Solomon's transformation from wisdom's paragon to idolatry's architect occurs through the Hebrew verb "dabaq" (clung to), the same word describing ideal covenant loyalty in Deuteronomy 10:20.
1 Kings 11
Solomon's Apostasy and Divine Judgment
1Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites,
2of the nations concerning which the LORD said to the children of Israel, “You shall not go among them, neither shall they come among you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon joined to these in love.
3He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines. His wives turned his heart away.
4When Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods; and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father was.
5For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
6Solomon did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, and didn’t go fully after the LORD, as David his father did.
7Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the mountain that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the children of Ammon.
8So he did for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.
9The LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice,
10and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods; but he didn’t keep that which the LORD commanded.
11Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, “Because this is done by you, and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you, and will give it to your servant.
12Nevertheless, I will not do it in your days, for David your father’s sake; but I will tear it out of your son’s hand.
13However, I will not tear away all the kingdom; but I will give one tribe to your son, for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen.”
Solomon's Adversaries: Hadad and Rezon
14The LORD raised up an adversary to Solomon: Hadad the Edomite. He was one of the king’s offspring in Edom.
15For when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the army had gone up to bury the slain, and had struck every male in Edom
16(for Joab and all Israel remained there six months, until he had cut off every male in Edom),
17Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father’s servants with him, to go into Egypt, when Hadad was still a little child.
18They arose out of Midian and came to Paran; and they took men with them out of Paran, and they came to Egypt, to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave him a house, and appointed him food, and gave him land.
19Hadad found great favor in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him as wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen.
20The sister of Tahpenes bore him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh’s house; and Genubath was in Pharaoh’s house among the sons of Pharaoh.
21When Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the army was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, “Let me depart, that I may go to my own country.”
22Then Pharaoh said to him, “But what have you lacked with me, that behold, you seek to go to your own country?” He answered, “Nothing, however only let me depart.”
23God raised up an adversary to him, Rezon the son of Eliada, who had fled from his lord, Hadadezer king of Zobah.
24He gathered men to himself, and became captain over a troop, when David killed them of Zobah. They went to Damascus and lived there, and reigned in Damascus.
25He was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, in addition to the mischief of Hadad. He abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria.
Jeroboam's Rebellion and Ahijah's Prophecy
26Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, a servant of Solomon, whose mother’s name was Zeruah, a widow, also lifted up his hand against the king.
27This was the reason why he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the breach of his father David’s city.
28The man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor; and Solomon saw that the young man was industrious, and he put him in charge of all the labor of the house of Joseph.
29At that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him on the way. Now Ahijah had clad himself with a new garment; and the two of them were alone in the field.
30Ahijah took the new garment that was on him, and tore it in twelve pieces.
31He said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces; for the LORD, the God of Israel, says, ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and will give ten tribes to you
32(but he shall have one tribe, for my servant David’s sake and for Jerusalem’s sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel),
33because they have forsaken me, and have worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon. They have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in my eyes, and to keep my statutes and my ordinances, as David his father did.
34“‘However, I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand, but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant’s sake whom I chose, who kept my commandments and my statutes,
35but I will take the kingdom out of his son’s hand and will give it to you, even ten tribes.
36I will give one tribe to his son, that David my servant may have a lamp always before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen for myself to put my name there.
37I will take you, and you shall reign according to all that your soul desires, and shall be king over Israel.
38It shall be, if you will listen to all that I command you, and will walk in my ways, and do that which is right in my eyes, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did, that I will be with you, and will build you a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to you.
39I will afflict the offspring of David for this, but not forever.’”
40Therefore Solomon sought to kill Jeroboam, but Jeroboam arose and fled into Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.
Death of Solomon
41Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom, aren’t they written in the book of the acts of Solomon?
42The time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.
43Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in his father David’s city; and Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.
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Theme
Solomon's reign takes a tragic turn as his marriages to foreign women lead him into idolatry, directly violating God's commands and turning his heart away from exclusive worship of the LORD. In response to this apostasy, God declares judgment: the kingdom will be divided after Solomon's death, with only one tribe remaining loyal to his son for David's sake. The chapter concludes with God raising up adversaries against Solomon, including Hadad the Edomite and Jeroboam, whom the prophet Ahijah designates as the future king over ten tribes of Israel.
Context
This chapter marks the turning point from Solomon's golden age described in chapters 1-10 to the kingdom's division that will dominate the remainder of 1-2 Kings.
Key Themes
Outline
- 1-8 Solomon's Foreign Wives and Idolatry Solomon's marriages to foreign women lead him to worship their gods and build high places for pagan deities.
- 9-13 God's Judgment Pronounced The LORD declares the kingdom will be torn from Solomon's dynasty, though delayed until after his death for David's sake.
