Solomon's Servants, often referred to in the context of the Old Testament, were a distinct group of individuals who played a significant role in the administration and functioning of King Solomon's kingdom. These servants were not merely household staff but were integral to the vast and complex operations of Solomon's reign, which was marked by unprecedented prosperity, extensive building projects, and international trade.

Biblical References and Role

The term "Solomon's Servants" is mentioned in several passages, notably in the books of Kings, Chronicles, and Ezra. In 1 Kings 9:20-21 , it is recorded that Solomon conscripted the remaining non-Israelite peoples in the land—Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites—as forced laborers. These individuals were not Israelites but were subjected to serve in various capacities under Solomon's rule. The passage states: "As for all the people who were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, who were not of the Israelites— their descendants who remained in the land, those whom the Israelites were unable to devote to destruction—Solomon conscripted these people to be forced laborers, as they are to this day."

In addition to these laborers, Solomon's Servants included skilled workers and officials who were responsible for the administration of his kingdom. 1 Kings 4:7 describes the organization of Solomon's officials: "Solomon had twelve governors over all Israel, who provided food for the king and his household. Each one made provision for one month of the year."

Significance in Solomon's Reign

Solomon's Servants were crucial to the success of his ambitious building projects, including the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem, his royal palace, and various other infrastructure projects. The labor force, drawn from the non-Israelite population, was essential in achieving the grandeur and scale of these projects. The use of forced labor, however, also sowed seeds of discontent that would later contribute to the division of the kingdom after Solomon's death.

The servants also played a role in the administration of Solomon's extensive trade networks. Solomon's wisdom and wealth attracted international attention, and his servants were instrumental in managing the logistics and operations of trade with other nations, such as the famed visit of the Queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:1-13).

Post-Exilic References

After the Babylonian exile, the term "Solomon's Servants" appears again in the context of the returnees to Jerusalem. In the book of Ezra, a list of those returning from exile includes "the descendants of Solomon's servants" (Ezra 2:55-58). This indicates that the descendants of those who served Solomon continued to be recognized as a distinct group even centuries later. Their inclusion in the list of returnees highlights their enduring identity and role within the community of Israel.

Theological Implications

From a theological perspective, Solomon's Servants illustrate the complexities of Israel's history and the fulfillment of God's promises amidst human governance. Solomon's reign, characterized by wisdom and wealth, also reflects the challenges of maintaining faithfulness to God's covenant when dealing with power and prosperity. The use of forced labor, while contributing to the kingdom's glory, also serves as a reminder of the ethical and spiritual responsibilities of leadership.

In summary, Solomon's Servants were a diverse group that played a vital role in the administration and achievements of Solomon's kingdom. Their legacy, as recorded in the Scriptures, provides insight into the dynamics of ancient Israelite society and the enduring impact of Solomon's reign.Solomon's Servants

SOLOMON'S SERVANTS

('adbhedhe shelomoh; douloi Salomon): "The children of Solomon's servants" constituted a company or guild of the Jewish exiles who returned with Zerubbabel from Babylonia to Jerusalem in 537 B.C., pursuant to the decree of Cyrus; they are mentioned 5 times (Ezra 2:55, 58 parallel Nehemiah 7:57, 60 Nehemiah 11:3). As the prime purpose of the returning exiles was the rebuilding of the Temple and the restoration of Yahweh's worship (Ezra 1:2, 3), it was important that those who held the privileges of sanctuary service as a family heritage should go back to their duties. This included, besides priests and Levites, the NETHINIM (which see) and Solomon's Servants. In every reference to them, Solomon's Servants are connected with the Nethinim, who had been "given" or dedicated (nethinim or nethunim is pass. participle of nathan, "to give," "to appoint") by David "for the service of the Levites (Ezra 8:20); so Solomon's Servants traced their official beginning back to Solomon's appointment, as their name indicates. In the joint references they always fall into the natural chronological order, i.e. following the Nethinim. It is possible, therefore, that they are referred to in Ezra 7:24 also, under the title "servants of this house of God," which immediately follows "Nethinim" in the list of those exempt from taxation and tolls.

What their duties in the house of God may have been is not stated in the records. These must have been more or less menial, the more formal and honorable duties being reserved for "the priests and Levites, the singers, (and) porters" (Ezra 7:24). When the ark was brought to Jerusalem by David and the ceremonial of the sacrificial system was more strictly observed, the services of priests and Levites were greatly increased, and to meet the needs of the new order David appointed the Nethinim (Ezra 8:20; compare 1 Chronicles 9:2). Likewise the much greater increase in such duties on the completion of Solomon's Temple was the occasion for the dedication of an additional number of these assistants to the Levites.

The number of those who returned with Zerubbabel was not great, together with the Nethinim being only 392. This does not appear to have been sufficient for the needs of the sanctuary, since Ezra, in preparation for his expedition in 458 B.C., made special appeal for Nethinim to go with him, of whom 220 responded (Ezra 8:15-20). No doubt at the first their service was considered to be lowly; but by the time of the exile, certainly after it, their position had developed into one of considerable honor and constituted them a privileged class in the nation. While many of the people were required by Nehemiah to live in Jerusalem, they were allowed to dwell in their possessions "in the cities of Judah" (Nehemiah 11:3).

