1 Kings 9:23

KJV

These [were] the chief of the officers that [were] over Solomon's work, five hundred and fifty, which bare rule over the people that wrought in the work.

KJV (with Strong's)

These were the chief {H8269} of the officers {H5324} that were over Solomon's {H8010} work {H4399}, five {H2568} hundred {H3967} and fifty {H2572}, which bare rule {H7287} over the people {H5971} that wrought {H6213} in the work {H4399}.

Complete Jewish Bible

There were 550 chief officers over Shlomo's work, in charge of the workers.

Berean Standard Bible

They were also the chief officers over Solomon’s projects: 550 supervisors over the people who did the work.

American Standard Version

These were the chief officers that were over Solomon’s work, five hundred and fifty, who bare rule over the people that wrought in the work.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 9:23 provides a specific detail about King Solomon's extensive administrative hierarchy, identifying 550 chief officers who held significant authority over the vast non-Israelite labor force engaged in his monumental building projects. This verse underscores the immense scale of Solomon's undertakings and the sophisticated organizational structure required to manage such a kingdom-wide enterprise, highlighting the delegation of authority necessary for the successful completion of the Temple, his palace, and other significant constructions.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse appears within a broader section (1 Kings 9:10-28) that summarizes Solomon's accomplishments after the completion of the Temple and his own palace, a period spanning twenty years. Immediately preceding it, verses 20-21 clarify that the primary workforce for these massive construction projects consisted of the descendants of the non-Israelite peoples whom the Israelites had not utterly destroyed, conscripted into forced labor. Verse 22 explicitly states that Solomon did not enslave any Israelites for this work, reserving them for military and administrative roles. Thus, verse 23 logically follows by specifying the number and role of the highest-ranking supervisors for this foreign labor force, distinguishing them from the larger body of overseers mentioned elsewhere, such as the 3,300 in [1 Kings 5:16](/1-kings/5-16 "1 Kings 5:16 - Solomon's Officers") or the 3,600 in [2 Chronicles 2:18](/2-chronicles/2-18 "2 Chronicles 2:18 - Overseers in Judah"). It provides a precise figure for the ultimate echelon of management.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Solomon's reign (c. 970-931 BC) was characterized by unprecedented peace, prosperity, and extensive building programs, including the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem, his royal palace, fortifications, and store cities. Such immense projects required a vast labor pool and a highly organized administrative structure. The practice of conscripting conquered or subjugated peoples for public works was common in the ancient Near East (e.g., Egypt, Mesopotamia). Solomon's use of non-Israelite forced labor, while ethically complex from a modern perspective, was a standard practice for large-scale state enterprises of his era. The existence of a stratified bureaucracy with various levels of officers and supervisors was essential for managing the logistics, resources, and human capital involved in a kingdom of Solomon's size and ambition.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several overarching themes in the book of [1 Kings](/1-kings/1 "The Book of 1 Kings - Solomon's Reign and the Divided Kingdom"). Firstly, it highlights Solomon's **effective administration and organizational prowess**, demonstrating his ability to manage a vast kingdom and execute monumental projects. The sheer number of officers points to the colossal **scale of his building programs** and the immense labor force involved, reflecting the unprecedented wealth and power of his reign, as prophesied in [2 Samuel 7](/2-samuel/7 "2 Samuel 7 - The Davidic Covenant"). Secondly, it underscores the theme of **leadership and oversight**, emphasizing that successful large-scale endeavors require clear lines of authority and diligent supervision. These "chief officers" were not mere figureheads but actively "bare rule over the people," ensuring the efficient execution of Solomon's vision, a principle echoed in the wisdom literature attributed to him (e.g., [Proverbs 11:14](/proverbs/11-14 "Proverbs 11:14 - Wisdom in Counsel")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Chief (Hebrew, _ra'shei'_):** Literally meaning "heads" or "first ones," this term denotes their preeminent position within the administrative hierarchy. These 550 individuals were not just officers, but the highest-ranking, most important leaders directly responsible for the overall management of the labor force. Their designation as "chief" underscores their authority and the critical nature of their supervisory role in Solomon's vast enterprises.
* **Bare rule (Hebrew, _radah'_):** This verb signifies more than simple oversight or supervision; it implies active dominion, authority, and control. It is often used in the Old Testament to describe ruling, reigning, or having mastery over something (e.g., [Genesis 1:26](/genesis/1-26 "Genesis 1:26 - Humanity's Dominion")). In this context, it indicates that these officers exercised direct power, direction, and discipline over the workers, ensuring compliance and productivity. They were managers with true executive power.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"These [were] the chief of the officers that [were] over Solomon's work":** This clause introduces the specific group of administrators under discussion. It clearly identifies them as the "chief" or highest-ranking officers, indicating a structured hierarchy within Solomon's vast bureaucracy. Their primary responsibility was "Solomon's work," which encompasses the extensive building projects—the Temple, his palace, fortifications, and other infrastructure—that defined his reign and required immense coordination.
* **"five hundred and fifty":** This precise numerical detail provides the exact count of these elite supervisors. The specificity of the number suggests meticulous record-keeping and highlights the significant number of top-tier managers required for the scale of Solomon's operations. This figure is distinct from other numbers of overseers mentioned in parallel accounts, likely referring to a specific, high-level echelon of leadership.
* **"which bare rule over the people that wrought in the work":** This final clause clarifies the function and scope of authority of these 550 officers. They were not merely administrators but actively "bare rule" (exercised dominion and control) over "the people that wrought in the work"—the large, conscripted foreign labor force. This emphasizes their direct involvement in managing, directing, and ensuring the productivity of the thousands of laborers engaged in Solomon's monumental construction efforts.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Precision** through the specific number "five hundred and fifty," lending a sense of historical accuracy and meticulous record-keeping to the account of Solomon's administration. This numerical detail contrasts with more general descriptions, emphasizing the organized nature of his kingdom. **Emphasis** is achieved through the phrase "chief of the officers," highlighting the elite status and significant authority of this particular group within the broader administrative structure. The use of the verb "bare rule" (radah) further employs **Connotation**, as it carries a stronger sense of active dominion and control than a more neutral term like "supervised," underscoring the power and direct influence these officers wielded over the labor force.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse, while seemingly a mundane administrative detail, subtly reinforces the theological theme of divine blessing manifesting in human organization and capability. Solomon's ability to manage such a vast and complex enterprise speaks to the wisdom God had granted him ([1 Kings 3:12](/1-kings/3-12 "1 Kings 3:12 - God Grants Solomon Wisdom")). The order and structure evident in his administration reflect a divine principle: God is a God of order, not of confusion ([1 Corinthians 14:33](/1-corinthians/14-33 "1 Corinthians 14:33 - God of Order")). The meticulous organization required for building the Temple, God's dwelling place, parallels the divine design and precision evident in creation itself. Furthermore, the reliance on a hierarchical structure for efficient work foreshadows the importance of leadership and delegated authority within God's people, both in ancient Israel and in the New Testament church.

