MPV Commentary

Solomon raised a levy from all Israel to support his massive construction project (1Ki 5:12). This move was likely intended to prepare for the record of Solomon's practical measures to achieve his goal. The compulsory nature of this labor would have caused discontent if not for the wise arrangement that allowed workers to remain at home two months out of three, and the sacredness of the work itself.

The burden of carrying heavy loads and excavating quarries was assigned to the remaining Canaanites (1Ki 9:20; 2Ch 8:7-9) and war prisoners from David's campaigns, totaling 153,600 people. In Eastern countries, it was common for people in this condition to be employed on public works projects.

The stones used in the construction were massive, hard, calcareous, whitish, and sonorous (Shaw). Similar stones could be found throughout Syria and Palestine. Jewish and Tyrian builders worked together to cut and polish these large stones.

Solomon's builders, along with those from Tyre under Hiram, cut and prepared the stones for use in the foundation of the temple. These massive stones, some measuring up to 30 feet long and 6 feet wide, can still be seen in the substructures around the ancient site of the temple. Observers agree that these were likely used to lay the foundation of the house.