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1 Kings 11

43 verses

TL;DR

Solomon’s indulgence in foreign wives and idolatry leads God to decree a division of the kingdom, prophesied by Ahijah, while other political adversaries are stirred against Israel.

Summary

The chapter opens with Solomon’s marriage to many foreign women, leading him to worship Ashtoreth, Milcom, Chemosh, and other deities. His heart turns from the Lord, and He threatens to take the kingdom from Solomon, though he will keep one tribe for David’s sake. God calls out an adversary, Hadad of Edom, and recounts his exile to Egypt and subsequent return. Rezon of Zobah and other leaders rise in opposition to Israel. Ahijah the Shilonite encounters Jeroboam, cuts his garment into pieces, and prophesies that ten tribes will be given to him while one remains for Jerusalem. The narrative continues with Solomon’s desire to kill Jeroboam, Jeroboam’s flight to Egypt, and a brief account of Solomon’s reign and death. The book ends noting that Solomon’s wisdom is recorded elsewhere.

Outline
  1. Solomon’s idolatry and God’s judgment on Israel’s future.
  2. Prophetic warning to Jeroboam and the decree of a divided kingdom.
  3. Political adversaries and the aftermath of Solomon’s reign.
Themes
Fidelity to covenant vs. idolatryDivine judgment and mercyPolitical fragmentation and its causes
Keywords
idolatrycovenantJerusalemSolomonJeroboamAhijahEdomEphraimkingdomprophecy
People
SolomonDavidPharaohHadadRezonJeroboamAhijahShishakTahpenesGenubathJoabEliadahHadadezerNebatZeruah
Places
JerusalemEdomMoabZidoniaAmmonPharaoh’s EgyptParanDamascusZobahMilloZeredaShishak’s EgyptIsrael
Things
idolatrous altarshigh placeskingdom of IsraelJerusalem’s templeJeroboam’s garmentprophetic covenantwisdom of Solomon
Key Verses
  • 1 Kings 11:12: God’s declaration of the kingdom’s division directly following Solomon’s disobedience.
  • 1 Kings 11:30-33: Ahijah’s cutting of Jeroboam’s garment and the prophetic announcement of the split kingdom.
  • 1 Kings 11:34-38: The promise that God will remain with those who follow Him, echoing the covenant with David.
Questions
  • What led Solomon to marry foreign women, and how did that decision reflect on his kingship?
  • How does God’s promise to keep one tribe for David’s sake shape the narrative of Israel’s future?
  • What is the significance of Ahijah’s gesture with Jeroboam’s garment?
  • In what ways do the political adversaries (Hadad, Rezon) illustrate the broader consequences of Israel’s disobedience?
  • How does the chapter balance judgment and mercy in its portrayal of God’s relationship with Israel?
Sentiment

mixed
The chapter contains reproach and judgment but also prophetic hope and promise.