Main Highlights
The chapter details Solomon's tragic downfall due to his disobedience to God's commands regarding marriage to foreign women and the subsequent introduction of idolatry into Israel.
Key Verses
"Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, from the nations concerning which the Lord had said to the people of Israel, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love."— 1 Kings 11:1-2
"For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father."— 1 Kings 11:4
"So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and did not wholly follow the Lord, as David his father had done."— 1 Kings 11:6
"And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what the Lord commanded."— 1 Kings 11:9-10
"Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, “Since this has been your mind and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant. Yet for the sake of David your father I will not do it in your days, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son. However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son, for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem that I have chosen."— 1 Kings 11:11-13
"And the Lord raised up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite. He was of the royal family in Edom."— 1 Kings 11:14
"And God also raised up as an adversary to him Rezon the son of Eliada, who had fled from his master Hadadezer king of Zobah."— 1 Kings 11:23
"Jeroboam 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."— 1 Kings 11:26
"And Ahijah laid hold of the new garment that was on him and tore it into twelve pieces. Then he said to Jeroboam, 'Take for yourself ten pieces, for thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, Behold, I am about to tear the kingdom from the hand of Solomon and will give you ten tribes (but he shall have one tribe, for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city that I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel), because they have forsaken me and worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the Ammonites, and they have not walked in my ways, doing what is right in my sight and keeping my statutes and my rules, as David his father did."— 1 Kings 11:30-33
"And Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. But Jeroboam arose and fled into Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, and remained in Egypt until the death of Solomon."— 1 Kings 11:40
Related Scripture
"Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”"— 1 Corinthians 15:33
Scholar Insight
"Solomon's decline is a warning to all leaders. His failure to guard his heart and remain faithful to God had devastating consequences, not only for himself but for the entire nation. – Dale Ralph Davis, 1 Kings: The Wisdom and the Folly (Fearn: Christian Focus, 2004), p. 132."
Theological Analysis
What we learn about God
We learn about God's justice, faithfulness to his covenant, and his holiness. "The Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice." (1 Kings 11:9)
Christological Connection
Solomon's failure points to the need for a truly righteous king, one who would remain faithful and obedient to God in all things.
Systematic Theology
The doctrine of sin and its consequences. Sin has far-reaching and devastating effects.
Law & Grace
Solomon's transgression of the law brought judgment, but God's grace is seen in his promise to preserve the kingdom of David's line and to keep a remnant faithful.
Personal Application
We must be vigilant against temptation, guard our hearts, and remain faithful to God in all things. We must learn from the mistakes of others and strive to live lives that are pleasing to God. "Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall." (1 Corinthians 10:12)