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.

1 KINGS 9:22KJV
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1 Kings 9:22 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 9:22 mean?

1 Kings 9:22 explains that King Solomon did not force the Israelites into slave labor; instead, he assigned them roles as soldiers, officials, and leaders over his military and administrative affairs. The verse highlights that while Solomon used forced labor from other peoples, the Israelites themselves held positions of authority and service in his kingdom.

This verse is part of a passage describing how Solomon organized his workforce during his reign. The writer is clarifying to the reader that Solomon made a distinction between the Israelites and the non-Israelite peoples living in the land: Israelites served in respected roles, such as "men of war" and "princes," while forced labor (bondmen) was drawn from other groups. This detail helps explain the social structure and labor policies under Solomon’s rule.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 9:22

  • עֶבֶד (ʿeved, transliterated as "bondmen" or "servant") means a slave or someone in forced labor. The verse uses this word to make clear that Israelites were not put into this lowest social status.
  • שָׂרִים (śārîm, transliterated as "princes" or "rulers") refers to officials or leaders. The use of this term shows that Israelites were given positions of authority and responsibility.
  • אַנְשֵׁי מִלְחָמָה (ʾanšê milḥāmāh, "men of war") points to Israelites serving as soldiers, emphasizing their role in defense and military leadership rather than manual labor.

Why 1 Kings 9:22 matters

  • This verse clears up the common misunderstanding that all people under Solomon were forced into hard labor; it shows a clear distinction between Israelites and other groups.
  • The verse highlights the privileged status of Israelites in Solomon’s administration, which connects to broader themes of identity and covenant in the Old Testament.
  • By describing the specific roles Israelites held, the verse helps the reader understand the organization and priorities of Solomon’s government, especially in the context of his building projects and military strength.

Where else these words appear

“captains” Hebrew H7991 · used in 19 verses

  • Exodus 14:7 And he took six hundred chosen chariots, and all the chariots of Egypt, and captains over every one of them.
  • 2 Kings 7:19 And that lord answered the man of God, and said, Now, behold, if the LORD should make windows in heaven, might such a thing be? And he said, Behold, thou shalt see it with thine eyes, but shalt not eat thereof.
  • 2 Chronicles 8:9 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.

“horsemen” Hebrew H6571 · used in 54 verses

  • Genesis 50:9 And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen: and it was a very great company.
  • 1 Kings 10:26 And Solomon gathered together chariots and horsemen: and he had a thousand and four hundred chariots, and twelve thousand horsemen, whom he bestowed in the cities for chariots, and with the king at Jerusalem.
  • Isaiah 22:6 And Elam bare the quiver with chariots of men and horsemen, and Kir uncovered the shield.

“chariots” Hebrew H7393 · used in 104 verses

  • Genesis 50:9 And there went up with him both chariots and horsemen: and it was a very great company.
  • 1 Kings 16:9 And his servant Zimri, captain of half his chariots, conspired against him, as he was in Tirzah, drinking himself drunk in the house of Arza steward of his house in Tirzah.
  • 2 Chronicles 12:3 With twelve hundred chariots, and threescore thousand horsemen: and the people were without number that came with him out of Egypt; the Lubims, the Sukkiims, and the Ethiopians.