Bible Strands
2 Chronicles 8:9
But Solomon did not consign any of the Israelites to slave labor, because they were his men of war, the leaders of his captains, and the commanders of his chariots and cavalry.
Berean Standard Bible
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Study note
Setting — The Chronicler records Solomon’s administrative restructuring during the temple and palace building campaigns. He explicitly separates Israelite personnel from the conscripted non-Israelite population that remained in the land.
The words — בְּנֵי יִשְׂרָאֵל (benei Yisra'el) literally renders "sons of Israel" or Israelite descendants, while לַעֲבָדִים (la'avadim) means "into slaves" or "for slave labor."
The thread — The verse directly follows the description of conscripting remaining Canaanites in 2 Chronicles 8:8 and contrasts with the royal conscription warned of in 1 Samuel 8:11. It aligns with the legal boundary against enslaving Israelites found in Leviticus 25:39.
Why it lands — The text states that Israelites were exempt from forced labor because they served exclusively as military commanders and officers. It requires the reader to acknowledge that royal policy drew a strict administrative line between conquered subjects and the covenant people.
Drafted by a language model from the text, its original words and its cross-references, then checked against them. It can still be wrong: open the verse in the app to report it.
The Hebrew words
King James Version
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.
Cross-references
- Exodus 19:5 Now if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, you will be My treasured possession out of all the nations—for the whole earth is Mine.
- Leviticus 25:39 If a countryman among you becomes destitute and sells himself to you, then you must not force him into slave labor.
- 1 Samuel 8:11 He said, “This will be the manner of the king who will reign over you: He will take your sons and appoint them to serve his own chariots and horses, and to run in front of his chariots.
- Galatians 4:26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother.
- Galatians 4:31 Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave woman, but of the free woman.