sight of the eyes than the wandering of the desire. This also is vanity and a chasing after wind.
- Zechariah 12:11 (v15) In that day there will be a great mourning in Jerusalem, like the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.
45 distinct cross-references across this passage (48 total citations).
Cross-references from openbible.info (CC BY 4.0)
Explain this passage (18 sources)
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Geneva Bible translators 1599 · Public Domain On vv15, 19 Millo was as the town house or place of…
Millo was as the town house or place of assembly which was open above.
Geneva Bible (1599) marginal notes — public domain.
John Trapp 1656 · Public Domain On vv15–19 1Ki 9:15 And this [is] the reason of the…
1Ki 9:15 And this [is] the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised; for to build the house of the LORD, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer.
Ver. 15. And this is the reason of the levy,] sc., That Hiram, since he would not have those cities, might have his money repaid him, that had been bestowed - and much more - upon those buildings.
John Trapp, A Commentary or Exposition upon All the Books of the Old and New Testament (1647–1656) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Matthew Poole 1685 · Public Domain On vv15–19 The levy which king Solomon raised; both the levy…
The levy which king Solomon raised; both the levy of men, of which 1Ki 5:13, and the levy of money upon his people and subjects, which is sufficiently evident from many scriptures. And this sentence may look both backward and forward. He raised this levy, both to pay what he owed to Hiram, which is mentioned before; and to build the works here following.
Millo seems to have been an eminent, and large, and strong fort or castle in Jerusalem, as may be gathered from 1Ki 11:27; 2Ch 32:5.
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Hazor, in Naphtali. See Jos 11:10; Jos 19:36.
Megiddo, in that part of the tribe of Manasseh within Jordan; of which see Jos 17:11.
Gezer, in Ephraim, Jos 21:21. It now was, and long had been, in the possession of the Canaanites, Jos 16:10; Jdg 1:29, and permitted so to be by David and Solomon, either by neglect, or because they were busied in greater and more necessary employments.
Matthew Poole's English Annotations on the Holy Bible (1683–1685) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Matthew Henry 1710 · Public Domain On v15 We have here a further account of Solomon's greatness.
We have here a further account of Solomon's greatness.
I. His buildings. He raised a great levy both of men and money, because he projected a great deal of building, which would both employ many hands and put him to a vast expense, Kg1 9:15. And he was a wise builder, who sat down first, and counted the cost, and would not begin to build till he found himself able to finish. Perhaps there was some complaint of the heaviness of the taxes, which the historian excuses from the greatness of his undertakings. He raised it, not for war (as other princes), which would spend the blood of his subjects, but for building, which would require only their labour and purses. Perhaps David observed Solomon's genius to lie towards building, and foresaw he would have his head and hands full of it, when he penned that song of degrees for Solomon, which begins, Except the Lord build the house, those labour in vain that build it (Psa 127:1), directing him to acknowledge God in all his ways, and, by prayer and faith in his providence, to take him along with him in all his designs of this kind. And Solomon verily began his work at the right end, for he built God's house first, and finished that before he began his own; and then God blessed him, and he prospered in all his other buildings. If we begin with God, he will go on with us. Let the first-fruits be his, and the after-fruits will the more comfortably be ours, Mat 6:33. Solomon built a church first and then he was enabled to build houses, and cities, and walls. Those consult not their own interest that defer to the last what they design for pious uses. The further order in Solomon's buildings is observable. God's house first for religion, then his own for his own convenience, then a house for his wife, to which she removed as soon as it was ready for her (Kg1 9:24), then Millo, the town-house or guild-hall, then the wall of Jerusalem, the royal city, then some cities of note and strength in the country, which were decayed and unfortified, Hazor, Megiddo, etc. As he rebuilt these at his own charge, the inhabitants would be not only his subjects, but his tenants, which would increase the revenues of the crown for the benefit of his successors. Among the rest, he built Gezer, which Pharaoh took out of the hands of the Canaanites, and made a present of to his daughter, Solomon's wife, Kg1 9:16. See how God maketh the earth to help the woman. Solomon was not himself a warlike prince, but the king of Egypt, who was, took cities for him to build. Then he built cities for convenience, for store, for his chariots, and for his horsemen, Kg1 9:19. And, lastly, he built for pleasure in Lebanon, for his hunting perhaps, or other diversions there. Let piety begin, and profit proceed, and leave pleasure to the last.
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II. His workmen and servants. In doing such great works, he must needs employ abundance of workmen. The honour of great men is borrowed from their inferiors, who do that which they have the credit of. 1. Solomon employed those who remained of the conquered and devoted nations in all the slavish work, Kg1 9:20, Kg1 9:21. We may suppose that they renounced their idolatry and submitted to Solomon's government, so that he could not, in honour, utterly destroy them, and they were so poor that he could not levy money on them; therefore he served himself of their labour. Herein he observed God's law (Lev 25:44, Thy bondmen shall be of the heathen), and fulfilled Noah's curse upon Canaan, A servant of servants shall he be unto his brethren, Gen 9:25. 2. He employed Israelites in the more creditable services (Kg1 9:22, Kg1 9:23): Of them he made no bondmen, for they were God's freemen, but he made them soldiers and courtiers, and gave them offices, as he saw them qualified, among his chariots and horsemen, appointing some to support the service of the inferior labourers. Thus he preserved the dignity and liberty of Israel and honoured their relation to God as a kingdom of priests.
