I Kings 11: Solomon's Apostasy and Its Consequences
But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;
Of 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.
And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.
For 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.
For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father.
Then 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.
And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.
And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,
And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the Lord commanded.
Wherefore 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.
Notwithstanding 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.
Howbeit 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.
And the Lord stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king’s seed in Edom.
For 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;
(For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom:)
That Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father’s servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad being yet a little child.
And 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.
And 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.
And 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.
And 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.
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 me go in any wise.
And God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah:
And 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.
And 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.
And 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.
And 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.
And 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.
And 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:
And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces:
And 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:
(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:)
Because 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.
Howbeit 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:
But I will take the kingdom out of his son’s hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes.
And 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.
And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel.
And 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.
And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever.
Solomon 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.
And 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?
And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.
And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.
I Kings 11 marks a tragic turning point in the life of Solomon, a man once renowned for his wisdom and devotion to God. This chapter details his descent into idolatry, driven by his many foreign wives, and the ensuing judgment from the Lord. It serves as a stark reminder that even the wisest and most blessed individuals are vulnerable to temptation and the devastating consequences of disobedience. This chapter also sets the stage for the divided kingdom which will be discussed in the subsequent chapters.
Solomon's Disobedience (I Kings 11:1-8)
I Kings 11:1-3 presents a heartbreaking picture of Solomon's deviation from God's commands. He accumulated numerous foreign wives and concubines, contrary to God's original design for marriage (Genesis 2:24) and the explicit warnings against intermarrying with surrounding nations (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). God knew that these women would turn the hearts of the Israelites away from Him, and Solomon, tragically, ignored this clear prohibition. Deuteronomy 17:17 specifically warned the king against multiplying wives, "lest his heart turn away." Solomon, however, multiplied them hundreds of times over, having seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines.
I Kings 11:4 reiterates the core issue: Solomon's wives turned his heart after other gods. It is particularly sobering that this occurred in his old age, suggesting a gradual erosion of his spiritual vitality over decades of accommodating foreign worship. This detail doesn't excuse his sin, but highlights the insidious nature of compromise. He was no longer wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord, unlike his father David. The comparison to David is significant because Solomon was the heir to God's promise of an everlasting throne through David's lineage. While David also sinned grievously, he repented and turned back to God. Solomon, however, continued down a path of disobedience.
I Kings 11:5-8 provides a shocking list of the false gods and goddesses that Solomon began to follow: Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians; Milcom, the detestable god of the Ammonites; and Chemosh, the abomination of Moab. He built high places for these idols, directly contravening God's command. The text explicitly states that Solomon did what was evil in the Lord's sight (I Kings 11:6), as these idols were detestable (I Kings 11:7). The irony is profound: the king who built the magnificent temple for the one true God was now constructing places of worship for idols, all to appease his foreign wives (I Kings 11:8). To say that he did not remain loyal to the Lord (I Kings 11:6) is a gross understatement.
God's Judgment (I Kings 11:9-13)
I Kings 11:9-10 emphasizes the severity of Solomon's sin in light of God's previous blessings and warnings. The Lord had appeared to Solomon twice in dreams and made tremendous promises to him (I Kings 3:5-15; 9:1-9). Yet, despite this divine favor, Solomon turned his heart away from God. Understandably, the Lord was angry (I Kings 11:9). He had specifically warned Solomon, yet Solomon disregarded Him (I Kings 11:10).
I Kings 11:11-13 reveals God's judgment: the kingdom would be torn away from Solomon and given to another. Though Solomon's kingdom likely seemed invincible, its division was imminent. However, God tempered His judgment out of faithfulness to His covenant with David and His love for Jerusalem. Solomon's son would retain one tribe (I Kings 11:13), while the rest would be given to Solomon's servant (I Kings 11:11). The split would occur after Solomon's death, and his son would still have a throne, not because Solomon deserved leniency, but for the sake of David and Jerusalem (I Kings 11:12-13).
