King James Version

What Does 1 Kings 9:15 Mean?

1 Kings 9:15 in the King James Version says “And this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised; for to build the house of the LORD, and his own house, and... — study this verse from 1 Kings chapter 9 with commentary, cross-references, and original Hebrew word analysis.

And this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised; for to build the house of the LORD, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer.

1 Kings 9:15 · KJV


Context

13

And he said, What cities are these which thou hast given me, my brother? And he called them the land of Cabul unto this day. Cabul: that is, displeasing, or, dirty

14

And Hiram sent to the king sixscore talents of gold.

15

And this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised; for to build the house of the LORD, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer.

16

For Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up, and taken Gezer, and burnt it with fire, and slain the Canaanites that dwelt in the city, and given it for a present unto his daughter, Solomon's wife.

17

And Solomon built Gezer, and Bethhoron the nether,


Commentary

KJV Study Commentary
And this is the reason of the levy which king Solomon raised; for to build the house of the LORD, and his own house, and Millo, and the wall of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer.

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 temple represents God's dwelling among His people and foreshadows Christ as Immanuel ('God with us').

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.

KJV Study — Public Domain

Historical & Cultural 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.

Reflection Questions

  1. How did Solomon's disobedience to God's clear commands lead to his downfall, and what warnings does this provide?
  2. What role do relationships and alliances play in either strengthening or compromising our faith?
  3. How does this verse point toward or prepare for the coming of Christ and His eternal kingdom?

Original Language Analysis

Hebrew · 24 words
וְזֶ֨ה1 of 24
H2088

the masculine demonstrative pronoun, this or that

דְבַר2 of 24

And this is the reason

H1697

a word; by implication, a matter (as spoken of) or thing; adverbially, a cause

הַמַּ֜ס3 of 24

of the levy

H4522

properly, a burden (as causing to faint), i.e., a tax in the form of forced labor

אֲשֶֽׁר4 of 24
H834

who, which, what, that; also (as an adverb and a conjunction) when, where, how, because, in order that, etc

הֶעֱלָ֣ה׀5 of 24

raised

H5927

to ascend, intransitively (be high) or actively (mount); used in a great variety of senses, primary and secondary, literal and figurative

הַמֶּ֣לֶךְ6 of 24

which king

H4428

a king

שְׁלֹמֹ֗ה7 of 24

Solomon

H8010

shelomah, david's successor

לִבְנוֹת֩8 of 24

for to build

H1129

to build (literally and figuratively)

אֶת9 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בֵּיתוֹ֙10 of 24

and his own house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

יְהוָ֤ה11 of 24

of the LORD

H3068

(the) self-existent or eternal; jeho-vah, jewish national name of god

וְאֶת12 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

בֵּיתוֹ֙13 of 24

and his own house

H1004

a house (in the greatest variation of applications, especially family, etc.)

וְאֶת14 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

הַמִּלּ֔וֹא15 of 24

and Millo

H4407

a rampart (as filled in), i.e., the citadel

וְאֵ֖ת16 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

חוֹמַ֣ת17 of 24

and the wall

H2346

a wall of protection

יְרֽוּשָׁלִָ֑ם18 of 24

of Jerusalem

H3389

jerushalaim or jerushalem, the capital city of palestine

וְאֶת19 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

חָצֹ֥ר20 of 24

and Hazor

H2674

chatsor, the name (thus simply) of two places in palestine and of one in arabia

וְאֶת21 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

מְגִדּ֖וֹ22 of 24

and Megiddo

H4023

megiddon or megiddo, a place in palestine

וְאֶת23 of 24
H853

properly, self (but generally used to point out more definitely the object of a verb or preposition, even or namely)

גָּֽזֶר׃24 of 24

and Gezer

H1507

gezer, a place in palestine


Study Guide

Historical Context

This verse is found in the book of 1 Kings. Understanding the historical and cultural background helps illuminate its meaning for the original audience and for us today.

Theological Significance

1 Kings 9:15 contributes to our understanding of God's character and His relationship with humanity. Consider how this verse connects to the broader themes of Scripture.

Cross-References

Verses related to 1 Kings 9:15 from Treasury of Scripture Knowledge

Places in This Verse

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