III. His piety and devotion (Kg1 9:25): Three times in a year he offered burnt-offerings extraordinary (namely, at the three yearly feasts, the passover, pentecost, and feast of tabernacles) in honour of the divine institution, besides what he offered at other times, both statedly and upon special occasions. With his sacrifices he burnt incense, not himself (that was king Uzziah's crime), but the priest for him, at his charge, and for his particular use. It is said, He offered on the altar which he himself built. He took care to build it, and then, 1. He himself made use of it. Many will assist the devotions of others that neglect their own. Solomon did not think his building an altar would excuse him from sacrificing, but rather engage him the more to it. 2. He himself had the benefit and comfort of it. Whatever pains we take, for the support of religion, to the glory of God and the edification of others, we ourselves are likely to have the advantage of it.
IV. His merchandise. He built a fleet of trading ships at Ezion-geber (Kg1 9:26), a port on the coast of the Red Sea, the furthest stage of the Israelites when they wandered in the wilderness, Num 33:35. Probably that wilderness now began to be peopled by the Edomites, which it was not then. To them this port had belonged, but, David having subdued the Edomites, it now pertained to the crown of Judah. The fleet traded to Ophir in the East Indies, supposed to be that which is now called Ceylon. Gold was the commodity traded for, substantial wealth. It should seem, Solomon had before been Hiram's partner, or put a venture into his ships, which made him a rich return of 120 talents (Kg1 9:14), which encouraged him to build a fleet of his own. The success of others in any employment should quicken our industry; for in all labour there is profit. Solomon sent his own servants as factors, and merchants, and super-cargoes, but hired Tyrians for sailors, for they had knowledge of the sea, Kg1 9:27. Thus one nation needs another, Providence so ordering it that there may be mutual commerce and assistance; for not only as Christians, but as men, we are members one of another. The fleet brought home to Solomon 420 talents of gold, Kg1 9:28. Canaan, the holy land, the glory of all lands, had no gold in it, which teaches us that that part of the wealth of this world which is for hoarding and trading is not the best part of it, but that which is more immediately for the present support and comfort of life, our own and others'; such were the productions of Canaan. Solomon got much by his merchandise, but, it should seem, David got much more by his conquests. What were Solomon's 420 talents to David's 100,000 talents of gold? Ch1 22:14; Ch1 29:4. Solomon got much by his merchandise, and yet has directed us to a better trade, within reach of the poorest, having assured us from his own experience of both that the merchandise of wisdom is better than the merchandise of silver and the gain thereof than fine gold, Pro 3:14.
Matthew Henry's Commentary on the Whole Bible (1708–1710) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Gill 1763 · Public Domain On vv15–19 For Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up, and…
For Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up, and taken Gezer, and burnt it with fire,.... Egypt lay lower than Canaan, and therefore Pharaoh is said to go up to it; what moved him to it is not certain; whether he went of himself provoked, or was moved to it by Solomon, who had married his daughter; however, so he did, and took the place, and burnt it:
and slain the Canaanites that dwelt in the city: for though it was given to the tribe of Ephraim, yet they could not drive the Canaanites out of it, who seem to have remained in it to this time; see Jos 16:10.
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and given it for a present unto his daughter, Solomon's wife; not as a dowry with her, but as a present to her; perhaps some time after marriage.
John Gill's Exposition of the Whole Bible (1746–1763) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
John Wesley 1765 · Public Domain On v15 Raised - Both the levy of men; of which,…
Raised - Both the levy of men; of which, chap. v, 13, and the levy of money upon his people and subjects. He raised this levy, both to pay what he owed to Hiram, and to build the works following.
John Wesley, Explanatory Notes Upon the Whole Bible (1754–1765) — public domain. Text via the GEBible commentary corpus.
Adam Clarke 1810 · Public Domain On vv15, 16, 18, 19 Verse 15. This is the reason of the levy]…
Verse 15. This is the reason of the levy] That is, in order to pay Hiram the sixscore talents of gold which he had borrowed from him (Hiram not being willing to take the Galilean cities mentioned above; or, having taken them, soon restored them again) he was obliged to lay a tax upon the people; and that this was a grievous and oppressive tax we learn from 1Kg 12:1-4, where the elders of Israel came to Rehoboam, complaining of their heavy state of taxation, and entreating that their yoke might be made lighter.
And Millo] This is supposed to have been a deep valley between Mount Sion and what was called the city of Jebus, which Solomon filled up, and it was built on, and became a sort of fortified place, and a place for public assemblies.-See Calmet.
Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible (1810–1826) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Joseph Benson 1811 · Public Domain On vv15–17 1Ki 9:15. This is the reason of the levy,…
1Ki 9:15. This is the reason of the levy, &c. — That the raising of a great tribute upon the people, and employing so many men in his works, might not seem strange, the sacred writer here shows the cause of it; which was, his great and numerous buildings, suitable to the high dignity to which God had advanced him. The Hebrew word, מס, mass, here rendered levy, as Mr. Selden hath shown, by many instances, is not only used for pecuniary tribute, but also for bodily labour; it means a levy of men as well as a levy of money. And he thus interprets this clause: This is the cause of requiring the labour of so many men; it was to build, &c. Having thus declared the cause, the historian proceeds (1Ki 9:20) to relate who they were that he employed in this service. And Millo — David had built round about Zion, from Millo inward, (2Sa 5:9,) but had left the structure of Millo itself imperfect, which Solomon now completed, with a particular respect to Pharaoh’s daughter, whose house was near it, 1Ki 9:24. It seems, from 1Ki 11:27, and 2Ch 32:5, to have been an eminent, large, and strong fort, or castle, in that part of Jerusalem termed the city of David, where the fortress which David took from the Jebusites anciently stood. Here, it is thought, the people of Israel assembled when there was any consultation to be made about public affairs. The name מלוא, Millo, appears to be derived from the word מלא, malee, which signifies full. Kimchi thinks it was so called because it was frequently full of people, being “locus amplus et latus, comitiis et conventibus publicis destinatus,” a large and open place, appointed for holding public courts and assemblies. And the wall of Jerusalem — Which was a great structure: for there were three walls, one within another, as Abarbinel and Joseph Ben-Gorion explain it; the inner wall encompassing the house of God and the house of the king; the middle wall encompassing the houses of great persons; (termed the College, 2Ki 22:14;) and the third the houses of all the people. And Hazor — Which had been a very eminent city, and the head of some kingdoms before the conquest of Canaan, (Jos 11:10,) and was given to the tribe of Naphtali, Jos 19:36. Megiddo — A city in the tribe of Manasseh, Jos 17:11. And Gezer — In the tribe of Ephraim, Jos 21:21.