Scripture doesn’t explicitly tell us how Solomon reacted to this message of judgment. However, God’s judgment was final.
Adversaries Arise (I Kings 11:14-25)
I Kings 11:14-25 demonstrates that God's judgment was not merely a future threat but a present reality. During Solomon's reign, God stirred up adversaries against him, both foreign and domestic.
Hadad the Edomite (I Kings 11:14-22) was a survivor of Joab's brutal slaughter of the Edomite males during David's reign. As a young member of the Edomite royal family, Hadad found refuge in Egypt, where he gained favor with Pharaoh, receiving a house, land, and a wife (I Kings 11:18-19). However, upon hearing of David and Joab's deaths, Hadad sought to return to Edom, undoubtedly fueled by hatred and a desire for revenge against Israel (I Kings 11:21-22).
Rezon (I Kings 11:23-25) was another adversary raised up by God (I Kings 11:23). He became the leader of a raiding party during David's reign, causing trouble for Israel throughout Solomon's reign (I Kings 11:24-25). Rezon eventually became king of Aram and harbored animosity towards Israel (I Kings 11:25).
Jeroboam's Rebellion (I Kings 11:26-40)
I Kings 11:26-40 introduces the most significant of Solomon's adversaries: Jeroboam, described as Solomon's "servant" (I Kings 11:11). A capable man from the tribe of Ephraim, the leading tribe in the north (I Kings 11:26), Solomon had appointed him over the labor force of the house of Joseph (I Kings 11:28). However, Jeroboam eventually rebelled against Solomon (I Kings 11:27).
The reasons for Jeroboam's rebellion are revealed in the subsequent chapter (I Kings 12) from a human perspective. However, I Kings 11:29-40 reveals the divine perspective: Jeroboam's rebellion was part of God's plan to tear the kingdom apart because of Solomon's sin.
Jeroboam's rise to power was confirmed by a prophetic announcement from Ahijah (I Kings 11:29-36). Ahijah visually demonstrated his message by tearing his cloak into twelve pieces and giving ten pieces to Jeroboam (I Kings 11:29-31). God told Jeroboam through Ahijah that he would tear the kingdom from Solomon, though not during Solomon’s lifetime (I Kings 11:31, 34). Jeroboam would be given ten of Israel's tribes to rule (I Kings 11:31, 35). For the sake of David and Jerusalem, the Lord would grant one tribe to Solomon's son (I Kings 11:32, 36). (The missing tribe, Benjamin, would side with Judah; see I Kings 12:21). Ahijah provided God's justification for this judgment: the people, led by King Solomon, had abandoned God and bowed down to the false gods of the nations (I Kings 11:33).
God made a remarkable promise to Jeroboam (I Kings 11:37-39). Just as Solomon had appointed him over the “labor force of the house of Joseph” (I Kings 11:28), God would appoint him as king over Israel (I Kings 11:37). God even promised to build Jeroboam a lasting dynasty if he would obey Him (I Kings 11:38). Sadly, despite this prospect and high hopes, Jeroboam would fail royally, as the subsequent chapters reveal.
Solomon's Death (I Kings 11:40-43)
I Kings 11:40-43 concludes with Solomon's death. Solomon apparently learned about Ahijah's prophecy and sought to kill Jeroboam, who fled to the safety of Egypt until Solomon died (I Kings 11:40). This is the last recorded act of Solomon. He reigned forty years like his father, David (I Kings 11:42), but sadly, he did not remain loyal to the Lord like David had (I Kings 11:6). His son Rehoboam succeeded him (I Kings 11:43), inheriting a kingdom on the brink of division.
This chapter serves as a solemn warning about the dangers of compromise and the far-reaching consequences of disobedience. Even a man as wise and blessed as Solomon could fall prey to temptation and bring judgment upon himself and his kingdom. The story of Solomon in I Kings 11 reminds us of the importance of remaining steadfast in our devotion to God and guarding our hearts against the allure of worldly influences.
