And this is the account of the forced labor that King Solomon drafted to build the house of the LORD and his own house and the Millo and the wall of Jerusalem and Hazor and Megiddo and Gezer
English Standard Version (ESV)
What's striking here is that the "forced labor" wasn't just for God's house, but equally for Solomon's own palaces and fortified cities. This shows how, even in the Old Testament, building for God often became entangled with and even subsidized by the king's personal ambitions and security projects. It's a subtle reminder that human hands, even when building for the sacred, can mix in motives that are far from purely divine.
And this is the account of the forced labor that King Solomon drafted to build the house of the LORD and his own house and the Millo and the wall of Jerusalem and Hazor and Megiddo and Gezer
English Standard Version (ESV)
Solomon has just finished building the magnificent Temple for God and his own palace, but this verse reveals the significant human cost of these grand projects. It details the forced labor Solomon imposed on a large population, revealing that the splendor of his reign was built on the backs of many who were conscripted into service. This sets the stage for later discontent and division within the kingdom.
Solomon's reign is often painted as a golden age of peace and prosperity. But even the greatest achievements come at a cost.
This verse pulls back the curtain on the immense construction projects of Solomon's reign. Notice it doesn't just mention building God's Temple, but also Solomon's own palace, fortifications, and expanding cities.
Why were cities like Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer so crucial to Solomon's building program?
This verse reveals that Solomon's building wasn't confined to the capital. He invested heavily in other key locations, turning them into 'store cities' and fortified centers.
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Understand the original words
mas · Hebrew Noun
In the context of the monarchy, this refers to state-mandated service or corvée labor used for large-scale public building projects.
bayit YHWH · Hebrew Noun Phrase
The central place of worship for the Israelites where God's name was said to dwell; the architectural embodiment of Yahweh's presence among His people.
millo · Hebrew Proper Noun
A specific architectural feature, likely a fortification or retaining wall/terrace, associated with the defense and infrastructure of ancient Jerusalem.
This verse highlights the immense scale of Solomon's building projects, revealing that the splendor of the Temple and royal palace was achieved through a massive mobilization of Israelite labor, which likely contributed to later discontent.
c. 970 BC
Solomon Anointed King
David, Solomon's father, dies, and Solomon ascends to the throne of Israel, inheriting a unified kingdom and significant resources.
c. 966 BC
Temple Construction Begins
Solomon commences the ambitious project of building the LORD's Temple in Jerusalem, a monumental undertaking requiring vast labor and resources.
c. 960 BC
Palace Construction Begins
Solomon begins constructing his own lavish palace, a project that likely also demanded significant resources and labor, possibly around the same time or shortly after the Temple's main phase.
c. 955 BC— this verse
Solomon's Forced Labor Drafted
Solomon begins to draft significant numbers of Israelites into forced labor for various building projects, including the Temple, his palace, and strategic cities like Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer.
c. 950 BC
Gezer Redevelopment
Solomon rebuilds and fortifies the Canaanite city of Gezer, which he had received as a dowry from Pharaoh. This likely involved substantial labor drafts.
c. 945 BC
Hazor and Megiddo Fortified
Solomon further fortifies the strategic cities of Hazor and Megiddo, turning them into important administrative and military centers, requiring extensive labor.
c. 931 BC
Solomon's Death and Kingdom Division
Solomon dies after a long reign. His death is followed by the division of the united kingdom of Israel into the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah.
This passage highlights the massive scale of Solomon's building projects, detailing the thousands of laborers and overseers he mobilized, mirroring the forced labor mentioned in 1 Kings 9:15.
Exodus 1:11-14This earlier account shows the Israelites forced into hard labor by the Egyptians, providing a stark contrast and a historical precedent for the oppressive nature of forced labor that Solomon, unfortunately, also employed.
2 Chronicles 8:10This verse provides a similar accounting of the supervisors and chief officers Solomon appointed over his workforce, reinforcing the organized and extensive nature of the labor drafted for his building endeavors.
Nehemiah 5:1-5This passage reveals the heavy burdens and oppressive practices faced by the common people generations later, including forced labor and excessive taxation, suggesting that the consequences of such large-scale state projects could ripple through society.
What's striking here is that the "forced labor" wasn't just for God's house, but equally for Solomon's own palaces and fortified cities. This shows how, even in the Old Testament, building for God often became entangled with and even subsidized by the king's personal ambitions and security projects. It's a subtle reminder that human hands, even when building for the sacred, can mix in motives that are far from purely divine.
Solomon has just finished building the magnificent Temple for God and his own palace, but this verse reveals the significant human cost of these grand projects. It details the forced labor Solomon imposed on a large population, revealing that the splendor of his reign was built on the backs of many who were conscripted into service. This sets the stage for later discontent and division within the kingdom.
Solomon has just finished building the magnificent Temple for God and his own palace, but this verse reveals the significant human cost of these grand projects. It details the forced labor Solomon imposed on a large population, revealing that the splendor of his reign was built on the backs of many who were conscripted into service. This sets the stage for later discontent and division within the kingdom.
"And this is the account of the forced labor that King Solomon drafted to build the house of the LORD and his own house and the Millo and the wall of Jerusalem and Hazor and Megiddo and Gezer" — What's striking here is that the "forced labor" wasn't just for God's house, but equally for Solomon's own palaces and fortified cities. This shows how, even in the Old Testament, building for God of…
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Last reviewed October 2026