Joseph Benson's Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1811–1818) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Albert Barnes 1834 · Public Domain On vv15, 17, 18, 19 Levy - See the marginal reference note.
Levy - See the marginal reference note.
Millo - See 2Sa 5:9 note. The Septuagint commonly render the word ἡ ἄκρα hē akra, “the citadel,” and it may possibly have been the fortress on Mount Zion connected with the Maccabean struggles (1 Macc. 4:41; 13:49-52). Its exact site has not been determined.
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And the wall of Jerusalem - David’s fortification 2Sa 5:9; 1Ch 11:8 had been hasty, and had now - fifty years later - fallen into decay. Solomon therefore had to “repair the breaches of the city of David” 1Ki 11:27.
Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer were three of the most important sites in the holy land. For the two first places, compare the marginal references and notes.
Gezer was a main city of the south. It was situated on the great maritime plain, and commanded the ordinary line of approach from Egypt, which was along this low region. The importance of Gezer appears from Jos 10:33; Jos 12:12, etc. Its site is near Tell Jezer, and marked now by Abu Shusheh. Though within the lot of Ephraim Jos 16:3, and especially assigned to the Kohathite Levites Jos 21:21, it had never yet been conquered from the old inhabitants (marginal references), who continued to dwell in it until Solomon’s time, and apparently were an independent people 1Ki 9:16.
Pharaoh took it before the marriage of Solomon with his daughter, and gave it “for a present” - i. e., for a dowry. Though in the East husbands generally pay for their wives, yet dower is given in some cases. Sargon gave Cilicia as a dowry with his daughter when he married her to Ambris king of Tubal: and the Persian kings seem generally to have given satrapial or other high offices as dowries to the husbands of their daughters.
Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible (1834–1885) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword/MySword module.
Haydock's Catholic Bible Commentary 1859 · Public Domain On vv15–19 Offered, or paid back to Hiram, for what he…
Offered, or paid back to Hiram, for what he had lent. (Tirinus) --- Hebrew, "And this is the reason of the levy (or tribute) which king Solomon imposed, in order to build," &c. (Haydock) --- We have seen that Adoniram was at the head of this department, chap. v. 14. The people bore these burdens with patience, till the works of Mello gave Jeroboam an occasion of stirring them up to rebellion, chap. xi. 27. Mello was a palace, fortification, (Calmet) or bridge, erected in the vale, (Salien) from the palace to the temple, (Menochius) lying between Sion and the old Jerusalem. David had begun to build here, and Solomon perfected the works. Ezechias repaired the wall, 2 Paralipomenon xxxii. 5. In this palace Joas was slain, 4 Kings xii. 20. (Calmet) --- Heser, or Asor, Josue xv. 23., and xix. 36. (Haydock) --- There was a town of this name in the tribe of Juda, and another in that of Nephthali. --- Gazer had been taken by Josue, but the Chanaanites had again made themselves masters of it.
George Leo Haydock (1774–1849), Haydock's Catholic Family Bible and Commentary, 1859 edition — public domain. Excludes Psalms (Douay-Rheims chapter numbering differs from Protestant) and Deuterocanonical books (Catholic canon only).
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown 1871 · Public Domain On vv15, 17, 18 this is the reason of the levy--A levy refers…
this is the reason of the levy--A levy refers both to men and money, and the necessity for Solomon making it arose from the many gigantic works he undertook to erect.
Millo--part of the fort of Jerusalem on Mount Zion (Sa2 5:9; Ch1 11:8), or a row of stone bastions around Mount Zion, Millo being the great corner tower of that fortified wall (Kg1 11:27; Ch2 32:5).
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the wall of Jerusalem--either repairing some breaches in it (Kg1 11:27), or extending it so as to enclose Mount Zion.
Hazor--fortified on account of its importance as a town in the northern boundary of the country.
Megiddo--(now Leijun)--Lying in the great caravan road between Egypt and Damascus, it was the key to the north of Palestine by the western lowlands, and therefore fortified.
Gezer--on the western confines of Ephraim, and, though a Levitical city, occupied by the Canaanites. Having fallen by right of conquest to the king of Egypt, who for some cause attacked it, it was given by him as a dowry to his daughter, and fortified by Solomon.
Jamieson, Fausset & Brown — Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible (1871) — public domain (CC PDM 1.0). Text via the HelloAO Bible API.
Daniel D. Whedon 1874 · Public Domain On vv15–19 15. The reason of the levy — The levy…
15. The reason of the levy — The levy of men mentioned 1Ki_5:13 was used, as we here learn, for building other works than the temple.
Millo — The fortress on Zion, which had, perhaps, become somewhat dilapidated. See note on 2Sa_5:9.