But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;
Of 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.
And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.
For 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.
For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father.
Then 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.
And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.
And the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,
And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the Lord commanded.
Wherefore 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.
Notwithstanding 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.
Howbeit 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.
And the Lord stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king’s seed in Edom.
For 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;
(For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom:)
That Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father’s servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad being yet a little child.
And 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.
And 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.
And 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.
And 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.
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 me go in any wise.
And God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah:
And 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.
And 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.
And 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.
And 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.
And 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.
And 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:
And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces:
And 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:
(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:)
Because 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.
Howbeit 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:
But I will take the kingdom out of his son’s hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes.
And 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.
And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel.
And 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.
And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever.
Solomon 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.
And 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?
And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.
And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.
I Kings 11 marks a tragic turning point in the life of Solomon, a man once renowned for his wisdom and devotion to God. This chapter details his descent into idolatry, driven by his many foreign wives, and the ensuing judgment from the Lord. It serves as a stark reminder that even the wisest and most blessed individuals are vulnerable to temptation and the devastating consequences of disobedience. This chapter also sets the stage for the divided kingdom which will be discussed in the subsequent chapters.
Solomon's Disobedience (I Kings 11:1-8)
I Kings 11:1-3 presents a heartbreaking picture of Solomon's deviation from God's commands. He accumulated numerous foreign wives and concubines, contrary to God's original design for marriage (Genesis 2:24) and the explicit warnings against intermarrying with surrounding nations (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). God knew that these women would turn the hearts of the Israelites away from Him, and Solomon, tragically, ignored this clear prohibition. Deuteronomy 17:17 specifically warned the king against multiplying wives, "lest his heart turn away." Solomon, however, multiplied them hundreds of times over, having seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines.
I Kings 11:4 reiterates the core issue: Solomon's wives turned his heart after other gods. It is particularly sobering that this occurred in his old age, suggesting a gradual erosion of his spiritual vitality over decades of accommodating foreign worship. This detail doesn't excuse his sin, but highlights the insidious nature of compromise. He was no longer wholeheartedly devoted to the Lord, unlike his father David. The comparison to David is significant because Solomon was the heir to God's promise of an everlasting throne through David's lineage. While David also sinned grievously, he repented and turned back to God. Solomon, however, continued down a path of disobedience.
I Kings 11:5-8 provides a shocking list of the false gods and goddesses that Solomon began to follow: Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians; Milcom, the detestable god of the Ammonites; and Chemosh, the abomination of Moab. He built high places for these idols, directly contravening God's command. The text explicitly states that Solomon did what was evil in the Lord's sight (I Kings 11:6), as these idols were detestable (I Kings 11:7). The irony is profound: the king who built the magnificent temple for the one true God was now constructing places of worship for idols, all to appease his foreign wives (I Kings 11:8). To say that he did not remain loyal to the Lord (I Kings 11:6) is a gross understatement.
God's Judgment (I Kings 11:9-13)
I Kings 11:9-10 emphasizes the severity of Solomon's sin in light of God's previous blessings and warnings. The Lord had appeared to Solomon twice in dreams and made tremendous promises to him (I Kings 3:5-15; 9:1-9). Yet, despite this divine favor, Solomon turned his heart away from God. Understandably, the Lord was angry (I Kings 11:9). He had specifically warned Solomon, yet Solomon disregarded Him (I Kings 11:10).
I Kings 11:11-13 reveals God's judgment: the kingdom would be torn away from Solomon and given to another. Though Solomon's kingdom likely seemed invincible, its division was imminent. However, God tempered His judgment out of faithfulness to His covenant with David and His love for Jerusalem. Solomon's son would retain one tribe (I Kings 11:13), while the rest would be given to Solomon's servant (I Kings 11:11). The split would occur after Solomon's death, and his son would still have a throne, not because Solomon deserved leniency, but for the sake of David and Jerusalem (I Kings 11:12-13).
