TRV
Translation
King James Version
And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.
Berean Standard Bible
Then King Solomon conscripted a labor force of 30,000 men from all Israel.
American Standard Version
And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.
World English Bible Messianic
King Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.
Geneva Bible (1599)
And King Salomon raised a summe out of all Israel, and the summe was thirtie thousand men:
Young's Literal Translation
And king Solomon lifteth up a tribute out of all Israel, and the tribute is thirty thousand men,
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In the KJVVerse 8,892 of 31,102
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Commentary on 1 Kings 5 verses 10–18
10 ¶ So Hiram gave Solomon cedar trees and fir trees according to all his desire.
11 And Solomon gave Hiram twenty thousand measures of wheat for food to his household, and twenty measures of pure oil: thus gave Solomon to Hiram year by year.
12 And the LORD gave Solomon wisdom, as he promised him: and there was peace between Hiram and Solomon; and they two made a league together.
13 And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.
14 And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses: a month they were in Lebanon, and two months at home: and Adoniram was over the levy.
15 And Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand hewers in the mountains;
16 Beside the chief of Solomon's officers which were over the work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought in the work.
17 And the king commanded, and they brought great stones, costly stones, and hewed stones, to lay the foundation of the house.
18 And Solomon's builders and Hiram's builders did hew them, and the stonesquarers: so they prepared timber and stones to build the house.
Here is, I. The performance of the agreement between Solomon and Hiram. Each of the parties made good his engagement. 1. Hiram delivered Solomon the timber, according to his bargain, Kg1 5:10. The trees were Solomon's, but perhaps - Materiam superabat opus - The workmanship was of more value than the article. Hiram is therefore said to deliver the trees. 2. Solomon conveyed to Hiram the corn which he had promised him, Kg1 5:11. Thus let justice be followed (as the expression is, Deu 16:20), justice on both sides, in every bargain.
II. The confirmation of the friendship that was between them hereby. God gave Solomon wisdom (Kg1 5:12), which was more and better than any thing Hiram did or could give him; but this made Hiram love him, and enabled Solomon to improve his kindness, so that they were both willing to ripen their mutual love into a mutual league, that it might be lasting. It is wisdom to strengthen our friendship with those whom we find to be honest and fair, lest new friends prove not so firm and so kind as old ones.
III. The labourers whom Solomon employed in preparing materials for the temple. 1. Some were Israelites, who were employed in the more easy and honourable part of the work, felling trees and helping to square them, in conjunction with Hiram's servants; for this he appointed 30,000, but employed only 10,000 at a time, so that for one month's work they had two months' vacation, both for rest and for the despatch of their own affairs at home, Kg1 5:13, Kg1 5:14. It was temple service, yet Solomon takes care that they shall not be over-worked. Great men ought to consider that their servants must rest as well as they. 2. Others were captives of other nations, who were to bear burdens and to hew stone (Kg1 5:15), and we read not that these had their resting times as the other had, for they were doomed to servitude. 3. There were some employed as directors and overseers (Kg1 5:16), 3300 that ruled over the people, and they were as necessary and useful in their place as the labourers in theirs; here were many hands and many eyes employed, for preparation was now to be made, not only for the temple, but for all the rest of Solomon's buildings, at Jerusalem, and here in the forest of Lebanon, and in other places of his dominion, of which see Kg1 9:17-19. He speaks of the vastness of his undertakings (Ecc 2:4, I made me great works), which required this vast number of workmen.
IV. The laying of the foundation of the temple; for that is the building his heart is chiefly upon, and therefore he begins with that, Kg1 5:17, Kg1 5:18. It should seem, Solomon was himself present, and president, at the founding of the temple, and that the first stone (as has been usual in famous buildings) was laid with some solemnity. Solomon commanded and they brought costly stones for the foundation; he would do every thing like himself, generously, and therefore would have some of the costliest stones laid, or buried rather, in the foundation, though, being out of sight, worse might have served. Christ, who is laid for a foundation, is an elect and precious stone (Isa 28:16), and the foundations of the church are said to be laid with sapphires, Isa 54:11, compare Rev 21:19. That sincerity which is our gospel perfection obliges us to lay our foundation firm and to bestow most pains on that part of our religion which lies out of the sight of men.
Matthew Henry (1662–1714) — Commentary on the Whole Bible. This section covers verses 10–18. Public domain.
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BedeAD 735
Of the Temple of Solomon 1.3.1
The first thing to note here is that it was not for nothing that Solomon chose workmen from all Israel, nor was there any section of the people from which men fit for such a great task were not taken, because, of course, priests nowadays are not to be chosen from the stock of Aaron alone; rather, people are to be sought from the whole church who, whether by example or word, are competent to build the house of the Lord, and wherever they are found they are to be promoted to the office of teachers without any exception of persons. And when such people are ordained to instruct the infidel and those who are to be called into the joint pastorate of the church, they are sent as energetic and picked men, as it were, to hew in Lebanon the materials for the temple. And indeed the number of thirty thousand, which was the tally of the hewers of wood, can be aptly applied figuratively to those who are perfect in the faith of the holy Trinity, because it is most appropriate for teachers.
Source: Quotations drawn from early Church Fathers and historical Christian theologians (AD 100–1500). Some quotes address the surrounding passage context rather than this verse alone.
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SUMMARY
King Solomon's monumental undertaking of constructing the Temple in Jerusalem necessitated an immense mobilization of human resources, as detailed in this verse. It specifically records the implementation of a national labor levy, conscripting thirty thousand men from across Israel to contribute directly to the arduous work of preparing materials, particularly in the forests of Lebanon. This verse highlights the vast scale of the Temple project, the centralized authority of the Solomonic monarchy, and the significant national effort required to fulfill David's vision and God's command for a permanent dwelling place for His name.
