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.
But Solomon did not make any of the Israelites into slaves. Instead, they served as his soldiers, personal servants, government officials, military commanders, chariot commanders, and cavalry officers.
This verse shows that Solomon honored his own people by giving them positions of leadership and military service rather than forcing them into slavery.
📚 Historical Context
During King Solomon's reign in ancient Israel, around the 10th century BC, he oversaw a time of great wealth and expansion, including the construction of the temple in Jerusalem and other major projects. Solomon used forced labor from conquered peoples but deliberately avoided making his fellow Israelites into slaves, instead appointing them to roles of honor such as soldiers, officials, and leaders in his administration. This practice highlighted the cultural and legal distinctions in ancient Near Eastern societies, where ethnic kin were typically treated with more respect and reserved for higher positions.
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