* [Exodus 18:21](/exodus/18-21 "Exodus 18:21 - Jethro's Counsel on Delegation")
* [Proverbs 29:2](/proverbs/29-2 "Proverbs 29:2 - Righteous Rule and Joy")
* [Romans 13:1](/romans/13-1 "Romans 13:1 - Submission to Governing Authorities")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
1 Kings 9:23, though brief, offers profound insights into the principles of effective leadership, management, and the execution of large-scale visions. Solomon's kingdom, blessed by God, still required diligent human administration and a robust organizational structure to translate divine favor into tangible accomplishments. This verse reminds us that even when pursuing God-given goals, practical wisdom, delegation, and clear lines of authority are indispensable. It underscores the value of those who manage and direct the efforts of others, ensuring accountability and efficiency. In any endeavor—be it a church ministry, a business, or a community project—the establishment of capable and authoritative leadership is foundational to achieving significant, impactful work. It encourages us to appreciate the often-unseen work of administration and oversight that underpins successful collective efforts.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **How does the emphasis on "chief officers" and their role in "bearing rule" challenge or affirm our understanding of leadership in both sacred and secular contexts today?**
* **What can we learn from Solomon's administrative structure about the importance of delegation and clear lines of authority in achieving complex goals?**
* **In what ways does the need for human organization, even in a divinely blessed kingdom, highlight the practical aspects of stewardship and responsibility?**

### FAQ
**What is the significance of the number 550?**

Answer: The number 550 in [1 Kings 9:23](/1-kings/9-23 "1 Kings 9:23 - Solomon's Chief Officers") specifically refers to the "chief of the officers" who "bare rule over the people that wrought in the work." This is a distinct and higher echelon of supervisors compared to other numbers mentioned in parallel accounts, such as the 3,300 in [1 Kings 5:16](/1-kings/5-16 "1 Kings 5:16 - Solomon's Officers") or the 3,600 in [2 Chronicles 2:18](/2-chronicles/2-18 "2 Chronicles 2:18 - Overseers in Judah"). While the exact relationship between these numbers is debated among scholars (e.g., whether 550 is a subset of the larger groups, or a separate, elite command structure), its significance lies in highlighting the meticulous organization and the sheer number of high-level managers required for Solomon's massive building projects. It emphasizes the scale of his administrative capabilities and the hierarchy necessary to manage a vast, conscripted labor force.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 1 Kings 9:23 details the administrative structure of Solomon's earthly kingdom, it subtly points forward to the ultimate, perfectly administered kingdom of God under Christ. Solomon's reign, marked by unparalleled wisdom, wealth, and extensive building, was a foreshadowing of the greater King and builder to come. Just as Solomon's 550 chief officers "bare rule over the people" to bring his earthly vision to fruition, Christ, as the [King of kings and Lord of lords](/revelation/19-16 "Revelation 19:16 - King of Kings"), establishes and perfectly governs His eternal kingdom. The order and structure seen in Solomon's administration find their ultimate perfection in the divine order of Christ's rule, where every member of His body, the Church, is perfectly placed and empowered by the [Holy Spirit](/john/14-26 "John 14:26 - The Holy Spirit as Teacher") to fulfill His purposes ([Ephesians 4:11-16](/ephesians/4-11 "Ephesians 4:11-16 - Gifts for the Church's Growth")). Unlike Solomon's kingdom, built with forced labor, Christ's kingdom is built by willing, Spirit-empowered servants, united under His perfect headship ([Colossians 1:18](/colossians/1-18 "Colossians 1:18 - Christ as Head of the Church")). The meticulous management of Solomon's projects ultimately points to the flawless, eternal administration of salvation and redemption orchestrated by Christ, who is both the architect and the cornerstone of a spiritual house not made with human hands ([1 Peter 2:5](/1-peter/2-5 "1 Peter 2:5 - Living Stones, Spiritual House")).

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 5:16

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.

2 Chronicles 8:10

And these [were] the chief of king Solomon's officers, [even] two hundred and fifty, that bare rule over the people.

2 Chronicles 2:18

And he set threescore and ten thousand of them [to be] bearers of burdens, and fourscore thousand [to be] hewers in the mountain, and three thousand and six hundred overseers to set the people a work.