20-23 The remnants from the original inhabitants of the land (Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—all non-Israelites), survivors of the holy wars, were rounded up by Solomon for his gangs of slave labor, a policy still in effect. But true Israelites were not treated this way; they were used in his army and administration—government leaders and commanders of his chariots and charioteers. They were also the project managers responsible for Solomon’s building operations—550 of them in charge of the workforce.

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20 There were still people left from the Amorites, Hittites,(A) Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites(B) (these peoples were not Israelites). 21 Solomon conscripted the descendants(C) of all these peoples remaining in the land—whom the Israelites could not exterminate[a](D)—to serve as slave labor,(E) as it is to this day. 22 But Solomon did not make slaves(F) of any of the Israelites; they were his fighting men, his government officials, his officers, his captains, and the commanders of his chariots and charioteers.

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Footnotes

  1. 1 Kings 9:21 The Hebrew term refers to the irrevocable giving over of things or persons to the Lord, often by totally destroying them.