1 Kings 11:1-43
Q.1. What contributed to Solomon’s downfall? Why was the kingdom spared from complete destruction? – (1 Kgs.11:1-13)
As wise as Solomon was, he was a sinner at heart. He disregarded the warnings against fraternizing with the surrounding nations – You shall not associate with them, nor shall they associate with you, for they shall surely turn your heart away to their gods (1 Kgs.11:1-2 c.f. Exo.23:31-33; 34:12-16; Deut.7:1-6). Solomon’s self-indulgence was with women – He had seven hundred wives and princesses, and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned his heart away. For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been (1 Kgs.11:3-4 c.f. 1 Kgs.11:5-8). God warned Solomon, that if he broke the covenant with the Lord, his kingdom would be torn away from him. Sadly, there is no record that Solomon cried out to God in repentance (1 Kgs.11:9-10). However, because of God’s regard for the legacy of David, this judgment was delayed. Moreover, God promised – I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen (1 Kgs.11:13 c.f. 1 Kgs.11:32, 34, 36). We all know about David’s failure. However, God understood that he was a sinner, as are all other people born of Adam. As God had told the prophet Samuel – God sees not as a man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart (c.f. 1 Sam.16:7).
Q.2. How great was God’s offer to Jeroboam through the prophet Ahijah? – (1 Kgs.11:14-40)
Toward the end of his reign, Solomon began to experience trouble and strife from within and without. One opponent was Jeroboam. The Bible gives us – the reason why he rebelled against the king: … (1 Kgs.11:27). Primarily, this took place because of an offer made by God Himself through the prophet Ahijah (1 Kgs.11:29-31). Jeroboam was graphically reminded of God’s promise to David to reserve a tribe for him (1 Kgs.11:29-32). He was told that the offer was given as a result of Solomon’s evil, in turning to the vile gods of the surrounding nations (1 Kgs.11:33). However, this warning was also ignored by Jeroboam. It is noteworthy that God’s offer was amazingly generous – I will take you, and you shall reign over whatever you desire, and you shall be king over Israel. Then it will be, that if you listen to all I command you and walk in My ways and do what is right in My sight by observing My statutes and commandments, as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build you an enduring house as I built for David, and I will give Israel to you (1 Kgs.11:37-38). Jeroboam would indeed become the king of Israel but would be remembered for all the wrong reasons in the generations to come. Rather than repent, Solomon tried to assassinate Jeroboam (1 Kgs.11:40). Solomon had started with many advantages. He – reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years (1 Kgs.11:42-43). He summed up his life – Vanity of vanities! All is vanity (Ecc.1:2). Solomon had enjoyed a very prosperous and happy season in his early reign, but at the end of his life, he was despondent and disillusioned.