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 9:22)
This exemption granted to the children of Israel from the type of bondservice imposed upon the native inhabitants did not free them from certain types of forced labor. Solomon raised a levy of 30,000 men “out of all Israel” (ch. 5:13, 14). Although efforts were put forth to make this service as acceptable as possible, it still produced such strong resentment that it was one of the main grievances against the throne at the time of Solomons death (ch. 12:4), and resulted in the stoning of Adoram, who had been placed in charge of the levy (ch. 12:18).
Men of war.
On the whole, however, the endeavor was made to treat the children of Israel as a superior and dominant race. They were chosen to be the king’s warriors and courtiers, directors in the various enterprises, and commanders of his chariots and horsemen. But as the absolute power of the king increased, the degenerated more and more into an oppressive and unfeeling despot; his favorites became arrogant and conceited, and the condition of those less favored probably differed from serfdom more in name than in reality. As a result, dissatisfaction became deep and widespread.