1 Kings 9:21
Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day.
Original Language Analysis
בְּנֵ֥י
Their children
H1121
בְּנֵ֥י
Their children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
1 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֨ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
2 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
נֹֽתְר֤וּ
that were left
H3498
נֹֽתְר֤וּ
that were left
Strong's:
H3498
Word #:
3 of 18
to jut over or exceed; by implication, to excel; (intransitively) to remain or be left; causatively to leave, cause to abound, preserve
אַֽחֲרֵיהֶם֙
after
H310
אַֽחֲרֵיהֶם֙
after
Strong's:
H310
Word #:
4 of 18
properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses)
בָּאָ֔רֶץ
them in the land
H776
בָּאָ֔רֶץ
them in the land
Strong's:
H776
Word #:
5 of 18
the earth (at large, or partitively a land)
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
H834
אֲשֶׁ֧ר
Strong's:
H834
Word #:
6 of 18
who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc
לֹֽא
H3808
לֹֽא
Strong's:
H3808
Word #:
7 of 18
not (the simple or abs. negation); by implication, no; often used with other particles
יָכְל֛וּ
also were not able
H3201
יָכְל֛וּ
also were not able
Strong's:
H3201
Word #:
8 of 18
to be able, literally (can, could) or morally (may, might)
בְּנֵ֥י
Their children
H1121
בְּנֵ֥י
Their children
Strong's:
H1121
Word #:
9 of 18
a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
H3478
יִשְׂרָאֵ֖ל
of Israel
Strong's:
H3478
Word #:
10 of 18
he will rule as god; jisral, a symbolical name of jacob; also (typically) of his posterity
לְהַֽחֲרִימָ֑ם
utterly to destroy
H2763
לְהַֽחֲרִימָ֑ם
utterly to destroy
Strong's:
H2763
Word #:
11 of 18
to seclude; specifically (by a ban) to devote to religious uses (especially destruction); physical and reflexive, to be blunt as to the nose
וַיַּֽעֲלֵ֤ם
levy
H5927
וַיַּֽעֲלֵ֤ם
levy
Strong's:
H5927
Word #:
12 of 18
to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative
לְמַס
a tribute
H4522
לְמַס
a tribute
Strong's:
H4522
Word #:
14 of 18
properly, a burden (as causing to faint), i.e., a tax in the form of forced labor
עֹבֵ֔ד
of bondservice
H5647
עֹבֵ֔ד
of bondservice
Strong's:
H5647
Word #:
15 of 18
to work (in any sense); by implication, to serve, till, (causatively) enslave, etc
עַ֖ד
H5704
עַ֖ד
Strong's:
H5704
Word #:
16 of 18
as far (or long, or much) as, whether of space (even unto) or time (during, while, until) or degree (equally with)
Cross References
Joshua 15:63As for the Jebusites the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the children of Judah could not drive them out: but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Judah at Jerusalem unto this day.Joshua 17:12Yet the children of Manasseh could not drive out the inhabitants of those cities; but the Canaanites would dwell in that land.Judges 1:21And the children of Benjamin did not drive out the Jebusites that inhabited Jerusalem; but the Jebusites dwell with the children of Benjamin in Jerusalem unto this day.Nehemiah 7:57The children of Solomon's servants: the children of Sotai, the children of Sophereth, the children of Perida,Nehemiah 11:3Now these are the chief of the province that dwelt in Jerusalem: but in the cities of Judah dwelt every one in his possession in their cities, to wit, Israel, the priests, and the Levites, and the Nethinims, and the children of Solomon's servants.
Historical Context
First Kings was written during or after the Babylonian exile (6th century BCE), reflecting on the monarchy period (10th-9th centuries BCE) to explain why the kingdoms fell. Solomon's reign (c. 970-930 BCE) represented Israel's golden age of peace and prosperity.
Ancient Near Eastern kingship ideology viewed kings as divine representatives responsible for maintaining cosmic order through right worship. Archaeological discoveries from sites like Megiddo, Hazor, and Samaria confirm the historical reliability of 1 Kings' descriptions of building projects and administrative structures.
Questions for Reflection
- How did Solomon's disobedience to God's clear commands lead to his downfall, and what warnings does this provide?
- What role do relationships and alliances play in either strengthening or compromising our faith?
- How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?
Related Resources
Explore related topics, people, and study resources to deepen your understanding of this passage.
Analysis & Commentary
Their children that were left after them in the land, whom the children of Israel also were not able utterly to destroy, upon those did Solomon levy a tribute of bondservice unto this day.
This verse contributes to the broader narrative of god's covenant with solomon and his building projects, within the book's focus on Solomon's wisdom, temple building, and tragic apostasy.
The Hebrew text reveals nuances important for understanding this passage's contribution to 1 Kings' theological message about kingship, covenant, and faithfulness to Yahweh. This verse demonstrates the consequences when God's people—especially their leaders—either follow or forsake the covenant established at Sinai.