Read the Passage: 1 Kings 11

Spiritual Fall (11:1–13)

Deut. 17:14–20 set forth several principles that Israelite kings were to embrace in order to ensure God’s blessing. Earlier, as Solomon’s reign was described in 1 Kings 9–10, the author hinted that Solomon had violated at least three of the principles given in Deut. 17:14–20. First, at 1 Kings 9:24 it was noted that Solomon married Pharaoh’s daughter, which violated the implied standard in Deut. 17:15 (cf. Deut. 7:3–4). Second, at 1 Kings 10:26–29 it was reported that Solomon had multiplied horses for himself, which violated Deut. 17:16. Third, at 1 Kings 10:21, 27 it was recorded that Solomon had amassed large amounts of silver and gold, which was a violation of Deut. 17:17. Each of these sins highlights the fact that while Solomon was a son of David, and he partially fulfilled the David Covenant, Solomon was not the Greater David to whom God’s covenant pointed.

1 Kings 11:1–13 makes clear the implied moral failures of Solomon that were hinted at in the previous two chapters. In 1 Kings 11:1–8 we learn that not only was Solomon guilty of taking a foreign wife, but also he was guilty of polygamy as he married many foreign women. Indeed, the text reports that Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines. The multiplication of wives, especially foreign women, was a clear violation of Deut. 17:17. Furthermore, polygamy contradicts God’s plan for marriage in Gen. 2:24, and it is never harmonious when practiced in Scripture. Note that at 1 Kings 11:2 the author cites Exod. 34:16 where God stated the rationale for His people not marrying foreign women, “You shall not intermarry with them . . . [for] surely they will turn away your hearts after other gods.” Predictably, 1 Kings 11:5–8 reports that this is exactly what happened to Solomon.

While Solomon did not completely abandon God, 1 Kings 11:6 says, “Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and did not fully follow the Lord, as did his father David.” Thus, God was angry with Solomon and confronted him. 1 Kings 11:9–10 notes that God’s anger was aroused because when He appeared to Solomon earlier—that is, both at Gibeon (cf. 1 Kings 3:5–14) and at Jerusalem (cf. 1 Kings 9:1–9)—God told Solomon this if he worshiped other gods, then He would forfeit God’s favor. Indeed, at 1 Kings 11:11 the picture of God tearing away the kingdom from Saul was invoked (cf. 1 Sam. 15:27–28), as God informed Solomon, “I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant.” Yet, because of His great love for David, God told Solomon He would wait to tear the kingdom away from Solomon’s son, leaving his son just two tribes to oversee.

Political Adversaries (11:14–40)

Prov. 16:7 says, “When a man’s ways please the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.” This highlights the fact that sometimes God’s biggest blessings are those of which we are never aware. Conversely, when God is angry with man, He may remove walls of protection (cf. Isa. 5:5; Rom. 1:28). 1 Kings 11:14–40 reports that this is exactly how God began to discipline Solomon, as three specific adversaries appeared. First, 1 Kings 11:14–22 notes that God raised up Hadad the Edomite, who was a thorn in Solomon’s flesh. Second, 1 Kings 11:23–25 reports that God also raised up Rezon the Syrian as an adversary of Solomon. Third, 1 Kings 11:26–40 narrates how God raised up Jeroboam the Ephraimite who rebelled against Solomon. Whereas Hadad and Rezon are only mentioned in this chapter, Jeroboam would later become king of ten tribes of Israel.

Physical Death (11:41–43)

Solomon’s death is described rather unceremoniously. Both 1 Kings 11:41–43 and 2 Chron. 9:29–31 simple record the fact that Solomon passed away after a forty year reign. Indeed, of all of the kings of Israel, Solomon’s reign began with the most promise, yet it ended without fanfare, as he led the nation into idolatry. Perhaps the best commentary on Solomon’s death is the book of Ecclesiastes. Most scholars believe that Solomon wrote the book of Ecclesiastes toward the end of his life, as he reflected upon the error of his ways and exhorts his readers toward a better path. A reading of the books of Ecclesiastes can be depressing, as in it Solomon describes the foolishness of idolizing money, sex, and power. Yet, Solomon ends the book with the statement, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God and keep His commandments, for this is man’s all” (Eccl. 12:13).

Application Questions:

1. Was Solomon the fulfillment of God’s covenant with David at 2 Sam. 7:1–17 (cf. Luke 1:32–33; Rom. 1:3)?
2. How can believers navigate life when a Christian leader disappoints them by sin and moral failure?
3. What directions does the Bible give regarding the choice of a spouse (cf. 1 Cor. 7:39; 2 Cor. 6:14)?
4. Have you witnessed the phenomena of God protecting the faithful and raising up adversaries for the wicked?
5. What did Paul mean in writing, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith” (2 Tim. 4:7)?