2 Chronicles 8:8

KJV

[But] of their children, who were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel consumed not, them did Solomon make to pay tribute until this day.

KJV (with Strong's)

But of their children {H1121}, who were left {H3498} after {H310} them in the land {H776}, whom the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478} consumed {H3615} not, them did Solomon {H8010} make to pay {H5927} tribute {H4522} until this day {H3117}.

Complete Jewish Bible

from their descendants remaining after them in the land, whom the people of Isra'el did not exterminate - from them Shlomo levied [his forced laborers], as it is to this day.

Berean Standard Bible

their descendants who remained in the land, those whom the Israelites were unable to destroy—Solomon conscripted these people to be forced laborers, as they are to this day.

American Standard Version

of their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel consumed not, of them did Solomon raise a levy of bondservants unto this day.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
Second Chronicles 8:8 details King Solomon's administrative policy regarding the non-Israelite populations who remained in the land after the initial conquest of Canaan. These descendants of the indigenous peoples, whom the Israelites had not utterly dispossessed or destroyed, were conscripted by Solomon to provide forced labor and tribute for his extensive building projects, a practice that continued "until this day" (referring to the time of the chronicler's writing). This verse highlights the practical consequences of Israel's incomplete obedience to God's commands and Solomon's pragmatic approach to resource management for his grand kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is situated within a broader section of 2 Chronicles (chapters 2-9) that meticulously details the reign of King Solomon, focusing heavily on his wisdom, immense wealth, and monumental building endeavors. Specifically, 2 Chronicles 8 outlines Solomon's various construction projects, including the Temple, his palace, and numerous fortified cities. Following the account of the Temple's dedication and the subsequent divine affirmation, the narrative shifts to the practicalities of maintaining such a vast enterprise. Verses 7-10 specifically address the labor force: 2 Chronicles 8:7-8 describe the conscription of non-Israelite peoples for forced labor, while 2 Chronicles 8:9 explicitly distinguishes this from Solomon's treatment of the Israelites, whom he did not enslave but appointed as officials, commanders, and supervisors. This juxtaposition underscores a deliberate administrative distinction based on ethnicity and covenantal status.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The practice described in 2 Chronicles 8:8, known as *corvée* labor (forced labor levied by the state), was a common feature of ancient Near Eastern empires and kingdoms. Rulers like the pharaohs of Egypt or the kings of Mesopotamia frequently utilized conquered or subject populations for massive public works, including temples, palaces, and fortifications. For Israel, the presence of these non-Israelite populations in the land stemmed from the incomplete conquest of Canaan, as documented in books like [Judges](/judges/1 "Judges 1 - Incomplete Conquests") and [Joshua](/joshua/17 "Joshua 17 - Remaining Canaanites"). Despite God's command to utterly drive out the inhabitants of the land (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:2](/deuteronomy/7-2 "Deuteronomy 7:2 - Command to Destroy Nations")), various Canaanite groups remained, often becoming tributaries or subjects. Solomon, inheriting this reality, formalized their status, integrating them into his economic and labor system.
* **Key Themes:** This verse contributes to several key themes within 2 Chronicles and the broader Old Testament narrative. Firstly, it underscores **Solomon's Power and Administration**, showcasing his immense authority and organizational capacity to levy extensive tribute and labor, which was crucial for the economic might and grandeur of his kingdom. Secondly, it highlights the **Consequences of Incomplete Obedience**. The phrase "whom the children of Israel consumed not" implicitly refers to God's earlier command to utterly drive out these nations. Israel's failure to fully obey this command, as seen throughout the book of [Judges](/judges/1 "Judges 1 - Incomplete Conquests"), resulted in these populations remaining, centuries later becoming a source of labor for the Israelite kingdom, a subtle theological commentary on the long-term ramifications of covenant disobedience. Lastly, it illustrates the **Economic Foundation** of Solomon's reign, demonstrating how forced labor (corvée) was a critical component in financing and executing his grand building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem, his palace, and numerous fortified cities throughout his kingdom, as also described in [1 Kings 9:15](/1_kings/9-15 "1 Kings 9:15 - Solomon's Building Projects").

