Three thousand &c. — Whereof three thousand were set over the fifteen hundred thousand, expressed 1 Kings 5:15, each of these, over fifty of them, and the odd three hundred were set over these three thousand, each of these to have the oversight of ten of them, to take an account of the work for them. But in 2 Chronicles 2:18, these overseers are said to be thirty — six hundred. The three thousand added in 2 Chronicles 2:2, might be a reserve, to supply the places of the other three thousand: yea, or of the thirty — three hundred, as any of them should be taken off from the work by death, or sickness, or weakness, or necessary occasions; which was a prudent provision, and not unusual in like cases. And so there were thirty — six hundred commissioned for the work, but only thirty — three hundred employed at one time; and therefore both computations fairly stand together.
Related Commentaries of 1 Kings 5:16
1 Kings 5:16
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.