1 Kings 9:21 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 9:21 mean?

1 Kings 9:21 explains that King Solomon made the descendants of the original peoples living in the land—those whom the Israelites had not completely destroyed—serve as forced laborers, and this continued up to the time the verse was written. The verse highlights that these people were not Israelites, but rather the children of those left in the land after Israel’s conquest.

This verse is part of a passage describing Solomon’s reign and his building projects. The writer is explaining how Solomon organized labor for his many works by using the remaining non-Israelite peoples in the land as a workforce. The verse makes a distinction between the Israelites and these other groups, showing that Solomon did not enslave his own people for these tasks.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 9:21

• "children" (בֵּן, ben): This word refers to descendants or offspring, emphasizing that it was the next generation of the original inhabitants who became laborers under Solomon.
• "bondservice" (עָבַד, avad): This word means to serve or to work, often in the sense of servitude or forced labor. Here, it clarifies that the tribute Solomon imposed was not just a tax, but actual labor service.
• "tribute" (מַס, mas): This term refers to a levy or forced labor, not simply a financial tax. It underscores that Solomon’s tribute involved compulsory work, not just payment.

Why 1 Kings 9:21 matters

• This verse clarifies that Solomon did not enslave the Israelites, but rather used the remaining non-Israelite peoples for forced labor, which addresses a common misunderstanding about Israelite slavery.
• The verse connects to the broader context of Solomon’s building projects, explaining how such massive undertakings were possible in practical terms.
• It highlights a continuing reality from the time of the conquest of Canaan: not all the original inhabitants were removed, and their descendants played a specific role in Israel’s society under Solomon.