A question of some interest and of difference of opinion is whether Solomon's Servants were Levites or non-Israelites. The latter view is the more generally held, for the following reasons; (1) After the completion of the Temple and his other great buildings a large body of workmen, whom Solomon had drafted from the non-Israelite population, were without occupation, and might well have been assigned to the menial duties of the Temple (1 Kings 9), their name in Septuagint (douloi) properly indicating such a class; (2) Ezekiel excludes non-Israelites from the service of his ideal temple, as though they had been allowed in the preexilic Temple (44:9); (3) they are always clearly distinguished from the Levites in the lists of religious bodies.

But, on the other hand, equally strong arguments favor their Levitical descent:

(1) Levites also are called douloi in 1 Esdras; (2) it is more probable that Ezekiel refers to the abuses of Athaliah, Ahaz and Manasseh than to the institutions of David and Solomon;

(3) Ezra specifically classifies the Nethinim as Levites (8:15-20);

(4) there is not the slightest intimation in the text of 1 Kings 9:15-22 that the Gentilebondservants were assigned to temple-service after completion of the great building operations; such an interpretation is wholly inferential, while, on the contrary, it is more probable that such an innovation would have been mentioned in the narrative; and

(5) it is not probable that Ezra and Nehemiah, or Zerubbabel, with their strict views of Israelite privilege (compare Ezra 2:62), would have admitted non-Israelites to sacred functions, the less so in view of Ezekiel's prohibition. There is more ground, then, for holding that Solomon's Servants, like the porters and singers, were an order of Levites.

Edward Mack

1435. Giddel -- "very great," one of the Nethinim, also one of ...
... "very great," one of the Nethinim, also one of Solomon's servants. Transliteration:
Giddel Phonetic Spelling: (ghid-dale') Short Definition: Giddel. ...
/hebrew/1435.htm - 6k

6514. Peruda -- an Israelite
... Perida, Peruda. Or Priyda {per-ee-daw'}; from parad; dispersion; Peruda or Perida,
one of "Solomon's servants" -- Perida, Peruda. see HEBREW parad. 6513, 6514 ...
/hebrew/6514.htm - 6k

2411. Chattil -- an Israelite
... Hattil. From an unused root apparently meaning to wave; fluctuating; Chattil, one
of "Solomon's servants" -- Hattil. 2410, 2411. Chattil. 2412 . ...
/hebrew/2411.htm - 5k

1874. Darqon -- one of the Nethinim
... 2). Darkon. Of uncertain derivation; Darkon, one of "Solomon's servants" --
Darkon. 1873, 1874. Darqon. 1875 . Strong's Numbers.
/hebrew/1874.htm - 5k

A Journey with Jesus.
... Upon these mountains grew the cedars that Solomon's servants cut down and
carried to Jerusalem for the building of the Holy House. ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxv a journey with.htm

Whether we Ought to Distinguish Several Orders?
... the order of" Solomon's "servants . . . she had no longer any spirit in
her," for she was breathless from admiration of his wisdom. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether we ought to distinguish 2.htm

Solomon's Repentance
... From the joy of divine communion, Solomon turned to find satisfaction in the pleasures
of sense. Of this experience he says: ... I got me servants and maidens: . ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 5 solomons repentance.htm

Great Preparations for a Great Work
... THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS GREAT PREPARATIONS FOR A GREAT WORK. 'And Hiram king of
Tyre sent his servants unto Solomon; for he had heard that they had anointed him ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/great preparations for a great.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... Who was to fell those trees, and to dig those stones, with which Solomon built the ...
the sons of Jacob nor of the house of Israel; they were the servants of Hiram ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

A Royal Seeker after Wisdom
... Then she envies the servants who wait on him, because they are so near the fountain,
and finally breaks into praise of Solomon's God, whose love to Israel was ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/a royal seeker after wisdom.htm

South -- the Image of God in Man
... attend upon the understanding, but as a favorite does upon his prince, where the
service is privilege and preferment; or as Solomon's servants waited upon him ...
/.../various/the worlds great sermons vol 2/south the image of.htm

The Building of the Golden House.
... Away up in the mountains of Lebanon they worked with the servants of Hiram, King ...
and fine linen came to Jerusalem to work on the temple, and Solomon sent Hiram ...
/.../lathbury/childs story of the bible/chapter xxvi the building of.htm

The Rending of the Kingdom
... King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men that had stood before Solomon his father ...
them, and speak good words to them, they will be thy servants forever." 2 ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 6 the rending of.htm

The Honored Servant
... There were some men in Solomon's day who for divers reasons became servants to
others"as there still are and always must be "and they looked for some ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/the honored servant.htm

Summary of the Book of Proverbs - Bible Survey | GotQuestions.org

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