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Wall of Jerusalem — He repaired the breaches in the wall which David built, and also extended the walls, and probably in some places built entirely new and nobler ones. Compare 1Ki_11:27.
Hazor — The ancient capital of Jabin, in the north of Palestine. See on Jos_11:1.
Megiddo — In the great plain of Esdraelon. See on Jos_12:21.
Gezer — A city west or northwest of Jerusalem, and between it and the Mediterranean Sea. See on Jos_10:33.
Daniel D. Whedon (gen. ed.), Commentary on the Old and New Testaments (1874–1909) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges 1878 · Public Domain On vv15–19 15–25. Of the levy which king Solomon raised (2Ch_8:4-11)
15–25. Of the levy which king Solomon raised (2Ch_8:4-11)
15. the reason of the levy] On the nature and amount of this compulsory service see notes on chap. 1Ki_5:13 seqq. The present passage explains the whole purpose for which it was enforced.
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and Millo] This word is always found in the original with the definite article ‘the Millo’ (2Sa_5:9; 1Ki_11:27; 2Ch_11:8; 2Ch_32:5). Wherever it occurs it is in connexion with the walls or fortifications of Jerusalem. In 2Ch_32:5 it is stated to be in the city of David. Now the most common rendering of the word in the LXX. is ἡ ἄκρα = ‘the citadel,’ a word which is constantly used in the Books of the Maccabees for the fortress on Mount Zion. It seems probable therefore that ‘the Millo’ was some specially important, and hence strongly fortified, portion of the oldest walls where they approached most closely to Zion. From 2Sa_5:9 we should conclude that the fortress was already existing before David conquered Jerusalem, and the name itself may have been given by the Jebusites.
and Hazor] A strong city, south of Kedesh-Naphtali in the north of Palestine. When the Israelites entered Canaan it was in the possession of king Jabin, but was taken and burnt by Joshua. Standing on a lofty position it was a post of much importance for the defence of the kingdom on the north. For this reason no doubt Solomon fortified it, but it must have already been rebuilt since its destruction by Joshua, for we read of it in Jdg_4:2; Jdg_4:17, as the city of another Jabin, whose commander in chief was Sisera, slain by Jael.
Megiddo] This city (Jos_12:21) lay on the south side of the plain of Esdraelon, between Mt. Tabor and the modern bay of St Jean d’Acre, and must have been important as a protection against inroads from the northern highlands and from the direction of Phœnicia, commanding, as it would, the great road from the sea to the plain of the Jordan. Megiddo lay within the tribe of Issachar, but was allotted to Manasseh (Jos_17:11; 1Ch_7:29). The city was famous for the overthrow of Sisera, but most especially as the place where king Josiah was slain in the war against Pharaoh-Necho (2Ki_23:29).
Gezer] The position of this ancient city has not been identified, and it is not clear that there were not two places of the same name. One Gezer is mentioned (Jos_10:33) in connexion with Lachish and Eglon and other places in the south part of Canaan, but a Gezer is also spoken of as in the land assigned to the children of Joseph (Jos_16:3), that is, the tribe of Ephraim, and as being not far from Beth-horon. If these two be references to the same place the king of Gezer came a long distance to help the king of Lachish. It seems more likely that they were distinct towns. The Gezer in Ephraim did however remain in the possession of the Canaanites (see Jos_16:10), and so the king of Egypt may have come against it (as we read in the next verse) without being at war with Israel. Yet the fortification by Solomon of a place to protect his dominions on the south makes it perhaps a little more probable that some place nearer Eglon and Lachish is meant in the present passage, for there Canaanites might also be dwelling.
The Cambridge Bible for Schools and Colleges (gen. ed. J. J. S. Perowne; Cambridge University Press, 1878–1918) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers 1878 · Public Domain On vv15–19 (15) The levy.—This (see 1Ki_5:13; 1Ki_5:15) was both of…
(15) The levy.—This (see 1Ki_5:13; 1Ki_5:15) was both of Israelites and of the subject races, first originated for the building of the Temple, afterwards extended to the other great building works.
The building works enumerated are, first in Jerusalem, then in various parts of the country of critical importance, either for war or for commerce.
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Millo, or (as it always has the definite article), “the Millo.” The Hebrew word seems to signify “piling up,” or “heaping up,” and its most simple meaning would be a “fortified mound.” From the mention, however, in Jdg_9:6; Jdg_9:20, of the “house of Millo,” in connection with the men of Shechem, it has been supposed to be a Canaanitish word; and it is possible that “the Millo” of Jerusalem may have been the name of a quarter of the old Jebusite city, especially as it is first used in connection with the narrative of its capture (2Sa_5:9; 1Ch_11:8). That it was a part of the fortification of “the city of David” is clear by this passage, by 1Ki_9:24 and 1Ki_11:27, and by 2Ch_32:5; and the LXX. invariably renders it “Acra,” or “the-citadel,” a name always applied in the later history to the fortification on Mount Zion. Josephus, in describing the works of Solomon, merely says that he made the walls of David higher and stronger, and built towers on them. From the derivation of the word it is possible that the work was the raising a high fortification of earth crowned with a wall, where the hill of Zion slopes down unto the valley known subsequently as the Tyropœon.
Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer.—These cities were all of important geographical positions, and all had belonged to the subject races.
Hazor was in the north, on high ground near the waters of Merom. It had been the city of Jabin, head of the northern confederacy (Jos_11:1). After the great victory over this confederacy, Joshua burnt Hazor (Jos_11:13), and the territory was assigned to Naphtali (Jos_19:36). But it must have been regained by its old possessors, and rebuilt, for it appears again under another Jabin in Judges 4. It was evidently important, as commanding the great line of invasion through Hamath from the north. Hence it was fortified by Solomon, and probably the native inhabitants were dispossessed.
