1 Kings 9:23
They were also the chief officers over Solomon's projects: 550 supervisors over the people who did the work.
They were also the chief officers
This phrase refers to the leaders appointed by Solomon to oversee his extensive building projects. The Hebrew word for "chief officers" is "שָׂרֵי" (sarim), which denotes individuals of high rank and authority. In the context of ancient Israel, these officers were crucial for maintaining order and ensuring the successful completion of the king's ambitious plans. Their role underscores the importance of leadership and organization in achieving great tasks, reflecting the biblical principle that God often uses human leaders to accomplish His purposes.

over Solomon’s projects
Solomon's projects were vast and included the construction of the Temple, his palace, and various other public works. The Hebrew term for "projects" is "מְלָאכָה" (melachah), which can also mean "work" or "labor." This highlights the industrious nature of Solomon's reign, a time marked by prosperity and architectural achievement. The projects were not merely for Solomon's glory but were intended to honor God and establish a central place of worship for Israel. This serves as a reminder of the importance of dedicating our work to God's glory.

550 supervisors
The specific number of supervisors, 550, indicates the scale and complexity of the work being undertaken. The Hebrew word for "supervisors" is "נֹשְׂאֵי" (nosei), meaning those who bear responsibility or oversight. This reflects the structured and hierarchical nature of Solomon's administration. The precision in the number suggests a well-organized system, emphasizing the biblical value of order and accountability in stewardship.

over the people who did the work
This phrase highlights the division of labor and the importance of delegation. The Hebrew word for "people" is "עָם" (am), referring to the workforce involved in the construction projects. The phrase underscores the collaborative effort required to accomplish great tasks, with each person playing a vital role. It also reflects the biblical principle that while leaders are essential, the contributions of every individual are valuable and necessary for the success of the community.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
The king of Israel, known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem.

2. Chief Officers
These were the leaders or supervisors appointed by Solomon to oversee his various building projects.

3. 550 Supervisors
A specific number of officials tasked with managing the labor force involved in Solomon's extensive construction efforts.

4. The People
Refers to the laborers who were engaged in the work of Solomon's projects.

5. Solomon’s Projects
Includes the construction of the Temple, his palace, and other significant infrastructure in Israel.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Leadership and Delegation
Solomon's use of 550 supervisors demonstrates the necessity of effective leadership and delegation in managing large projects. This principle is applicable in various aspects of life, including church ministry and personal endeavors.

Organizational Structure in God's Work
The structured approach to Solomon's projects reflects the importance of order and organization in accomplishing God's purposes. This can be applied to how we organize our lives and ministries.

Stewardship of Resources
Solomon's administration of resources and labor highlights the biblical principle of stewardship. We are called to wisely manage the resources God has entrusted to us, whether they be time, talents, or material possessions.

The Role of Community in Accomplishing Goals
The collective effort of the supervisors and laborers underscores the value of community and teamwork in achieving significant goals. This is a reminder of the importance of working together in the body of Christ.
Bible Study Questions
1. How does Solomon's use of supervisors reflect the biblical principle of delegation, and how can we apply this principle in our own lives?

2. In what ways does the organizational structure of Solomon's projects inform our understanding of effective leadership in the church today?

3. How can we practice good stewardship of the resources God has given us, as seen in Solomon's administration of his building projects?

4. What lessons can we learn from the teamwork and community effort involved in Solomon's projects, and how can these lessons be applied in our local church or community?

5. How does the account of Solomon's supervisors connect with other biblical examples of leadership and delegation, such as Moses and the advice from Jethro?
Connections to Other Scriptures
1 Kings 5:13-18
Describes the labor force Solomon conscripted for the building of the Temple, highlighting the scale and organization of his projects.

2 Chronicles 8:10
Provides a parallel account of the number of chief officers, reinforcing the administrative structure of Solomon's reign.

Exodus 18:21-22
Jethro's advice to Moses about appointing capable men to help judge the people, illustrating the biblical principle of delegation and leadership.
The Reviewed CovenantJ. Waite
People
Amorites, Canaanites, David, Geber, Gibeon, Hiram, Hittites, Hivite, Hivites, Israelites, Jebusites, Ophir, Perizzites, Pharaoh, Solomon, Tamar
Places
Baalath, Beth-horon, Brook of Egypt, Cabul, Edom, Egypt, Eloth, Ezion-geber, Galilee, Gezer, Gibeon, Hazor, Jerusalem, Lebanon, Megiddo, Millo, Ophir, Red Sea, Tamar, Tyre
Topics
550, Bare, Bore, Carried, Charge, Chief, Chiefs, Fifty, Heads, Hundred, Labored, Labouring, Officers, Officials, Overseers, Projects, Rule, Ruled, Ruling, Solomon, Solomon's, Superintendents, Supervising, Wrought
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Kings 9:22

