The big picture
Wealth and wisdom have made Solomon, king of Israel, a nation joined under one throne, famous abroad. Yet his many marriages now draw him away from God. He builds places for his wives to worship other gods. The peace of his reign begins to break. Old enemies return, and a worker within his own kingdom receives a promise of rule. Solomon's son will inherit a throne, but not the whole nation.
In this chapter
- The King Follows Other Gods 1 Kings 11:1-8
Solomon loves many women from nations whose gods Israel was forbidden to follow.
- The Kingdom Will Be Torn 1 Kings 11:9-13
God is angry because Solomon has turned away despite two personal appearances and a direct warning.
- An Exiled Prince Wants Home 1 Kings 11:14-22
Hadad, a prince from Edom, a neighbouring kingdom, becomes Solomon's enemy.
- Rivals Rise Outside and Within 1 Kings 11:23-28
Rezon, a former servant of a king defeated by David, gathers a band of men.
- A Torn Coat Promises Rule 1 Kings 11:29-39
Ahijah, a prophet from Shiloh, meets Jeroboam alone outside Jerusalem.
- Solomon Dies and His Son Reigns 1 Kings 11:40-43
Solomon tries to kill Jeroboam, who escapes to Egypt.
Central truth
Solomon's worship of other gods brings a promise that most of his kingdom will pass to another ruler.
Scripture beside the summary
1 Kings · King James Version · 431 Kings 11:1-8
The King Follows Other Gods
Solomon loves many women from nations whose gods Israel was forbidden to follow. He has seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines, partners of lower rank than wives. In old age, his heart turns towards their gods. He follows Ashtoreth and Milcom, gods worshipped by neighbouring peoples. He also builds hilltop shrines for Chemosh and Molech. His wives burn incense and offer sacrifices there. The king who built God's temple now supports worship that God had warned him to reject.
In everyday life
A retired surveyor signs off a boundary he knows is false after months of pressure from relatives. He wants to keep their affection and stops defending the rule he once upheld. Long experience has not kept his loyalty firm. Solomon abandons worship owed to God, not a rule of measurement.
Notice
1 Kings 11:4 The failure comes in Solomon's old age, after years of wisdom and rule. His earlier gifts do not make his heart immune to divided loyalty.
1 Kings 11:1-8
King James Version1But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;
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.
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.
6And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father.
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.
8And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.
1 Kings 11:9-13
The Kingdom Will Be Torn
God is angry because Solomon has turned away despite two personal appearances and a direct warning. He tells the king that the kingdom will be torn from his family and given to a servant. The whole penalty will not fall during Solomon's life. For David's sake, it will come upon his son. One tribe will remain with that son, linked to God's choice of Jerusalem. The sentence is severe, but it also preserves part of the promise made to David.
In everyday life
An orchard owner learns that the family trust will divide most of the land after his death because he broke its terms. His son will keep the home plot but lose the larger estate. The cost of his choices reaches the next generation. God's decision also honours his earlier promise to David.
Notice
1 Kings 11:12 The delay is given for David's sake, not because Solomon has done little wrong. Mercy towards one generation changes when judgment reaches another.
1 Kings 11:9-13
King James Version9And 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.
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.
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.
1 Kings 11:14-22
An Exiled Prince Wants Home
Hadad, a prince from Edom, a neighbouring kingdom, becomes Solomon's enemy. As a child, he had fled a campaign in which Joab, David's commander, killed Edom's males. Servants took him to Egypt. Its king gave him a home, food, land, and marriage into the royal family. His son grew up in that household. When Hadad hears that David and Joab are dead, he asks to return to his own country. Comfort abroad has not ended his wish to go home.
In everyday life
A refugee fills a suitcase in the flat where he has lived safely for years. News from home has stirred memories that his generous hosts cannot share. They ask what he lacks, but his wish to return is not about comfort. Hadad's exile began in a royal campaign of killing.
Notice
1 Kings 11:22 Hadad denies lacking anything in Egypt yet still asks to leave. Material safety does not remove his tie to the land he lost.
1 Kings 11:14-22
King James Version14And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king’s seed 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:)
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.
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.
1 Kings 11:23-28
Rivals Rise Outside and Within
Rezon, a former servant of a king defeated by David, gathers a band of men. They settle in Damascus, a city in Syria, where he rules and opposes Israel. The threats are not all foreign. Jeroboam, one of Solomon's servants, also turns against him. Solomon had noticed his hard work and put him over labour drawn from the northern tribes called Joseph's house. A man raised through royal service is now part of the trouble facing the throne.
In everyday life
A quarry foreman stands beside the work board while the crews ask him to speak against the owner. The same skill that won him promotion now gives him influence among dissatisfied workers. A leader can gain a rival from his own staff. Jeroboam's future rule also rests on a message from God.
Notice
1 Kings 11:28 Solomon promotes Jeroboam because he sees his ability and effort. The future rival first gains responsibility through the king's own judgment of his work.
1 Kings 11:23-28
King James Version23And 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.
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.
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.
1 Kings 11:29-39
A Torn Coat Promises Rule
Ahijah, a prophet from Shiloh, meets Jeroboam alone outside Jerusalem. He tears a new garment into twelve pieces and tells him to take ten. God will give him ten tribes because Solomon's people have turned to other gods. David's family will retain a share for David's sake and for Jerusalem. Jeroboam is promised a lasting royal line if he obeys God. The torn cloth makes the coming break visible. God will humble David's descendants through it, but not for ever.
In everyday life
A theatre cooperative chair cuts a paper seating plan into sections and places most before a departing director. The divided sheet makes the coming split plain to everyone at the table. The director's new role still carries terms. Ahijah acts alone with Jeroboam and speaks a promise from God.
Notice
1 Kings 11:38 Jeroboam's promised future depends on obedience, much like Solomon's did. Receiving power does not release the new ruler from the loyalty God requires.
1 Kings 11:29-39
King James Version29And 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:
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.
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.
1 Kings 11:40-43
Solomon Dies and His Son Reigns
Solomon tries to kill Jeroboam, who escapes to Egypt. Shishak, its king, shelters him until Solomon dies. The account then closes Solomon's reign by referring to a fuller record of his deeds and wisdom. He has ruled all Israel for forty years from Jerusalem. He is buried in the old royal district named for David. Rehoboam, his son, takes the throne. The succession follows the family line, while the rival promised most of the kingdom remains alive abroad.
In everyday life
A threatened union organiser waits in a relative's spare room far from the yard where he worked. News arrives that the owner has died and his son has taken charge. The change opens a future that had seemed closed. Jeroboam's return concerns a kingdom promised by God, not a workplace dispute.
Notice
1 Kings 11:40 Jeroboam survives the king's attempt to kill him by leaving the country. Solomon cannot remove the man named in the warning about his kingdom.
1 Kings 11:40-43
King James Version40Solomon 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.
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?
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.
Details worth noticing
The opening image
1 Kings 11:1 begins with “But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;”
Where the chapter turns
1 Kings 11:22 forms a natural hinge: “Then 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…”
The final note
1 Kings 11:43 leaves the reader with “And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.”
A word trail through the chapter
The words Solomon, David, LORD, Israel, Egypt, Hadad help reveal the chapter’s repeated concerns.
KJV words made clear
- concubines
- Women joined to a man as partners with lower standing than wives.
- rend
- To tear apart, here used for the breaking up of a kingdom.
Music and video connected to the passage
Related media appears when its Scripture reference overlaps this study. Music and video can illuminate a theme while the biblical text remains the foundation.