CONTEXT
EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
Key Word Analysis
Verse Breakdown
Literary Devices
The text in 1 Kings 5:13 employs several literary devices to convey its message and impact. The sheer numerical specificity of "thirty thousand men" serves as Emphasis, underscoring the colossal scale of the Temple project and the unprecedented mobilization of national resources. While a literal count, its inclusion aims to impress upon the reader the magnitude of Solomon's undertaking and his administrative capacity. The concept of the "levy" itself functions as Symbolism for the centralized power of the monarchy and the transformation of Israel from a loosely confederated tribal society into a unified kingdom with a strong, centralized government under Solomon. Furthermore, for a reader familiar with the broader biblical narrative, the mention of a "levy" can be seen as Foreshadowing the future discontent and eventual division of the kingdom, as such burdens often led to popular resentment, culminating in the cry against Rehoboam: "What portion have we in David? We have no inheritance in the son of Jesse! To your tents, O Israel! Look now to your own house, O David!" (1 Kings 12:16).
THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
The mobilization of thirty thousand men for the Temple levy in 1 Kings 5:13 reveals a tension inherent in divinely mandated projects: the intersection of human effort and divine purpose. While the Temple's construction was God's will, its execution required immense human organization, labor, and even the imposition of a burden on the populace. This highlights that even sacred endeavors are often accomplished through practical, sometimes costly, means. Theologically, it underscores the principle that God often works through human agency and established structures, even monarchical ones, to bring about His purposes. Yet, it also subtly introduces the theme of the potential for human power to become burdensome, a recurring motif in the Deuteronomistic history. The scale of the effort also points to the immense value placed on the dwelling place of God's name, signifying its central importance to Israel's identity, worship, and national purpose.
REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The account of Solomon's levy for the Temple construction offers profound insights into the nature of service, leadership, and the cost of collective endeavors, even those with divine sanction. It reminds us that significant achievements, especially in the spiritual realm, often demand substantial commitment, sacrifice, and coordinated effort from many individuals. While the "levy" was compulsory, it served a purpose central to Israel's identity and worship, prompting us to consider our own contributions to God's work today. Are we willing to contribute our time, talents, and resources, even when it feels like a "burden" or requires personal sacrifice, for the greater good of the community and the advancement of God's kingdom? This verse challenges us to move beyond mere individual piety to embrace the often-unseen, arduous, and collective work required to build up the body of Christ and bear witness to His truth in the world. It highlights that even the most sacred visions require diligent planning, immense labor, and the cooperation of many individuals, reminding us that God's grand designs are often realized through the faithful, sometimes demanding, work of His people.
Questions for Reflection
FAQ
Was this "levy" a form of slavery or forced labor?
Answer: The term "levy" (Hebrew: mas) refers to compulsory service or conscription for public works. While it was not chattel slavery in the sense of permanent ownership, it was indeed a form of forced labor, meaning individuals were required by royal decree to participate, rather than volunteering. This practice was common in ancient Near Eastern kingdoms for large state projects. However, it's important to note that 1 Kings 5:14 and 1 Kings 9:20-22 clarify that while Israelites were part of the mas, they were often organized into rotating shifts and were not subjected to the same harsh, permanent servitude as the non-Israelite populations or the kind of oppression experienced in Egypt (Exodus 1:11-14). The levy on Israelites was generally for a limited duration and specific tasks, often with periods at home, indicating a distinction from outright enslavement.
Why did Solomon need so many men for the Temple?
Answer: The Temple was an enormous and complex construction project, requiring vast amounts of raw materials (timber, stone) to be quarried, cut, transported over long distances, and then meticulously assembled. The "thirty thousand men" mentioned in 1 Kings 5:13 were specifically involved in the work in Lebanon, primarily felling trees and transporting timber. This number speaks to the sheer scale of the logistical challenge and the labor-intensive nature of ancient construction, where machinery was non-existent. Additionally, 1 Kings 5:15 mentions seventy thousand burden-bearers and eighty thousand stonecutters, indicating the total workforce was significantly larger. This monumental ambition and national importance of building God's house necessitated an unprecedented mobilization of human resources.
CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Kings 5:13 describes the physical construction of a magnificent Temple through immense human labor, its ultimate spiritual fulfillment is found in Christ. The earthly Temple, built with the collective effort of a national levy, was a shadow and symbol of God's dwelling among His people, a theme that culminates powerfully in Jesus. Christ Himself is the true Temple, the ultimate dwelling place of God among humanity, as declared in John 1:14 where the Word "tabernacled" among us, and explicitly stated by Jesus in John 2:19-21 when He spoke of destroying and raising the Temple of His body. He is the one who, through His perfect life, atoning death, and glorious resurrection, has built the spiritual house, the Church, not with forced labor or a burdensome levy, but with the voluntary, Spirit-empowered service of believers (1 Peter 2:5). Unlike the temporary, physical structure built by a levy of thirty thousand men, Christ's spiritual Temple is eternal, composed of living stones—believers united in Him, with Christ as the cornerstone (Ephesians 2:19-22). The heavy burden of the levy under Solomon contrasts sharply with the "easy yoke" and "light burden" offered by Christ to those who come to Him (Matthew 11:28-30), inviting willing service born of love and grace rather than obligation. The ultimate "levy" or cost for the building of God's eternal kingdom was paid by Christ Himself, who gave His life as a ransom for many, establishing a kingdom not of this world, but of eternal spiritual reality.