1 Kings 9:21 Meaning and Explanation
“Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The descendants of those earlier peoples are conscripted by Solomon into forced labor, a practice continuing to the writer's day.
What Does 1 Kings 9:21 Mean?
These remaining peoples, whose ancestors Israel had not fully displaced, are the ones Solomon conscripts into a permanent labor force, a tribute of bondservice that continued to the time the account was written. They bore the burden of the kingdom's heavy building work.
The verse records the hard realities of an ancient monarchy without disguising them. Such forced labor was the engine behind Solomon's vast projects. Scripture sets these facts before us honestly, leaving us to weigh the cost at which earthly grandeur is often built, and to long for the gentler reign of the King who came not to be served but to serve.
Frequently Asked Questions About 1 Kings 9:21
What does 1 Kings 9:21 mean?
The descendants of those earlier peoples are conscripted by Solomon into forced labor, a practice continuing to the writer's day.