Megiddo lay in the great plain of Jezreel or Esdraelon, the battle-field of Northern Palestine, commanding some of the passes from it into the hill country of Manasseh, to which tribe it was assigned after the conquest (Jos_17:11). But it was not subdued by them (Jos_17:12-13; Jdg_1:27-28), and, with Taanach, appears as a hostile city in the Song of Deborah (Jdg_5:19). Now it was fortified, and is named subsequently as an Israelite city (2Ki_9:27; 2Ki_23:29). In later times the Romans seem to have occupied it, and their name for it, Legio (now el-ejjûr), superseded the old title.
Grezer or Gazer, was near Bethlehem, close to the maritime plain. Its king was conquered by Joshua (Jos_10:33; Jos_12:12), and the city was allotted to the Levites in the territory of Ephraim (Jos_21:17), but it remained unsubdued (Jdg_1:29). From the notice in the next verse, it must have been in rebellion against Israel, perhaps in the early and more troubled days of Solomon; and was accordingly taken by the Egyptian army (which could easily march up the plain, and attack it therefrom). The passes here were of critical importance, as appears in the Philistine wars (1Ch_20:4; 2Sa_5:25), in relation to any advance from the plain.
A Bible Commentary for English Readers, edited by Charles John Ellicott (1878–1897) — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Pulpit Commentary 1880 · Public Domain On vv15–19 And this is the reason or manner, account, rb;…
And this is the reason or manner, account, rb; D; . Keil: "This is the case with regard to," etc. The historian now proceeds to speak of the forced labour. The LXX inserts this and the next nine verses after 1Ki_10:22 of the levy (see on 1Ki_5:13 1Ki_12:18) which Solomon raised; for to build The punctuation of the A.V is misleading. The Hebrew has no break Solomon raised for building," etc. the house of the Lord and his own house and Millo Heb. invariably, the Millo, as in 2Sa_5:9; 1Ki_11:27; 2Ki_12:20; kra. 2Ch_32:5; LXX hJ a) The import of the word is much disputed, but Wordsworth has but slight warrant for say. ing that it means fortress. According to some it is an archaic Canaanitish term, "adopted by the Israelites when they took the town and incorporated into their own nomenclature" (Dict. Bib. 2. p. 367), an idea which finds some support in Jud_1:9:6, 20. Mr. Grove would further see in it a name for Mount Zion, ajkra being the invariable designation of that part of the city in the Maccabees. But see Joshua, B. J. 5:4. 1; Ant. 15:11. 5; and Porter, 1. pp. 96, 109. Lewin ("Siege of Jerusalem," p. 256) identifies it with the great platform on which temple and palace alike were built. But the word yields a definite meaning in the (= awOlm), the filling in"). Gesenius Hebrew consequently understands it to mean, a rampart (agger) because this is built up and filled in with stones, earth, etc. And the name would have a special fitness if we might suppose that it was applied to that part of the wall of Jerusalem which crossed the Tyropaeon valley. This ravine, which practically divided the city into two parts, would have been the weakest spot in the line of circumvallation, unless it were partly filled in it is now completely choked up by debris, etc. and protected by special fortifications; and, if this were done, and we can hardly doubt it was done (see on, 1Ki_11:27) Hammillo, "the filling in," would be its natural and appropriate name. And its mention, here and elsewhere, in connexion with the wall, lends some support to this view and the wall of Jerusalem We learn from 2Sa_5:9 that David had already built Millo and the wall. Rawlinson argues from 1Ki_11:27 that these repairs had been "hasty, and had now fifty years later fallen into decay," and that Solomon renewed them. More probably the words indicate an enlargement of the Tyropaeon rampart, and an extension of the walls. See note there and on chap. 3:1. Solomon, no doubt, wished to strengthen the defences of the capital, on which he had expended so much labour, and where there was so much to tempt the rapacity of predatory neighbours and Hazor For the defence of the kingdom he built a chain of fortresses "to form a sort of girdle round the land" (Ewald). The first mentioned, Hazor, was a place of great importance in earlier times, being the "head of all those (the northern) kingdoms". (Jos_11:10) It stood on an eminence as indeed, for the sake of security, did all the cities of that lawless age (ib., ver. 13 marg.) overlooking Lake Merom. It was at no great distance from the north boundary of Palestine, in Naphtali, (Jos_19:36) andbeing favoured by position, it was strongly fortified Hazor means fortress and hence Joshua made a point of destroying it. It appears, however, to have speedily regained its importance, for in Jud_1:4:2, 17 we find it as the capital of Jabin, king of Canaan. It was selected by Solomon as the best site for a stronghold, which should protect his northern border, dud as commanding the approach from Syria. As it is not mentioned in 1Ki_15:20, it would appear to have escaped in the invasion of Benhadad. Possibly it was too strong for him and Megiddo Jos_12:21 Jos_17:11; Jud_1:5:19. This place was chosen partly because of its central position it stood on the margin of the plain of Esdraelon, the battlefield of Palestine, and the battles fought there prove its strategical importance, Jud_1:5:19 (cf.; 1Sa_31:1 2Ki_23:29 RAPC Jdt 3:9, 10 and partly, perhaps, because the high road from Egypt to Damascus passed through it. It dominated the passes of Ephraim. (see RAPC Jdt 4:7) It has till recently been identified with el-Lejjun (from Legio. Compare our Chester, etc.) (Robinson, 2:116 sqq.; Stanley, S. and P., p. 347; Porter, 286, 287); but Conder ("Tent-work," p. 67) givesgood reasons for fixing the site at the "large ruins between Jezreel and Bethshean, which still bears the name of Mujedda, i.e., on the eastern side of the plain and Gezer This commanded the approach from Egypt, and would protect the southern frontier of Solomon"s kingdom. See Jos_10:33 Jos_12:12 Jos_21:21; Jud 1:29; 2Sa_5:25; 1Ch_20:4. It stands on the great maritime plain, and is also on the coast roadbetween Egypt and Jerusalem. The site was identified (in 1874) by M. Clermont Ganneau with Tell Jezer. The name means "cut off," "isolated" (Gesen.) "The origin of the title is at once clear, for the site is an out-lier to use a geological term of the main line of hills and the positioncommands one of the important passes to Jerusalem" (Conder, p. 6).
