Commentaries:
Barnes' Notes
A levy out of all Israel - This was, apparently, the first time that the Israelites had been called upon to perform forced labor, though it had been prophesied I Samuel 8:16. David had bound to forced service "the strangers" I Chronicles 22:2; but hitherto the Israelites had escaped. Solomon now, in connection with his proposed work of building the temple, with the honor of God as an excuse, laid this burden upon them. Out of the 1,300, 000 able-bodied Israelites II Samuel 24:9, a band of 30,000 - one in forty-four - was raised, of whom one-third was constantly at work in Lebanon, while two-thirds remained at home, and pursued their usual occupations. This, though a very light form of task work, was felt as a great oppression, and was the chief cause of the revolt of the ten tribes at Solomon' s death I Kings 12:4.
Other Barnes' Notes entries containing 1 Kings 5:13:
1 Samuel 8:14-18
1 Kings 7:1
1 Kings 9:22
1 Kings 12:4
Isaiah 31:8
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