Verse:
1 Kings 9:23 · "They were also the chief officers over Solomon’s projects: 550 supervisors over the people who did the work."

Context and Background:
1 Kings 9:23 is situated within the narrative of King Solomon's reign, specifically focusing on the administrative and construction achievements during his rule. This chapter follows the completion of the Temple in Jerusalem, a monumental project that Solomon undertook to honor the covenant between God and Israel. The verse highlights the organizational structure that Solomon implemented to manage the extensive labor force required for his numerous building projects.

Analysis:
The verse identifies 550 chief officers who were appointed as supervisors over the laborers. These officers played a crucial role in ensuring the efficient execution of Solomon's ambitious construction endeavors, which included not only the Temple but also his royal palace, fortifications, and various other public works.

The mention of these supervisors underscores the scale and complexity of Solomon's projects. It reflects the administrative acumen necessary to manage such a vast workforce, which included both Israelites and foreign laborers. The organization of labor was essential to maintain order and productivity, ensuring that the projects were completed to the king's specifications.

Theological Significance:
From a theological perspective, this verse illustrates the fulfillment of God's promise to David regarding his son Solomon, who would build a house for God's Name (2 Samuel 7:13). The successful completion of these projects, under the guidance of these supervisors, signifies the divine blessing and wisdom bestowed upon Solomon. It also serves as a testament to the importance of order and leadership in accomplishing God's purposes.

Historical and Cultural Insights:
In the ancient Near Eastern context, large-scale building projects were a common way for kings to demonstrate their power and legacy. Solomon's extensive building program not only solidified his political and economic influence but also established Jerusalem as a central place of worship and governance. The use of a structured hierarchy of supervisors reflects the administrative practices of the time, which were necessary to manage resources and labor effectively.

Practical Application:
This verse can inspire modern readers to appreciate the value of leadership and organization in achieving significant goals. It highlights the importance of appointing capable individuals to oversee and guide collective efforts, ensuring that tasks are completed efficiently and effectively. In a broader sense, it encourages believers to recognize and utilize their God-given talents and positions to contribute to the fulfillment of divine purposes in their communities.

In summary, 1 Kings 9:23 provides insight into the administrative prowess of Solomon's reign, the fulfillment of divine promises, and the enduring importance of leadership and organization in accomplishing great works.550 (1 Occurrence)

1 Kings 9:23
These were the chief officers who were over Solomon's work, five hundred fifty, who bore rule over the people who labored in the work.
(See NIV)

550 (1 Occurrence)
... Multi-Version Concordance 550 (1 Occurrence). 1 Kings 9:23 These were the
chief officers who were over Solomon's work, five hundred ...
/num/550.htm - 6k

Persian (4 Occurrences)
... writers. II. Old Persian Inscriptions. These fall between 550 and 330
BC, and contain about 1,000 lines and 400 words. They are ...
/p/persian.htm - 45k

Kings (350 Occurrences)
... of Israel" in a "first edition of the Books of Kings." (3) The first edition of
Samuel, the first edition of Kings and Isaiah stories (before 550 BC) were ...
/k/kings.htm - 61k

595 (1 Occurrence)

/num/595.htm - 6k

530 (1 Occurrence)

/num/530.htm - 6k

Astyages
... I, king of the Medes 585-550 BC, and predecessor of Cyrus (Bel and the Dragon
verse 1): His wife was the daughter of Alyattes, king of Lydia. ...
/a/astyages.htm - 8k

Sweat (3 Occurrences)
... in 1870. For references to these cases see the article "Stigmatization"
in Encyclopedia Britannica (11th edition), XXII, 550. It ...
/s/sweat.htm - 14k

Bloody (19 Occurrences)
... in 1870. For references to these cases see the article "Stigmatization"
in Encyclopedia Britannica (11th edition), XXII, 550. It ...
/b/bloody.htm - 17k

Weights (14 Occurrences)
... Hebrews reckoned only 50 shekels to the maneh, as appears from Exodus 38:25, 26,
where it is stated that the amount of silver collected from 603, 550 males was ...
/w/weights.htm - 21k

How did Noah fit all the animals on the Ark? | GotQuestions.org

What is the middle verse of the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Who were the authors of the books of the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus