Verse Meaning1 KingsSome background helps
1 Kings 9:15: Meaning Explained
And this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised; for to build the house of the LORD, and his own house,...
1 Kings 9:15
“Here is the account of the forced labor King Solomon conscripted to build the Lord's temple, his own palace, the supporting terraces, the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, Megiddo and Gezer.”
What Does This Verse Mean?
Solomon used forced labor to build many important projects including the temple and cities.
What’s Happening Here
This verse summarizes all of Solomon's major building projects.
Key Words
forced laborworkers required to work by law
Why It Matters
This verse reminds us that even great religious and civic achievements can have a human cost, encouraging reflection on justice and ethics in leadership and large projects today.
Did You Know?
The cities of Hazor, Megiddo, and Gezer were strategically located along major trade and military routes, showing Solomon's focus on both economic control and national defense.
Word Study
H1697
And this is the reasonדְבַר
H4522
of the levyהַמַּ֜ס
H5927
raisedהֶעֱלָ֣ה׀
H4428
which kingהַמֶּ֣לֶךְ
H8010
Solomonשְׁלֹמֹ֗ה
H1129
for to buildלִבְנוֹת֩
H1004
and his own houseבֵּיתוֹ֙
H3068
of the LORDיְהוָ֤ה
H4407
and Milloהַמִּלּ֔וֹא
H2346
and the wallחוֹמַ֣ת
H3389
of Jerusalemיְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם
H2674
and Hazorחָצֹ֥ר
H4023
and Megiddoמְגִדּ֖וֹ
H1507
and Gezerגָּֽזֶר׃
Cross References
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Read 1 Kings 9:15 in the Bible reader, or explore the full chapter summary.