1 Kings
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1 Kings 11
1 Kings 11
1Now king Solomon loved many foreign women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites;
1But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;
Commentary · verse 1
2of the nations concerning which Jehovah said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go among them, neither shall they come among you; for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.
3And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart.
2Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.
3And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.
Commentary · verses 2-3
Solomon loved many strange women including 700 wives and 300 concubines that turned his heart away from God. Deuteronomy 17:18 stated the king ought to write out his own copy of the Law so he would know these critical passages. It appeared that Solomon violated all the verses from Deuteronomy 17:16-19.
4For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods; and his heart was not perfect with Jehovah his God, as was the heart of David his father.
5For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
4For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.
5For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
Commentary · verses 4-5
Solomon's heart was not perfect before God like David's. Solomon served other gods.
6And Solomon did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, and went not fully after Jehovah, as did David his father.
6And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father.
Commentary · verse 6
Not only was Solomon not perfect before God, he did evil.
7Then did Solomon build a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, in the mount that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the children of Ammon.
7Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.
Commentary · verse 7
The worship of Chemosh, which meant "subduer," was introduced into Jerusalem by Solomon. Remember Chemosh and Molech. These high places would not be torn down for hundreds of years.
8And so did he for all his foreign wives, who burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.
9And Jehovah was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned away from Jehovah, the God of Israel, who had appeared unto him twice, 10and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which Jehovah commanded.
8And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.
9And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,
10And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.
Commentary · verses 8-10
God was angry at Solomon because God told him to not go after other gods and Solomon did not obey.
11Wherefore Jehovah said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.
11Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.
Commentary · verse 11
God would tear the kingdom from Solomon and give it to his servant. This was Right and Just.
12Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it, for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.
13Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but I will give one tribe to thy son, for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen.
12Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.
13Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen.
Commentary · verses 12-13
However, none of this would happen to Solomon because God would always show Solomon lovingkindness/mercy. God would give one tribe (Judah) to Solomon's son, for David's sake. Solomon's idolatry was the reason the kingdom eventually divided.
14And Jehovah raised up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king’s seed in Edom.
14And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king’s seed in Edom.
Commentary · verse 14
Hadad, an Edomite (from Esau) was raised up by God as an adversary to Solomon.
15For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, and had smitten every male in Edom 16(for Joab and all Israel remained there six months, until he had cut off every male in Edom);
15For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, after he had smitten every male in Edom;
16(For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom:)
Commentary · verses 15-16
Joab was part of the reason Hadad was an adversary against Solomon and Israel. Even after Joab's death, he was still having an impact on the kingdom.
17that Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father’s servants with him, to go into Egypt, Hadad being yet a little child.
18And they arose out of Midian, and came to Paran; and they took men with them out of Paran, and they came to Egypt, unto Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave him a house, and appointed him victuals, and gave him land.
19And Hadad found great favor in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him to wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen.
20And the sister of Tahpenes bare him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh’s house; and Genubath was in Pharaoh’s house among the sons of Pharaoh.
17That Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father’s servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad being yet a little child.
18And they arose out of Midian, and came to Paran: and they took men with them out of Paran, and they came to Egypt, unto Pharaoh king of Egypt; which gave him an house, and appointed him victuals, and gave him land.
19And Hadad found great favour in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him to wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen.
20And the sister of Tahpenes bare him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh’s house: and Genubath was in Pharaoh’s household among the sons of Pharaoh.
Commentary · verses 17-20
Hadad sought refuge among the Egyptians.
21And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let me depart, that I may go to mine own country.
22Then Pharaoh said unto him, But what hast thou lacked with me, that, behold, thou seekest to go to thine own country? And he answered, Nothing: howbeit only let me depart.
21And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let me depart, that I may go to mine own country.
22Then Pharaoh said unto him, But what hast thou lacked with me, that, behold, thou seekest to go to thine own country? And he answered, Nothing: howbeit let me go in any wise.
Commentary · verses 21-22
Hadad had escaped David's massacre of Moab and was set on going back to his home. Did he want vengeance?
