101 Myths of the Bible: how ancient scribes - Conscious Evolution TV

yth #99:
Solomon did not impose forced labor on Israel.
The Myth: And all the people that were left of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites,
Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel, 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.
But of the children of Israel did Solomon make no bondmen: but they were men
of war, and his servants, and his princes, and his captains, and rulers of his chariots, and
his horsemen. (1 Kings 9: 20–22)
The Reality: Solomon’s extensive use of forced labor from the Israelites led to the
split between Israel and Judah.
King Solomon initiated numerous massive building projects throughout his kingdom.
In addition to the great temple, he built“his own house, and Millo, and the wall
of Jerusalem, and Hazor, and Megiddo, and Gezer.” The question arises as to how he
paid for it and who did the work. Forced labor and heavy taxation played a major role.
Judaean scribes, anxious to preserve and enhance the reputation of their beloved
hero, claimed that only non-Israelites were subjected to bondage,“the Amorites, Hittites,
Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, which were not of the children of Israel.”
Despite this assertion, the story of Solomon leaves little doubt that the Israelites were
subjected to enormous burdens. In one instance, we are told of almost two hundred
thousand conscripted laborers.
And king Solomon raised a levy out of all Israel; and the levy was thirty thousand
men. And he sent them to Lebanon, ten thousand a month by courses: a month they
were in Lebanon, and two months at home: and Adoniram was over the levy. And
Solomon had threescore and ten thousand that bare burdens, and fourscore thousand
hewers in the mountains; Beside the chief of Solomon’s officers which were over the
work, three thousand and three hundred, which ruled over the people that wrought
in the work. (1 Kings 5:13–16)
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