Of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bond-men He spared them, and did not employ them in any servile labours about his public works, but put them into nobler offices, as it here follows. They were men of war Which was accounted an honourable employment. And his servants Officers in his court. And his princes Governors of provinces. And his captains, &c. Commanders of his guards. Five hundred and fifty In 2 Chronicles 8:10, they are said to be but two hundred and fifty. But perhaps the meaning there is, that there were two hundred and fifty set over those that wrought in the temple; the rest probably being employed in overseeing his public works in other places. And it must be observed also, that there were far greater numbers employed when the temple work was carried on with great speed.
Related Commentaries of 1 Kings 9:22
1 Kings 9:22-23
22 But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen: but they were men of war, and his servants, and his princes, and his captains, and rulers of his chariots, and his horsemen.
23 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.