1 Kings 5:3
5:3 “You know that my father David was unable to build a temple to honor the Lord 1 his God, for he was busy fighting battles on all fronts while the Lord subdued his enemies. 2
1 Kings 9:21
9:21 Their descendants remained in the land (the Israelites were unable to wipe them out completely). Solomon conscripted them for his work crews, and they continue in that role to this very day. 3
1 tn Heb “a house for the name of the Lord.” The word “name” sometimes refers to one’s reputation or honor. The “name” of the Lord sometimes designates the Lord himself, being indistinguishable from the proper name.
2 tn Heb “because of the battles which surrounded him until the Lord placed them under the soles of his feet.”
3 tn Heb “their sons who were left after them in the land, whom the sons of Israel were unable to wipe out, and Solomon raised them up for a crew of labor to this day.”