The mention of Gezer leads to a parenthesis of considerable length (vers. 16-19). The question of the levy is put aside for the time, whilst the historian explains how it was that the king came to build Gezer. He then proceeds to mention the other towns built during the same reign.
The Pulpit Commentary (1880–1919), ed. H.D.M. Spence-Jones & Joseph S. Exell — public domain. Text from a community e-Sword module.
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary 1892 · Public Domain On v15 1Ki_9:15-19. Solomon fortified the border cities especially open to…
CRITICAL AND EXPLANATORY NOTES.—
1Ki_9:15-19. Solomon fortified the border cities especially open to attacks from foes, and carried out building projects for the public health and advantage. The levy which King Solomon raised—Comp. notes on chap. 1Ki_5:13.
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1Ki_9:23 shows whom the levy included.
1Ki_9:22. Men of war עֲבָדָים = officials of the war department. Rulers of his chariots שָׁלִישִׁים—Rather, royal adjutants—the royal body guard. 1Ki_9:24-25 are inserted here without apparent connection with the narrative, but by referring back to the events which embarrassed Solomon at the beginning of his reign (chap. 1Ki_3:1-4), they mark the completion of his building projects and hence the fulfilment of “all his desire.”
1Ki_9:26. Navy of ships—The Sept., Chald.’ and Arab. have the singular ship, both here and 1Ki_9:27; yet אֳנִי means a fleet. Ezion-geber, a port at the eastern head of the Red Sea. Elioth, Elim, where a grove of terebinth trees still stands at the head of the gulf.
1Ki_9:28. Gold, four hundred and twenty talents—2Ch_8:18 states 450, a mere change of the cipher נ (50) into כ (20): calculated to value £2,604,000.—W. H. J.
HOMILETICS OF 1Ki_9:15-28
THE IMPERATIVE EXIGENCIES OF REGAL MAGNIFICENCE
Solomon had the wisdom to conceive how his little inland kingdom could be raised into greatness and importance; and it excites our admiration to observe the skilful combinations by which he accomplished his aims. His relations with Egypt, Arabia, and Tyre, by which he seemed to open up the resources of the East and the West, tended to the rapid aggrandisement of his empire. One luxury demanded another; and the increase of riches seemed to beget the desire for more. In these verses we have some indications of the manifold exigencies of regal magnificence.
I. There is the demand for architectural display (1Ki_9:15; 1Ki_9:17-19). The character of a nation is known by its public buildings. The great nations of antiquity have been famous for the grandeur of their erections. No other Israelitish king ever built so much as Solomon. The sacred narrative would not have given such prominence to his buildings but for their relation to the Theocratic kingdom. They were designed to further the greatness, power, and splendour of the Theocracy of which the Temple—the House of Jehovah—was the ostensible centre. After first building the Temple, his chef-d’æuore’ Solomon erected his own royal palace, fortified Jerusalem, and built cities and fortresses in different parts of his dominions. And yet where are these vast structures to-day? They have succumbed to the violence of dynastic changes, and the relentless ravages of time. From the gorgeous temple of Moriah to the massive and elaborate edifices of Tadmor in the Wilderness, whose ruins now lie “lonely and forsaken, like bleached bones on a long-neglected battle-field,” the same fate has overtaken them. It is not possible to conceive higher ideas of Solomon’s magnificence than these ruins present, nor more humiliating ideas of the vanity and weakness of all human splendour.
II. There is the employment of forced labour (1Ki_9:15; 1Ki_9:20-21). The greater portion of the levies of men employed by Solomon in his public works were drawn from the subjugated nations; but still the Israelites were not exempt. This was, perhaps, the first time the Israelites were called upon to perform forced labour. It had been prophesied, when they desired a king, that, if they insisted on having one, he would “take their men-servants and their maid-servants, and their goodliest young men, and put them to work” (1Sa_8:16); and David had bound to forced service “the strangers that were in the land of Israel” (1Ch_22:2); but hitherto the Israelites had escaped. Solomon now, in connection with his proposed work of building the Temple, with the honour of God as an excuse, laid this burden upon them. As to the system adopted, see chap. 1Ki_5:13-14. This, though a light form of task work, was felt by the Israelites to be a great oppression. But the great works of an imperious prince must proceed, and he who will not voluntarily help must be compelled. Every form of human slavery is degrading. Most of the great buildings of antiquity are the work of slaves. Will the works of freemen be more enduring?