- 14-25 Hadad the Edomite Rises as Adversary God raises up Hadad, an Edomite prince who survived David's conquest, as an enemy against Solomon.
- 26-40 Jeroboam's Rebellion and Ahijah's Prophecy The prophet Ahijah promises Jeroboam rule over ten tribes, leading to his rebellion and flight to Egypt.
- 41-43 Solomon's Death and Rehoboam's Succession Solomon dies after a forty-year reign, and his son Rehoboam becomes king over a kingdom destined for division.
Solomon's Apostasy and Divine Judgment
11:1–11:13 narrative narration wrathful
Solomon's marriages to foreign women led him into idolatry, worshiping gods like Ashtoreth, Milcom, and Chemosh, violating God's covenant. As divine judgment, God declared He would tear the kingdom from Solomon's dynasty, sparing only one tribe for David's sake.
person_contrast
Solomon's transformation from wisdom's paragon to idolatry's architect occurs through the Hebrew verb "dabaq" (clung to), the same word describing ideal covenant loyalty in Deuteronomy 10:20.
Solomon's Adversaries: Hadad and Rezon
11:14–11:25 narrative narration solemn
God raised up adversaries against Solomon, including Hadad the Edomite who found refuge in Egypt and Rezon who established himself in Damascus. These enemies represented divine judgment against Solomon's unfaithfulness and would trouble Israel throughout his reign.
person_contrast
God strategically raises adversaries from the very nations David conquered—Edom and Syria—transforming Solomon's inherited victories into instruments of divine judgment against his apostasy.
Jeroboam's Rebellion and Ahijah's Prophecy
11:26–11:40 narrative narration solemn
The prophet Ahijah symbolically tore his garment into twelve pieces, giving ten to Jeroboam to prophesy that God would divide Solomon's kingdom due to idolatry. Jeroboam would receive ten tribes while one tribe would remain with David's lineage for the sake of Jerusalem.
person_contrast
Jeroboam receives divine legitimacy through prophetic symbolism here, contrasting sharply with his later portrayal as the archetypal disobedient king in Israel's northern kingdom.
Death of Solomon
11:41–11:43 narrative narration solemn
Solomon died after reigning forty years over Israel and was buried in the city of David. His son Rehoboam succeeded him as king, marking the end of Solomon's reign and the transition to a new generation of leadership.
person_contrast
Solomon's death notice conspicuously omits any mention of his legendary wisdom, breaking the pattern of his 66 other biblical appearances that consistently highlight his intellectual gifts.
Insights
God strategically raises adversaries from the very nations David conquered—Edom and Syria—transforming Solomon's inherited victories into instruments of divine judgment against his apostasy.
Jeroboam receives divine legitimacy through prophetic symbolism here, contrasting sharply with his later portrayal as the archetypal disobedient king in Israel's northern kingdom.
Solomon's death notice conspicuously omits any mention of his legendary wisdom, breaking the pattern of his 66 other biblical appearances that consistently highlight his intellectual gifts.
Cross-References
Connected passages across Scripture
1 Kings 11:1 4 references
Lexicals 4
Ezra 9:1 Lexical
Now when these things were done, the princes came near to me, saying, “The people of Israel, the priests, and the Levite…
Nehemiah 13:26 Lexical
Didn’t Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? Yet among many nations there was no king like him, and he was loved b…
2 Chronicles 24:26 Lexical
These are those who conspired against him: Zabad the son of Shimeath the Ammonitess and Jehozabad the son of Shimrith th…
Nehemiah 13:1 Lexical
On that day they read in the book of Moses in the hearing of the people; and it was found written in it that an Ammonite…
1 Kings 11:4 2 references
Lexicals 2
1 Kings 11:5 1 reference
1 Kings 11:7 2 references
1 Kings 11:13 1 reference
1 Kings 11:16 2 references
1 Kings 11:19 3 references
Lexicals 3
Exodus 11:3 Lexical
The LORD gave the people favor in the sight of the Egyptians. Moreover, the man Moses was very great in the land of Egyp…
Genesis 47:25 Lexical
They said, “You have saved our lives! Let us find favor in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh’s servants.”
Genesis 50:4 Lexical
When the days of weeping for him were past, Joseph spoke to Pharaoh’s staff, saying, “If now I have found favor in your…
1 Kings 11:23 3 references
Lexicals 3
2 Samuel 8:5 Lexical
When the Syrians of Damascus came to help Hadadezer king of Zobah, David struck twenty two thousand men of the Syrians.
2 Samuel 8:12 Lexical
of Syria, of Moab, of the children of Ammon, of the Philistines, of Amalek, and of the plunder of Hadadezer, son of Reho…
2 Samuel 8:3 Lexical
David also struck Hadadezer the son of Rehob, king of Zobah, as he went to recover his dominion at the River.
