(b) THE FORCED LABOUR OF THE CANAANITES
(2 Chronicles 8:7-10).
With this section comp. 1 Kings 9:20-23, and the Notes there. In Kings it stands in more obvious connection with what precedes; for there the account of Solomon’s buildings is headed by the words, “And this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised, for to build the house of the Lord,” &c. (1 Kings 9:15).
(7) As for all the people that were left. — The verse agrees with 1 Kings 9:20.
(8) But. — Omit. The of also is wanting in 1 Kings 9:21. So Syriac, but not LXX. and Vulgate.
Consumed not. — 1 Samuel 15:18. Kings, “were not able to exterminate.” The chronicler’s reading is probably due to the fading of letters in his MS. authority.
Them did Solomon make to pay tribute. — On them did Solomon levy a tribute. Kings has the fuller expression, mas ‘ôbçd, “tribute of labourers.” “Solomon en fit de levées pour la corvée” (Reuss).
(9) But of the children of Israel. — See 1 Kings 9:22. The Heb. text has the relative (‘asher) after “children of Israel.” But some few MSS., and the ancient versions, omit it. It is, perhaps, an accidental repetition from the beginning of 2 Chronicles 8:8.
According to Diod. Sic. i. 56, Sesostris (Rameses II.), the great Egyptian monarch, was wont to inscribe over the temples he built, “No native hath laboured hereon.”
After “men of war,” Kings adds, “and his servants,” which is omitted here as unsuitable, after the preceding statement. It means, however, courtiers and officers.
Chief of his captains. — Heb., captains of his knights; which appears to be incorrect. Read, “his captains and his knights,” or “aides-de-camp.” as in Kings. LXX., καὶ ἄρχοντες καὶ δυνατοὶ.
(10) The chief of king Solomon’s officers. — “Captains of the overseers,” or “prefects,” i.e., chief overseers, or inspectors of works (Comp. 1 Chronicles 18:13, and 2 Chronicles 17:2, for the word n’çîbîm, prefects.) The Heb. margin suggests niççabîm, the word used in Kings.
King Solomon’s. — Literally, Who were to king Solomon. Kings, who were over the work for Solomon. Clearly the latter has been corrupted into the form presented by our text through a confusion of mĕlâkâh, “work,” with mèlek, “king.”
Two hundred and fifty. — See 2 Chronicles 2:17, and 1 Kings 9:23. In the latter place 550 is the number. The number here is an error of transcription, דנ, i.e., 550, having been mistaken for ונ, i.e., 250 (Kennicott).
Bare rule. — They were taskmasters. (Comp. Syriac, “who made the people work who were working at the works.”)
The people — i.e., the Canaanite remnant (2 Chronicles 8:7). Kings adds, who were labouring at the work. (See Syriac.)