2 Chronicles 2:17

“And Solomon numbered all the strangers that were in the land of Israel, etc.] Which, according to Kimchi, were the remains of the Amorites, Hittites, Perizzites, and Jebusites, (see <140808>2 Chronicles 8:8), yet not idolaters, or they would not have been suffered by David and Solomon to have dwelt in the land, but were such as were become proselytes of the gate: after the numbering wherewith David his father had numbered them; not at the time Israel was numbered by him, but in order to provide workmen for the building of the temple, (<132202>1 Chronicles 22:2), and they were found an hundred and fifty thousand and six hundred; men able to bear burdens, and hew timber.”

“Solomon numbered all the strangers, &c.--(See on Kg1 5:13; Kg1 5:18). Next: 2 Chronicles Chapter 3”

“The strangers are the non-Israelite population of the holy land, the descendants (chiefly) of those Canaanites whom the children of Israel did not drive out. The reimposition of the bond-service imposed on the Canaanites at the time of the conquest Judges 1:28, Judges 1:30, Judges 1:33, Judges 1:35, but discontinued in the period of depression between Joshua and Saul, was (it is clear) due to David, whom Solomon merely imitated in the arrangements described in these verses. return to 'Top of Page'”

“The strangers - For David had not only numbered his own people, but afterward the strangers, that Solomon might have a true account of them, and employ them about his buildings. Yet Solomon numbered them again, because death might have made a considerable alteration among them since David's numbering. 2 Chronicles 2:18”

“2:17-18 The book of Kings explains that all those left from the seven nations were conscripted for labor. Further, no Israelites were conscripted, and Israelites were placed in charge of the laborers (1 Kgs 9:20-23).”

“numbered: Ch2 2:2, Ch2 8:7, Ch2 8:8; Kg1 5:13-16, Kg1 9:20, Kg1 9:21 the strangers: Heb. the men the strangers after the numbering: Ch1 22:2 2 Chronicles 2:18”

“In Ch2 2:17 and Ch2 2:18 the short statement in Ch2 2:2 as to Solomon's statute labourers is again taken up and expanded. Solomon caused all the men to be numbered who dwelt in the land of Israel as strangers, viz., the descendants of the Canaanites who were not exterminated, "according to the numbering (ספר occurs only here) as his father David had numbered them." This remark refers to Ch1 22:2, where, however, it is only said that David commanded the strangers to be assembled. But as he caused them to be assembled in order to secure labourers for the building of the temple, he doubtless caused them to be numbered; and to this reference is here made. The numbering gave a total of 153,000…”