Scripture doesn’t explicitly tell us how Solomon reacted to this message of judgment. However, God’s judgment was final.
Adversaries Arise (I Kings 11:14-25)
I Kings 11:14-25 demonstrates that God's judgment was not merely a future threat but a present reality. During Solomon's reign, God stirred up adversaries against him, both foreign and domestic.
Hadad the Edomite (I Kings 11:14-22) was a survivor of Joab's brutal slaughter of the Edomite males during David's reign. As a young member of the Edomite royal family, Hadad found refuge in Egypt, where he gained favor with Pharaoh, receiving a house, land, and a wife (I Kings 11:18-19). However, upon hearing of David and Joab's deaths, Hadad sought to return to Edom, undoubtedly fueled by hatred and a desire for revenge against Israel (I Kings 11:21-22).
Rezon (I Kings 11:23-25) was another adversary raised up by God (I Kings 11:23). He became the leader of a raiding party during David's reign, causing trouble for Israel throughout Solomon's reign (I Kings 11:24-25). Rezon eventually became king of Aram and harbored animosity towards Israel (I Kings 11:25).
Jeroboam's Rebellion (I Kings 11:26-40)
I Kings 11:26-40 introduces the most significant of Solomon's adversaries: Jeroboam, described as Solomon's "servant" (I Kings 11:11). A capable man from the tribe of Ephraim, the leading tribe in the north (I Kings 11:26), Solomon had appointed him over the labor force of the house of Joseph (I Kings 11:28). However, Jeroboam eventually rebelled against Solomon (I Kings 11:27).
The reasons for Jeroboam's rebellion are revealed in the subsequent chapter (I Kings 12) from a human perspective. However, I Kings 11:29-40 reveals the divine perspective: Jeroboam's rebellion was part of God's plan to tear the kingdom apart because of Solomon's sin.
Jeroboam's rise to power was confirmed by a prophetic announcement from Ahijah (I Kings 11:29-36). Ahijah visually demonstrated his message by tearing his cloak into twelve pieces and giving ten pieces to Jeroboam (I Kings 11:29-31). God told Jeroboam through Ahijah that he would tear the kingdom from Solomon, though not during Solomon’s lifetime (I Kings 11:31, 34). Jeroboam would be given ten of Israel's tribes to rule (I Kings 11:31, 35). For the sake of David and Jerusalem, the Lord would grant one tribe to Solomon's son (I Kings 11:32, 36). (The missing tribe, Benjamin, would side with Judah; see I Kings 12:21). Ahijah provided God's justification for this judgment: the people, led by King Solomon, had abandoned God and bowed down to the false gods of the nations (I Kings 11:33).
God made a remarkable promise to Jeroboam (I Kings 11:37-39). Just as Solomon had appointed him over the “labor force of the house of Joseph” (I Kings 11:28), God would appoint him as king over Israel (I Kings 11:37). God even promised to build Jeroboam a lasting dynasty if he would obey Him (I Kings 11:38). Sadly, despite this prospect and high hopes, Jeroboam would fail royally, as the subsequent chapters reveal.
Solomon's Death (I Kings 11:40-43)
I Kings 11:40-43 concludes with Solomon's death. Solomon apparently learned about Ahijah's prophecy and sought to kill Jeroboam, who fled to the safety of Egypt until Solomon died (I Kings 11:40). This is the last recorded act of Solomon. He reigned forty years like his father, David (I Kings 11:42), but sadly, he did not remain loyal to the Lord like David had (I Kings 11:6). His son Rehoboam succeeded him (I Kings 11:43), inheriting a kingdom on the brink of division.
This chapter serves as a solemn warning about the dangers of compromise and the far-reaching consequences of disobedience. Even a man as wise and blessed as Solomon could fall prey to temptation and bring judgment upon himself and his kingdom. The story of Solomon in I Kings 11 reminds us of the importance of remaining steadfast in our devotion to God and guarding our hearts against the allure of worldly influences.