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Tribute (Hebrew, _mas'_):** The Hebrew word מַס (_mas_) refers specifically to forced labor, corvée, or a levy of compulsory service, rather than merely a monetary payment. It denotes a system of mandatory, often arduous, service imposed by a ruler upon a subject population. This term is distinct from other forms of taxation or voluntary service and carries the connotation of a burden or imposition. Its use here emphasizes the non-consensual nature of the labor exacted from these non-Israelite peoples.
* **Consumed not (Hebrew, _kālâ'_):** The verb כָּלָה (_kālâ_), meaning "to complete, finish, bring to an end, consume, destroy," when used in the negative ("consumed not"), signifies that the Israelites did not utterly destroy, annihilate, or completely dispossess these inhabitants. This indicates that a surviving population remained within the land, contrary to the divine directives given during the conquest period. The Chronicler uses this phrase to provide a historical and theological explanation for the presence of these groups in Solomon's time.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"But of their children, who were left after them in the land":** This clause identifies the specific group being discussed: the descendants of the original inhabitants of Canaan who had survived the Israelite conquest. It emphasizes that these were not new foreign invaders, but long-standing residents, whose presence was a legacy of earlier periods.
* **"whom the children of Israel consumed not":** This parenthetical yet crucial phrase explains *why* these peoples were still in the land. It directly references Israel's incomplete obedience to God's command to utterly dispossess or destroy the Canaanite nations. This failure, documented extensively in the book of Judges, created a demographic reality that Solomon later leveraged.
* **"them did Solomon make to pay tribute until this day":** This final clause describes Solomon's policy towards these remaining non-Israelites. He subjected them to *mas*, or forced labor/tribute. The phrase "until this day" is a Chronicler's editorial note, indicating that this system or the memory of it persisted up to the time of the Chronicler's writing, highlighting the long-term impact of Solomon's administrative decisions and Israel's historical choices.

#### Literary Devices
The Chronicler employs several literary devices in 2 Chronicles 8:8. **Historical Narration** is the primary mode, presenting a factual account of Solomon's reign and his administrative policies. Within this, there is a significant **Parenthetical Remark** ("whom the children of Israel consumed not"), which serves as a crucial explanatory aside. This parenthetical statement provides a theological and historical justification for the presence of these foreign populations, subtly referencing past disobedience and its long-term consequences. The phrase "until this day" functions as a **Chronistic Device**, connecting the historical event to the Chronicler's contemporary audience, emphasizing the enduring legacy of Solomon's actions and the historical continuity of the situation. This also implies a degree of **Retrospection**, inviting the reader to recall earlier narratives of the conquest and the directives given to Israel.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
2 Chronicles 8:8, while seemingly a straightforward administrative detail, carries significant theological weight. It serves as a stark reminder of the long-term consequences of incomplete obedience to God's commands. The presence of these non-Israelite peoples, whom God had commanded to be driven out, became a source of labor for the kingdom, but also a potential source of spiritual compromise and idolatry, as seen throughout Israel's history. Solomon's utilization of these groups highlights the pragmatic, often ethically complex, realities of ancient kingship and state-building, contrasting with the ideal of a nation wholly devoted to God. It raises questions about justice, power, and the treatment of marginalized or subject populations, even within a divinely ordained kingdom.

* [Deuteronomy 7:2](/deuteronomy/7-2 "Deuteronomy 7:2 - Command to Utterly Destroy")
* [Judges 1:21](/judges/1-21 "Judges 1:21 - Incomplete Conquest of Jerusalem")
* [1 Kings 9:20-21](/1_kings/9-20 "1 Kings 9:20-21 - Solomon's Labor Force")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
This verse, though describing an ancient practice, offers profound insights for contemporary reflection. It reminds us that past decisions, particularly those involving incomplete obedience or compromise, can have far-reaching and unintended consequences that shape future generations and societal structures. Solomon's reliance on forced labor from a subjugated population prompts us to examine the ethical dimensions of power, resource management, and the treatment of different societal groups in our own contexts. It challenges us to consider how we build our "kingdoms" — whether personal, professional, or communal — and whether our methods align with principles of justice, equity, and compassion, especially towards the vulnerable or those perceived as "other." The text subtly critiques the pragmatism that prioritizes grand achievements over strict adherence to divine principles, urging us to consider the moral costs of our ambitions.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what areas of my life might incomplete obedience or past compromises be creating ongoing challenges or ethical dilemmas?**
* **How do I, or my community, utilize resources (including human resources) in ways that are just and compassionate, especially towards those who may be marginalized or in a less powerful position?**
* **What "grand projects" or ambitions might I be pursuing, and am I sufficiently considering the ethical implications and potential "tribute" exacted from others in their pursuit?**
* **How does the long-term impact of historical decisions, as seen in this verse, inform my understanding of societal issues today?**