1 Kings 11:24 1 reference
1 Kings 11:26 4 references
Lexicals 4
2 Chronicles 13:6 Lexical
Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, the servant of Solomon the son of David, rose up, and rebelled against his lord.
2 Chronicles 10:2 Lexical
When Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it (for he was in Egypt, where he had fled from the presence of King Solomon), J…
1 Kings 12:2 Lexical
When Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard of it (for he was yet in Egypt, where he had fled from the presence of King Solomon…
2 Chronicles 9:29 Lexical
Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, aren’t they written in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in th…
1 Kings 11:27 1 reference
1 Kings 11:28 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 13:3 Lexical
Abijah joined battle with an army of valiant men of war, even four hundred thousand chosen men; and Jeroboam set the bat…
2 Chronicles 17:13 Lexical
He had many works in the cities of Judah; and men of war, mighty men of valor, in Jerusalem.
1 Chronicles 9:13 Lexical
and their brothers, heads of their fathers’ houses, one thousand seven hundred sixty; they were very able men for the wo…
1 Samuel 16:18 Lexical
Then one of the young men answered and said, “Behold, I have seen a son of Jesse the Bethlehemite who is skillful in pla…
1 Chronicles 29:1 Lexical
David the king said to all the assembly, “Solomon my son, whom alone God has chosen, is yet young and tender, and the wo…
1 Kings 11:29 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 9:29 Lexical
Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, aren’t they written in the history of Nathan the prophet, and in th…
2 Chronicles 10:15 Lexical
So the king didn’t listen to the people; for it was brought about by God, that the LORD might establish his word, which…
1 Kings 15:29 Lexical
As soon as he was king, he struck all the house of Jeroboam. He didn’t leave to Jeroboam any who breathed, until he had…
1 Kings 12:15 Lexical
So the king didn’t listen to the people; for it was a thing brought about from the LORD, that he might establish his wor…
1 Kings 14:2 Lexical
Jeroboam said to his wife, “Please get up and disguise yourself, so that you won’t be recognized as Jeroboam’s wife. Go…
1 Kings 11:30 1 reference
1 Kings 11:31 1 reference
1 Kings 11:33 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Kings 23:13 Lexical
The king defiled the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mountain of corruption,…
Leviticus 26:43 Lexical
The land also will be left by them, and will enjoy its Sabbaths while it lies desolate without them; and they will accep…
Judges 10:6 Lexical
The children of Israel again did that which was evil in the LORD’s sight, and served the Baals, the Ashtaroth, the gods…
2 Chronicles 7:19 Lexical
But if you turn away and forsake my statutes and my commandments which I have set before you, and go and serve other god…
Ezekiel 5:7 Lexical
“Therefore the Lord GOD says: ‘Because you are more turbulent than the nations that are around you, and have not walked…
1 Kings 11:34 3 references
Lexicals 3
1 Kings 2:3 Lexical
and keep the instruction of the LORD your God, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, his commandments, his ordinanc…
Deuteronomy 6:2 Lexical
that you might fear the LORD your God, to keep all his statutes and his commandments, which I command you—you, your son,…
Deuteronomy 17:20 Lexical
that his heart not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he not turn away from the commandment to the right hand, or…
1 Kings 11:38 1 reference
1 Kings 11:40 2 references
Lexicals 2
1 Kings 11:41 5 references
Lexicals 5
1 Kings 15:31 Lexical
Now the rest of the acts of Nadab, and all that he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings o…
1 Kings 14:29 Lexical
Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam, and all that he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the king…
2 Kings 8:23 Lexical
The rest of the acts of Joram, and all that he did, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Ju…
1 Kings 16:20 Lexical
Now the rest of the acts of Zimri, and his treason that he committed, aren’t they written in the book of the chronicles…
2 Kings 15:15 Lexical
Now the rest of the acts of Shallum, and his conspiracy which he made, behold, they are written in the book of the chron…
1 Kings 11:42 2 references
1 Kings 11:43 5 references
Lexicals 5
2 Chronicles 9:31 Lexical
Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in his father David’s city; and Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.
1 Kings 14:31 Lexical
Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried with his fathers in David’s city. His mother’s name was Naamah the Ammon…
2 Chronicles 12:16 Lexical
Rehoboam slept with his fathers, and was buried in David’s city; and Abijah his son reigned in his place.
1 Kings 14:21 Lexical
Rehoboam the son of Solomon reigned in Judah. Rehoboam was forty-one years old when he began to reign, and he reigned se…
1 Kings 15:8 Lexical
Abijam slept with his fathers, and they buried him in David’s city; and Asa his son reigned in his place.
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