D. The Fruits of Solomon’s Reign chs. 9-11The writer next recorded what happened to Solomon and to Israel as a result of the king’s provision to exalt the reputation of Yahweh among His people. He narrated God’s covenant with Solomon (1 Kings 9:1-9), further evidences of Yahweh’s blessing (1 Kings 9:10-28), Solomon’s greatness (ch. 10), and Solomon’s apostasy (ch. 11). read more
2. Further evidences of God’s blessing 9:10-28Somewhat after the mid-point of Solomon’s 40-year reign, God was blessing him for his faithfulness. What the writer described in this section took place after Solomon had completed his major building projects in Jerusalem, which took about 20 years. read more
Solomon’s forced labor 9:20-23Solomon put the defeated native Canaanites to work on government projects (cf. Genesis 9:25-26). Nevertheless this plan proved to be a source of major dissatisfaction in Israel (cf. 1 Kings 12:4). There was a distinction in Solomon’s day between Israelites whom the king conscripted for temporary service and non-Israelites who were permanent slave laborers. The former served as military supervisors over civil forced labor gangs, for example. The latter were the... read more
God’s Response to Solomon’s Prayer. Solomon and Hiram1. When.. finished] The Temple does not seem to have been dedicated until all the king’s buildings were completed, the Temple and Palace being probably included within a single wall and regarded as a unity. In 1 Kings 9:3-9 is contained the divine response to the prayer offered by Solomon at the dedication festival.3. Mine eyes.. perpetually] Though God’s care extends over all His creation, yet those are nearest to His heart who render to Him... read more
(20) A tribute of bond service.—This was probably not originated, but simply enforced and organised, by Solomon. It dated, in theory at least, from the Conquest. The most notable example of it is the case of the Gibeonites (Joshua 9:21-27); but there are incidental notices of similar imposition of serfship in Judges 1:28; Judges 1:30; Judges 1:33; Judges 1:35. Many of the dangers of the stormy age of the Judges were due to the uprising of these subject races; as in the revival of the northern... read more
5. Jehovah Appears unto Solomon and the Greatness of the King CHAPTER 9 1. The second appearance of the LORD to Solomon (1 Kings 9:1-9 ) 2. Transactions with Hiram (1 Kings 9:10-14 ) 3. The levy of the king (1 Kings 9:15-23 ) 4. Pharaoh’s daughter occupies the house (1 Kings 9:24 ) 5. The king’s offerings (1 Kings 9:25 ) 6. Solomon’s navy (1 Kings 9:26-28 ) Jehovah’s righteous government in the midst of His people Israel had now been established. This government was given and... read more
9:20 [And] all the people [that were] {h} left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which [were] not of the children of Israel,(h) These were as bondmen and paid what was required, either labour or money. read more
GOD APPEARING AGAIN TO SOLOMON (vs.1-9) The Lord had appeared to Solomon before he built the temple (ch.3:5), now at its completion the Lord appears again to him. There was a danger of Solomon's being puffed up with pride because he was so greatly blessed as the king of the most illustrious nation on earth and had built the most magnificent building that has ever been built. Thus, the appearance of the Lord to him was necessary to give him a sober and subdued realization that he was only a... read more
DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE THE TIME (1 Kings 8:1-2 ) Since the temple was completed in the eighth month of the previous year (1 Kings 6:38 ) and not dedicated until the seventh of the following, how shall we explain the interval? The reason usually assigned is that the king waited for the feast of tabernacles in the fall when one of the greatest assemblies took place, and for this purpose the most appropriate. THE GRAND PROCESSION (1 Kings 8:3-9 ) Observe who were the leading actors (1... read more
Get Bible verse every day in your inbox
Read on Mobile
Coffman Commentaries on the Bible - 1 Kings 9:20
"As for all the people that were left of the Amorites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, who were not of the children of Israel; their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel were not able utterly to destroy, of them did Solomon raise a levy of bondservants unto this day. 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... read more