Ecclesiastes 2:7

“I got [me] servants and maidens, etc.] Menservants, and maidservants; the Targum adds, “of the children of Ham, and of the rest of the strange people;” these were such as he hired, or bought with his money; and had servants born in my house; and these were all employed by him; either as his retinue and equipage, his attendants and bodyguards; or to take care of his household, his gardens, and pools; or for his horses and chariots, and for various offices; (see <110426>1 Kings 4:26,27) (<150258>Ezra 2:58). Villalpandus computes the number of his servants to be forty eight thousand; if there were any pleasure and happiness in such a numerous attendance, Solomon had it; also I had great…”

“born in my house--These were esteemed more trustworthy servants than those bought (Gen 14:14; Gen 15:2-3; Gen 17:12-13, Gen 17:27; Jer 2:14), called "songs of one's handmaid" (Exo 23:12; compare Gen 12:16; Job 1:3).”

“I got - Rather, I bought, in distinction from those born in the house. The “children of Solomon’s servants” (compare Ezra 2:55, Ezra 2:58) were more probably of Canaanite origin 1 Kings 9:20-21; 1 Kings 5:15 than Hebrews 1 Kings 9:22. Possessions of great and small cattle - Rather, herds of oxen and sheep. All ... before me - King David’s herds and flocks are mentioned in 1 Chronicles 27:29, 1 Chronicles 27:31 : but we have no specific account of the wealth of other Canaanite or Hebrew inhabitants of Jerusalem before Solomon. return to 'Top of Page'”

“2:7 Solomon’s slaves, . . . large herds, and flocks were numerous, and caring for them consumed vast resources (1 Kgs 4:22-23; 9:20-21).”

“servants: Kg1 9:20-22; Ezr 2:58; Neh 7:57 and had: Gen 17:12, Gen 17:13 servants born in my house: Heb. sons of my house also: Gen 13:2; Kg2 3:4; Ch1 27:29-31; Ch2 26:10, Ch2 32:27-29; Job 1:3, Job 42:12 Ecclesiastes 2:8”

“"I procured servants and maidens, and also I obtained servants born in the house; also the possession of flocks; I obtained many horned and small cattle before all who were in Jerusalem before me." The obtaining of these possessions is, according to Gen 17:12., to be understood of purchase. There is a distinction between the slaves, male and female (mancipia), obtained by purchase, and those who were home-born (vernae), the בּית (ילידי) בּני, who were regarded as the chief support of the house ( Gen 14:14), on account of their attachment to it, and to this day are called (Arab.) fada wayyt, as those who offer themselves a sacrifice for it, if need be. Regarding לי היה, in the sense of…”