1 Kings 5:13-18
Summary for 1Kgs 5:13-18: 5:13-18 a This passage describes Solomon’s work force and the division of labor. Forced labor was a common practice in the ancient Near East (see study note on 4:6). 5:13 b Aliens with permanent residency in Israel comprised the bulk of Solomon’s labor force. Native Israelites were apparently temporary supervisors for Solomon’s building projects (9:22-23 c; 11:28 d).5:16 e 3,600 foremen: In 2 Chronicles (2 Chr 2:2 f, 17-18 g; 8:10 h) the foremen total 3,600 non-Israelite and 250 Israelite chief supervisors. The numbers in the Hebrew text of 1 Kgs 5:16 i and 9:23 j are 3,300 foremen and 550 chief supervisors. It is possible that 250 of the chief supervisors were Israelites, with 300 non-Israelites holding the same rank.
Summary for 1Kgs 5:17-18: 5:17-18 k Large blocks of high-quality stone were probably cut to size (see 7:10 l) in a quarry near Jerusalem (6:7 m). The need to handle these massive stones is probably what led Solomon to institute forced labor. The craftsmen included men from ... Gebal (Byblos), a port known for exporting timber, according to ancient Egyptian inscriptions.
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