III. There is the maintenance of a costly court (1Ki_9:22-23). The court of Solomon was on a scale of magnificence never attempted in Israel before or since his day. The great officers are now for the first time called by one general name—Princes. The union of priestly and secular functions still continued. The Palace was next in point of splendour to the Temple, and the Porch of the Palace was the gem and centre of the whole empire. The royal banquets were of the most superb kind. All the plate and drinking vessels were of gold. There was a constant succession of guests. The train of servants was such as had never been seen before. There were some who sat in the king’s presence, others who always stood, others who were his cup-bearers, others musicians. His stables were on the most splendid scale. In the midst of this gorgeous array was the sovereign himself. The king is fair, with superhuman beauty; his sword is on his thigh; he rides in his chariot, or on his war-horse; his archers are behind him, his guards are round him; his robes are so scented with the perfumes of India or Arabia that they seem to be nothing but a mass of myrrh, aloes, and cassia. The queen, probably from Egypt, the chief of all his vast establishment of wives and concubines, themselves the daughters of kings, was by his side, glittering in the gold of Ophir—one blaze of glory, as she sat by him in the interior of the palace; her attendants, gorgeously arrayed, are behind her; she has left her father and her father’s house; her reward is to be in the greatness of her descendants. Such is the splendour of Solomon’s court, which, even down to the outward texture of their royal robes, lived in the traditions of Israel (Stanley in loco). The dignity of royalty should be maintained in accordance with the wealth and resources of the nation.
IV. There is the call for elaborate defence.
1. A standing army must be maintained (1Ki_9:22-23). The three military bodies remain as in the days of David. The commander of the host is the priestly warrior, Benaiah, who succeeded the murdered Joab. The six hundred heroes of David’s early life only once pass across the scene. Sixty of them attended Solomon’s litter, to guard him from banditti on his way to Lebanon. The guard appear only as household troops, employed on state occasions.
2. Strong fortifications must be erected (1Ki_9:15; 1Ki_9:19). Jerusalem, the capital, is surrounded by massive walls and strengthened with a huge tower. Garrison cities are built in various parts of the country to keep the insurrectionary inhabitants in check, and to protect the nation against invaders. As a people grows in riches and in power, every necessary preparation is made at least to defend its possessions. The wealth of a nation tempts the cupidity of greedy and ambitious marauders.
V. There is the burden of an oppressive taxation (1Ki_9:15, comp. with chap. 1Ki_12:1-4). The vast levies of men raised by Solomon to build the Temple, the palace, and the fortifications of Jerusalem and other cities, must have severely taxed the people, and this grievous yoke perhaps grew heavier with Solomon’s advance of years. The people who once clamoured for a king, that they might be like the nations around them, now began to realize the truth of Samuel’s prediction as to the cost of maintaining a king and court (1Sa_8:11-18). This taxation was so heavy that it appears to have been the principal cause of the revolt of the ten tribes on the death of Solomon. “The government of the wise king was rapidly becoming as odious to the Israelites as that of the race of Tarquin, in spite of all their splendid works, to the patricians of Rome. Matterings of the coming storm were already heard, both abroad and at home.” No government can long flourish that rests on the tyranny and oppression of the people. An excessive taxation drains the fountain of a nation’s productive power.
VI. There is the necessity for extended commerce (1Ki_9:26-28). The exhaustion of the ample means left by his father, and the inadequacy of the ordinary sources of revenue to cover his vast expenses in sacred and regal building, as well us to sustain the great expense of his magnificent court and numerous household, led Solomon to turn his attention to commerce. His sagacity taught him that the Phœnicians, with whom he had become acquainted, had risen to extraordinary prosperity and great wealth solely as the result of commerce. He therefore joined Hiram in building and equipping a fleet of ships which sailed from the Red Sea, and brought in the rich productions from the far East. Necessity is the mother of invention for nations as for individuals. The grandest commercial ventures have sprung out of the pressing necessity of the hour. The increase of commerce is the increase of fresh necessities: commerce begets commerce. It is the life of national prosperity.
LESSONS:—
1. Royalty has its undoubted rights and privileges.
2. The glory of royalty is to promote the best welfare of the people.
3. The government that suppresses commerce beggars itself.
GERM NOTES ON THE VERSES
1Ki_9:15-19. National architecture.
1. Is an evidence of the wealth and genius of a nation.
2. Has a powerful influence in the culture of the national taste and character.
3. May remain when the true greatness of a nation has passed away.
1Ki_9:15-23. The plans and arrangements of Solomon for the benefit and protection of the land.
1. He built the house of the Lord, forth from which would come all salvation for Israel; then he built the store-houses for times of need and famine, and as protection against the enemies of the kingdom. A wise prince cares alike for the religious and spiritual, and for the material and temporal well-being of his people, and in times of peace does his utmost to provide against every danger which may assail the land, either from without or within. For this a nation can never be grateful enough, and should uphold him with readiness and might, instead of murmuring and complaining, as is often the case.
2. Solomon’s plan was, in his undertaking, to spare his nation all servile labour as far as possible. Therefore for all compulsory service he employed the conquered enemy, who, as such, were slaves. A wise prince will never impose burdensome taxes or heavy labour upon his people, and reigns much more willingly over freemen than over slaves; but a good and loyal people does not make freedom a pretext for villainy, and ever follows the king’s call for arms when the defence of “Fatherland” is concerned. For Israel can no more say with truth, “The Lord is my rock, my fortress, and my deliverer” (Psa_18:3), if all the nation does not aid in its defences and fortifications. In the kingdom of the true and eternal Prince of Peace bondage will cease, and all men shall obtain the freedom of the children of God.—Lange.
1Ki_9:16. Though in the East husbands generally pay for their wives, yet dower is given in some cases. Sargon gave Cilicia as a dowry with his daughter when he married her to Ambris, king of Tubal. Antiochus Soter gave his claims on Macedonia as a dowry to his stepdaughter Phila, when she married Antigonus Gonatas. Cœle-Syria and Palestine were promised as dowry to Ptolemy Epiphanes when he married Cleopatra, sister of Antiochus the Great. The Persian kings seem generally to have given satrapial or other high offices as dowries to the husbands of their daughters.—Rawlinson.