### FAQ
**What does "make to pay tribute" mean in this context?**

Answer: In 2 Chronicles 8:8, "make to pay tribute" translates the Hebrew word *mas* (מַס), which specifically refers to a levy of forced labor or corvée. This was not merely a monetary tax, but a system of compulsory service, often involving arduous physical work on royal building projects. Solomon conscripted these non-Israelite populations to provide the manual labor necessary for his extensive construction endeavors, such as the Temple, his palace, and fortified cities, as mentioned in [1 Kings 9:15](/1_kings/9-15 "1 Kings 9:15 - Solomon's Building Projects"). This practice was common among ancient Near Eastern empires.

**Why were these "children" (descendants of non-Israelites) still in the land?**

Answer: The verse explicitly states that these were peoples "whom the children of Israel consumed not." This refers to the incomplete conquest of Canaan during the time of Joshua and the Judges. God had commanded Israel to utterly drive out or destroy the inhabitants of the land to prevent idolatry and moral corruption (e.g., [Deuteronomy 7:2](/deuteronomy/7-2 "Deuteronomy 7:2 - Command to Destroy Nations")). However, as documented in books like [Judges](/judges/1 "Judges 1 - Incomplete Conquests"), Israel failed to fully obey this command, allowing various Canaanite groups to remain. Centuries later, their descendants formed a significant population within the land, which Solomon then utilized for his labor force.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
While 2 Chronicles 8:8 describes the pragmatic, yet ethically complex, administration of an earthly king, it subtly points to the need for a greater King and a more perfect kingdom. Solomon's kingdom, built upon the forced labor of a subjugated people (a consequence of Israel's incomplete obedience to God's commands), stands in stark contrast to the kingdom of God inaugurated by Christ. Jesus, the true Son of David, does not build His kingdom through forced labor or the subjugation of "others" but through voluntary service motivated by love and grace. He comes not to exact tribute but to pay the ultimate tribute, offering His life as a ransom for many ([Mark 10:45](/mark/10-45 "Mark 10:45 - The Ransom for Many")). The "tribute" Christ demands is not forced labor but the willing surrender of our lives in joyful service, a "reasonable worship" ([Romans 12:1](/romans/12-1 "Romans 12:1 - Living Sacrifice")). Unlike Solomon's kingdom, which faced internal division and eventual collapse, Christ's kingdom is eternal and built on perfect justice and complete redemption, where all are invited as co-heirs, not as subjects of forced labor ([Romans 8:17](/romans/8-17 "Romans 8:17 - Heirs with Christ")). The failure of Israel to "consume" or fully dispossess the nations, leading to ongoing issues, is ultimately overcome in Christ, who perfectly fulfills God's mission, breaking down dividing walls and uniting all peoples into one new humanity through His sacrifice ([Ephesians 2:14-16](/ephesians/2-14 "Ephesians 2:14-16 - Peace Through the Cross")).

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 4:6

And Ahishar [was] over the household: and Adoniram the son of Abda [was] over the tribute.

1 Kings 9:21

Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day.

Joshua 16:10

And they drave not out the Canaanites that dwelt in Gezer: but the Canaanites dwell among the Ephraimites unto this day, and serve under tribute.

1 Kings 5:13

And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand men.

1 Kings 5:14

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.

Joshua 17:13

Yet it came to pass, when the children of Israel were waxen strong, that they put the Canaanites to tribute; but did not utterly drive them out.

Psalms 106:34

¶ They did not destroy the nations, concerning whom the LORD commanded them: