You shall not wrong a stranger or oppress him, for you were strangers in the land of Egypt.
 [22] "You shall not afflict any widow or orphan. [23] "If you afflict him at all, {and} if he
 does cry out to Me, I will surely hear his cry; [24] and My anger will be kindled, and I will
 kill you with the sword, and your wives shall become widows and your children fatherless
 (Exodus 22:21-24).

 Solomon, being a man of God, thought about the safety of these workers in different ways.

He had set work hours that were bearable, and supervisors who did not inflict unnecessary harm,

although the whip was the tool to keep workers working (2 Chronicles 10:11).

 In order to bring back all the wood that was delivered part way by King Hiram of Tyre, the

book of Kings says, "King Solomon levied forced laborers from all Israel; and the forced

laborers numbered 30,000 men. [14] He sent them to Lebanon, 10,000 a month in relays; they

were in Lebanon a month {and} two months at home" (1 Kings 5:13 NASB). Solomon was

concerned about the well being of his workers. Having two months off gave time for workers to

be with their families as well as sufficient rest to energize them for their next work period.

Solomon was not a man given to extremes as he says, "the man who fears God will avoid all

extremes" (Ecclesiastes 7:18 NIV). Therefore he did not subject other men to unbearable

extremes.

 Rehoboam, Solomon's son, did not follow the decrees of God and increased the burdens

laid on the workers saying, "and now, whereas my father put a heavy yoke on you, I will add to

your yoke; my father chastised you with whips, but I [will chastise you] with scourges" (2

Chronicles 10:11 NKJV)! The scourging referred to in this verse tears the skin much quicker

than whipping which in turn causes more severe lacerations. This action of King Rehoboam led

to a revolt by the people, proving that Solomon's treatment, although hard, was humane. Today

there are still positions in construction companies which require supervision to keep workers

working. The whip has been replaced with yelling, fear of getting fired, reduction in work status,

or another form of punishment that is not physical.