1Ki_9:20-21. The curse of slavery.
1. It is personally degrading. It robs man of his self-respect, poisons his sense of rectitude and honour, demoralizes his sensibilities, imbrutes his entire nature, and brands him with unutterable infamy.
2. It is degrading to the oppressor. It is an insult to his own manhood, it lowers his estimate of humanity, it blunts his sympathies for the race, and leads him to the shameless commission of other wrongs. The hideous character of oppressors is depicted in a few words by Wordsworth—
The good old rule
Sufficeth them, the simple plan,
That they should take who have the power,
And they should keep who can.
3. It is an element of weakness and decay in the nation. The nations of antiquity in which slavery was maintained have come to ruin. It blights the fairest country, spoils its chivalry, and saps its strongest foundations.
1Ki_9:25. The public worship of God.
1. Is the duty of all—king and subjects.
2. Cannot be neglected without mischievous results (chap. 1Ki_3:2-4).
3. Should be observed with regularity and solemnity.
4. Is the secret of national prosperity and greatness.
5. Is fraught with blessing to the individual worshipper.
—A king must make religion the rule of government, and not to balance the scale; for he that casteth in religion only to make the scales even, his own weight is contained in those characters—Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin; he is found too light; his kingdom shall be taken from him.—Bacon.
1Ki_9:26. A wise government seeks not only to preserve existing prosperity, but also to discover new sources thereof. Many there are who travel over land and sea to seek gold and to become rich, and forget that the Lord hath said, “I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich” (Rev_3:18). Expeditions into far countries must serve not only to obtain gold and treasure, but also to carry thither the treasure which neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal (Mat_6:19). Commerce may become a rich blessing for a nation, but a greedy thirst for gold often leads to extreme luxury and neglect of God, as is many times exemplified in the history of Israel.—Lange.
1Ki_9:26-28. Commerce.
1. Taxes the ingenuity of a people.
2. Stimulates travel and discovery.
3. Is the source of a nation’s wealth.
4. Promotes international amity and brotherhood.
1Ki_9:28. The controversy concerning the locality of Ophir will probably never be settled. It has been placed in Arabia, in India, in the Burmese Peninsula, at Ceylon, on the East coast of Africa, in Armenia, in Phrygia, in Iberia, and in South America, where it has been identified with Peru! Among these various opinions three predominate, all moderns, except a very few, being in favour either of Arabia, India, or Eastern Africa. Africa has comparatively few advocates, but M. Quartremere and Dean Milman are among them. India is preferred by Lassen, Thenius, Ewald, and Berthau. Arabia’s claims are supported by the greatest number, among whom are Winer, Keil, Kalisch, and Mr. Twistleton. The grand argument in favour of Arabia is derived from the occurrence of Ophir in the manifestly Arabian list of names in Gen_10:25-29. To the objection that Arabia could not produce either gold or almug trees, it is replied—
1. It has not yet been proved that she could not produce them; and
2. At any rate she might have furnished them to the Jews from an emporium.—Speaker’s Comm. We do not contend that Ophir was a place on the Indian coast. Nay, more, we do not insist that it was any particular place. It seems to us that Heeren is quite right in his remark that Ophir, like the name of all other distant places or regions of antiquity—as Thule, Tartessus, and others—denotes no particular spot, but only a certain region or part of the world, such as the East or West Indies in modern geography. Hence Ophir was a general name for all the countries lying on the African, Arabian, or Indian seas, so far as at that time known.—Kitto.
—Even the gold of Ophir perishes in the using; but the treasures of grace never wax old nor decay. He that is possessed of these hath that fine gold which constitutes the true riches (Rev_3:18).
The Preacher's Complete Homiletical Commentary (gen. ed. Joseph S. Exell; Funk & Wagnalls, c. 1892) — public domain (pre-1929). A full-Bible homiletical/sermon-outline anthology covering 65 of 66 books (2 John is absent from the source module). Text from a community e-Sword module.
unfoldingWord translationNotes 2017 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv15, 17 the account of the forced labor which King Solomon…
the account of the forced labor which King Solomon imposed
"the account of Solomon requiring men to work"
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the Millo
Possible meanings are 1) "the terrace system" or 2) "the landfill."
Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up
The person is a metonym for the army he commands. AT: "The army of Pharaoh, king of Egypt, had gone up" (See: Metonymy)
translationWords
temple
Yahweh
Jerusalem
Pharaoh
Canaan
gift
unfoldingWord translationNotes — © Distant Shores Media and the Door43 World Missions Community, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Source: git.door43.org/Door43/en_tn.
Tyndale Open Study Notes 2022 · CC BY-SA 4.0 On vv15–17 9:15-24 Solomon used forced labor to complete many building…
9:15-24 Solomon used forced labor to complete many building projects (4:6; 5:13-18; 9:20-23; 12:4, 18-19; cp. 1 Sam 8:10-18).
9:15 Solomon strengthened the supporting terraces, which were on a slope of the southeastern ridge in the traditional City of David area of Jerusalem (see 2 Sam 5:9), and the wall of Jerusalem. He also fortified the key cities of Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer. Archaeological research shows that the walls and gates of all three cities have distinctive traits attributable to Solomon’s time. Hazor, in the north, was a first line of defense against invasion. Megiddo, in the Plain of Sharon, also had strategic military importance (2 Kgs 23:29-30; Rev 16:12-16).
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