1Ki 9:20 | JFB | STEP | 15-24. this is the reason of the levy-- A levy refers both to men and money, and the necessity for Solomon making it arose from the many gigantic works he undertook to erect. Millo-- part of the fort of Jerusalem on Mount Zion ( ; ), or a row of stone bastions around Mount Zion, Millo being the great corner tower of that fortified wall ( ; ). the wall of Jerusalem-- either repairing some breaches in it ( ), or extending it so as to enclose Mount Zion. Hazor-- fortified on account of its importance as a town in the northern boundary of the country. Megiddo-- (now Leijun)--Lying in the great caravan road between Egypt and Damascus, it was the key to the north of Palestine by the western lowlands, and therefore fortified. Gezer-- on the western confines of Ephraim, and, though a Levitical city, occupied by the Canaanites. Having fallen by right of conquest to the king of Egypt, who for some cause attacked it, it was given by him as a dowry to his daughter, and fortified by Solomon.

‏ 1 Kings 9:20

15-24. this is the reason of the levy--A levy refers both to men and money, and the necessity for Solomon making it arose from the many gigantic works he undertook to erect.

Millo--part of the fort of Jerusalem on Mount Zion (2Sa 5:9; 1Ch 11:8), or a row of stone bastions around Mount Zion, Millo being the great corner tower of that fortified wall (1Ki 11:27; 2Ch 32:5).

the wall of Jerusalem--either repairing some breaches in it (1Ki 11:27), or extending it so as to enclose Mount Zion.

Hazor--fortified on account of its importance as a town in the northern boundary of the country.

Megiddo--(now Leijun)--Lying in the great caravan road between Egypt and Damascus, it was the key to the north of Palestine by the western lowlands, and therefore fortified.

Gezer--on the western confines of Ephraim, and, though a Levitical city, occupied by the Canaanites. Having fallen by right of conquest to the king of Egypt, who for some cause attacked it, it was given by him as a dowry to his daughter, and fortified by Solomon.