Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Kings 9:23

"These were the chief officers that were over Solomon`s work, five hundred and fifty, who bare rule over the people that wrought in the work." — 1 Kings 9:23 (ASV)

Five hundred and fifty. — In 1 Kings 5:16 we read of just six times as many officers as those mentioned here over the workers for the Temple. But in that passage, there would seem to be a reference to the special levy then raised; here, the description is apparently of a regularly established system.