23And God raised up another adversary unto him, Rezon the son of Eliada, who had fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah.
24And he gathered men unto him, and became captain over a troop, when David slew them of Zobah: and they went to Damascus, and dwelt therein, and reigned in Damascus.
23And God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah:
24And he gathered men unto him, and became captain over a band, when David slew them of Zobah: and they went to Damascus, and dwelt therein, and reigned in Damascus.
Commentary · verses 23-24
Rezon was another adversary of Solomon's raised up by God.
25And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, besides the mischief that Hadad did: and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria.
26And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, a servant of Solomon, whose mother’s name was Zeruah, a widow, he also lifted up his hand against the king.
25And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, beside the mischief that Hadad did: and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria.
26And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon’s servant, whose mother’s name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king.
Commentary · verses 25-26
Jeroboam, an Ephraimite, was Solomon's servant and became another adversary to Solomon. He was an adversary from within the nation of Israel. Was he the one God spoke of concerning Solomon's kingdom being given to his servant?
27And this was the reason why he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the breach of the city of David his father.
28And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor; and Solomon saw the young man that he was industrious, and he gave him charge over all the labor of the house of Joseph.
27And this was the cause that he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the breaches of the city of David his father.
28And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph.
Commentary · verses 27-28
Jeroboam wasn't merely a servant of Solomon's, he was a mighty man of valor and the leader of all the servants of the house of Joseph.
29And it came to pass at that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; now Ahijah had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field.
30And Ahijah laid hold of the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces.
31And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces; for thus saith Jehovah, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee
29And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field:
30And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces:
31And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee:
Commentary · verses 29-31
Ahijah the prophet told Jeroboam that God would give him ten tribes of Israel.
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 that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon; and they have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and mine ordinances, as did David his father.
34Howbeit 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 unto thee, even ten tribes.
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 that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.
34Howbeit 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, because he kept my commandments and my statutes:
35But I will take the kingdom out of his son’s hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes.
Commentary · verses 32-35
God again restated He would not take this out of Solomon's hand, but out of Solomon's son's hand.
36And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a lamp alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.
37And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel.
38And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that which is right in mine eyes, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and will build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.
39And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever.
36And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.
37And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel.
38And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.
39And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever.
Commentary · verses 36-39
God promised Jeroboam a great kingdom, if he walked in God's ways. The affliction against David's seed would not last forever.
40Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam; but Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.
40Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.
Commentary · verse 40
Solomon wanted to kill Jeroboam. Did Solomon think this would stop his kingdom from being torn from him? Jeroboam fled to Egypt and did not return until Solomon's death.
41Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon?
41And the rest of the acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon?
Commentary · verse 41
The Book of the Acts of Solomon?
Doctrines on this passage
42And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.
43And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.
42And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.
43And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.
Commentary · verses 42-43
Solomon reigned for forty years and died. Rehoboam, his son, would be the first king of Judah after the division of Israel. Notice, Solomon, himself, did not lose the kingdom. Also, Solomon had three adversaries, but none of them afflicted Solomon within Solomon's kingdom. Even when God judged Solomon, Solomon did not feel the pain personally. Solomon had the highest level of understanding, yet he did not feel any punishment from experience. Was it Right and Just for God to lead Solomon completely with understanding? It wouldn't be if Solomon's understanding was flawed, however, it was not. It was Solomon's choice not to keep the Law. Did Solomon lack anything? Was God's lovingkindness good or bad for Solomon? Remember, David repented for his sins immediately after he was proven to be in sin. The result was David would not die (forfeit his Salvation), but there were still three curses pronounced on David. It appeared Solomon ended his life focused on facilitating his own purpose and progress at the expense of the people. 2 Kings 23 showed that Solomon never repented for his sins. Josiah was the one who took down Solomon's high places to the gods of the wives that led his heart astray.
Deuteronomy 17:17 also stated that the king should not multiply wives to himself because it would turn his heart away from God.
Moab and Ammon were from Lot. Edom was from Esau. Amalek (from Esau) was not mentioned.