2 Chronicles 8:7-8
All the people who were left of the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, who were not of Israel, from their descendants who were left after them in the land, whom the people of Israel had not destroyed—these Solomon drafted as forced labor, and so they are to this day.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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Even though Solomon was building God's magnificent temple, he wasn't separating himself from the surrounding Canaanite cultures. This verse highlights that these groups, who were supposed to have been driven out by Israel, were still present and integrated into the society, a subtle foreshadowing of future compromises. It's easy to focus on the grandeur of the temple, but this detail points to a less obvious, underlying vulnerability in Israel's spiritual state.
Solomon is establishing his kingdom and solidifying his reign after his father David's passing. He's building the Temple and the Temple, then he's consolidating his power and wealth, and here he's dealing with the remnants of the nations that occupied the land before Israel. This leads into his decree about who can and cannot be enslaved, as these foreign peoples are put to work.
Ever wondered what happened to the original inhabitants of Canaan after Israel conquered the land? This verse gives us a glimpse.
The conquest of Canaan wasn't an immediate, total eradication of all the original peoples. Instead, the books of Kings and Chronicles often speak of 'remnants' – groups of these nations who were allowed to remain.
Not Fully Displaced
Verse 7 lists several of these groups: Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites. These were the very nations God had commanded Israel to drive out completely (Deuteronomy 7:1-2).
A Lingering Presence
While Israel eventually established dominance, these groups didn't vanish overnight. They often lived alongside the Israelites, sometimes becoming tributaries, sometimes causing significant trouble and spiritual compromise for God's people.
God gave crystal clear instructions to Israel. So why are these nations still around? This verse points to a complex interaction.
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It's easy to read the initial commands to utterly destroy the Canaanites and assume it happened perfectly. But the reality, as shown here in 2 Chronicles, is more nuanced.
The Divine Mandate
God's command was absolute: 'You shall make no covenant with them and show no mercy to them' (Deuteronomy 7:2). This was because of the deep idolatry and corrupt practices of these nations, which would surely lead Israel astray.
Israel's Failure to Complete the Task
Later passages, like this one, reveal that Israel did not fully obey. They either couldn't, or wouldn't, drive out all these peoples. This allowed for ongoing interaction, assimilation, and spiritual danger. Solomon, in this very chapter, seems to be utilizing or managing these remaining populations, which would later contribute to the kingdom's division.
Understand the original words
ben · Hebrew Noun
Refers to those who are descendants or offspring. In the Old Testament, this term is frequently used to denote generational succession and the continuity of a people group or family line.
mas · Hebrew Noun
Often translated as 'forced labor' or 'corvée,' this refers to a system of involuntary service imposed by a ruler upon a subject population for state projects. In Israel, this was often restricted to non-Israelite groups during the monarchy.
This verse highlights that even after centuries of Israelite presence and rule, the original inhabitants of the land (Hittites, Amorites, etc.) were not fully driven out, becoming a subject population under Israelite kings like Solomon.
c. 1400 BC
Israelites Enter Canaan
Following their exodus from Egypt and 40 years in the wilderness, the Israelites, led by Joshua, began conquering the land of Canaan. This land was inhabited by various Canaanite peoples.
c. 1400-1050 BC
Period of the Judges
After Joshua's death, Israel entered a period where they lacked central leadership. While they continued to inhabit Canaan, they often struggled with assimilating and driving out the remaining indigenous populations.
c. 1050-1010 BC
Reign of King Saul
Saul was the first king of Israel, unifying the tribes. His reign saw ongoing conflicts with the Philistines and other groups, but a complete eradication of the Canaanites was not achieved.
c. 1010-970 BC
Reign of King David
David significantly expanded Israel's territory and power, subjugating many of the peoples living in and around Canaan, including remnants of the Amorites and Jebusites.
c. 970-931 BC— this verse
Reign of King Solomon
Solomon's reign was marked by peace and prosperity, and significant building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem. He utilized forced labor from the remaining native populations.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
After Solomon's death, the united kingdom split into two: the northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. This division weakened both kingdoms and affected their ability to manage remaining populations.
This passage speaks of God bringing Israel into the land promised to their fathers, a land then inhabited by the Hittites and other groups mentioned in 2 Chronicles.
Deuteronomy 7:1-2Here, Moses gives the command to drive out the nations like the Hittites, Amorites, and Jebusites, directly relating to the people left in the land that Solomon is now incorporating.
Joshua 11:19-20This text explains that the reason these Canaanite nations did not surrender to Israel was because the Lord hardened their hearts to fight against them, making their eventual subjugation inevitable.
1 Kings 9:20-21This parallel account describes the same decree by Solomon to use the descendants of these nations for forced labor, highlighting the continuation of this policy and the presence of these groups in the land.
Even though Solomon was building God's magnificent temple, he wasn't separating himself from the surrounding Canaanite cultures. This verse highlights that these groups, who were supposed to have been driven out by Israel, were still present and integrated into the society, a subtle foreshadowing of future compromises. It's easy to focus on the grandeur of the temple, but this detail points to a less obvious, underlying vulnerability in Israel's spiritual state.
Solomon is establishing his kingdom and solidifying his reign after his father David's passing. He's building the Temple and the Temple, then he's consolidating his power and wealth, and here he's dealing with the remnants of the nations that occupied the land before Israel. This leads into his decree about who can and cannot be enslaved, as these foreign peoples are put to work.
Solomon is establishing his kingdom and solidifying his reign after his father David's passing. He's building the Temple and the Temple, then he's consolidating his power and wealth, and here he's dealing with the remnants of the nations that occupied the land before Israel. This leads into his decree about who can and cannot be enslaved, as these foreign peoples are put to work.
"All the people who were left of the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites, who were not of Israel, from their descendants who were left after them in the land, whom the people of Israel had not destroyed—th…" — Even though Solomon was building God's magnificent temple, he wasn't separating himself from the surrounding Canaanite cultures. This verse highlights that these groups, who were supposed to have bee…
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