     5245   captain
     5489   rank

Library
Promises and Threatenings
'And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the Lord, and the king's house, and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do. 2. That the Lord appeared to Solomon the second time, as He had appeared unto him at Gibeon. 3. And the Lord said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before Me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put My name there for ever; and Mine eyes and Mine heart shall be there perpetually,
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Gadara
There was a double Gadara. One at the shore of the Mediterranean sea: that was first called Gezer, 1 Kings 9:15. In Josephus, "Simon destroyed the city Gazara, and Joppe, and Jamnia."--And in the Book of the Maccabees, "And he fortified Joppe, which is on the sea, and Gazara, which is on the borders of Azotus." At length, according to the idiom of the Syrian dialect, Zain passed into Daleth; and instead of Gazara, it was called Gadara. Hence Strabo, after the mention of Jamnia, saith, "and there
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Whether Solicitude Belongs to Prudence?
Objection 1: It would seem that solicitude does not belong to prudence. For solicitude implies disquiet, wherefore Isidore says (Etym. x) that "a solicitous man is a restless man." Now motion belongs chiefly to the appetitive power: wherefore solicitude does also. But prudence is not in the appetitive power, but in the reason, as stated above [2746](A[1]). Therefore solicitude does not belong to prudence. Objection 2: Further, the certainty of truth seems opposed to solicitude, wherefore it is related
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Prophecy Pertains to Knowledge?
Objection 1: It would seem that prophecy does not pertain to knowledge. For it is written (Ecclus. 48:14) that after death the body of Eliseus prophesied, and further on (Ecclus. 49:18) it is said of Joseph that "his bones were visited, and after death they prophesied." Now no knowledge remains in the body or in the bones after death. Therefore prophecy does not pertain to knowledge. Objection 2: Further, it is written (1 Cor. 14:3): "He that prophesieth, speaketh to men unto edification." Now speech
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether it is Lawful to Give and Receive Money for Spiritual Actions?
Objection 1: It seems that it is lawful to give and receive money for spiritual actions. The use of prophecy is a spiritual action. But something used to be given of old for the use of prophecy, as appears from 1 Kings 9:7,8, and 3 Kings 14:3. Therefore it would seem that it is lawful to give and receive money for a spiritual action. Objection 2: Further, prayer, preaching, divine praise, are most spiritual actions. Now money is given to holy persons in order to obtain the assistance of their prayers,
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Seven Seas According to the Talmudists, and the Four Rivers Compassing the Land.
"Seven seas (say they) and four rivers compass the land of Israel. I. The Great Sea, or the Mediterranean. II. The sea of Tiberias. III. The sea of Sodom. IV. The lake of Samocho... The three first named among the seven are sufficiently known, and there is no doubt of the fourth:--only the three names of it are not to be passed by. IV. 1. The Sibbichaean. The word seems to be derived from a bush. 2. ... 3. ... V. Perhaps the sandy sea. Which fits very well to the lake of Sirbon, joining the commentary
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

How to Split a Kingdom
And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king. 2. And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt); 3. That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, 4. Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

The Greater Prophets.
1. We have already seen (Chap. 15, Nos. 11 and 12) that from Moses to Samuel the appearances of prophets were infrequent; that with Samuel and the prophetical school established by him there began a new era, in which the prophets were recognized as a distinct order of men in the Theocracy; and that the age of written prophecy did not begin till about the reign of Uzziah, some three centuries after Samuel. The Jewish division of the latter prophets--prophets in the more restricted sense of the
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Beginning at Jerusalem
The whole verse runs thus: "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." The words were spoken by Christ, after he rose from the dead, and they are here rehearsed after an historical manner, but do contain in them a formal commission, with a special clause therein. The commission is, as you see, for the preaching of the gospel, and is very distinctly inserted in the holy record by Matthew and Mark. "Go teach all nations,"
John Bunyan—Jerusalem Sinner Saved

The Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
"On the western shore" (of the Asphaltites) "dwell the Essenes; whom persons, guilty of any crimes, fly from on every side. A nation it is that lives alone, and of all other nations in the whole world, most to be admired; they are without any woman; all lust banished, &c. Below these, was the town Engadda, the next to Jerusalem for fruitfulness, and groves of palm-trees, now another burying-place. From thence stands Massada, a castle in a rock, and this castle not far from the Asphaltites." Solinus,
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

In Galilee at the Time of Our Lord
"If any one wishes to be rich, let him go north; if he wants to be wise, let him come south." Such was the saying, by which Rabbinical pride distinguished between the material wealth of Galilee and the supremacy in traditional lore claimed for the academies of Judaea proper. Alas, it was not long before Judaea lost even this doubtful distinction, and its colleges wandered northwards, ending at last by the Lake of Gennesaret, and in that very city of Tiberias which at one time had been reputed unclean!
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
OR, GOOD NEWS FOR THE VILEST OF MEN; BEING A HELP FOR DESPAIRING SOULS, SHOWING THAT JESUS CHRIST WOULD HAVE MERCY IN THE FIRST PLACE OFFERED TO THE BIGGEST SINNERS. THE THIRD EDITION, IN WHICH IS ADDED, AN ANSWER TO THOSE GRAND OBJECTIONS THAT LIE IN THE WAY OF THE THEM THAT WOULD BELIEVE: FOR THE COMFORT OF THEM THAT FEAR THEY HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST. BY JOHN BUNYAN, OF BEDFORD. London: Printed for Elizabeth Smith, at the Hand and Bible, on London Bridge, 1691. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR.
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to Christians to be Holy. By John Bunyan.
Holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever.'--[Psalm 93:5] London, by B. W., for Benj. Alsop, at the Angel and Bible, in the Poultrey. 1684. THE EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. This is the most searching treatise that has ever fallen under our notice. It is an invaluable guide to those sincere Christians, who, under a sense of the infinite importance of the salvation of an immortal soul, and of the deceitfulness of their hearts, sigh and cry, "O Lord of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.),
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament

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