4. and fortified the city of Palmyra in the desert. He rebuilt all the cities in Hamath that were centres for storing supplies.
5. Solomon also rebuilt the following cities: Upper Beth Horon and Lower Beth Horon (fortified cities with gates that could be barred),
6. the city of Baalath, all the cities where he stored supplies, and the cities where his horses and chariots were stationed. He carried out all his plans for building in Jerusalem, in Lebanon, and throughout the territory that he ruled over.
7-8. Solomon employed in forced labour all the descendants of the people of Canaan whom the Israelites had not killed when they took possession of the land. These included Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites, and Jebusites, whose descendants continue to be slaves down to the present time.
9. Israelites were not used in forced labour, but served as soldiers, officers, chariot commanders, and horsemen.
10. There were 250 officials in charge of the forced labour working on the various building projects.
11. Solomon moved his wife, the daughter of the king of Egypt, from David's City to a house he built for her. He said, “She must not live in the palace of King David of Israel, because any place where the Covenant Box has been is holy.”
12. Solomon offered sacrifices to the Lord on the altar which he had built in front of the Temple.