1 Kings Chapter 11

At a Glance

  • Chapter 11 deepens the moral and spiritual arc of Solomon’s reign by turning from public splendor to private peril.
  • Historical & Literary Context.
  • Solomon’s downfall in 1 Kings 11 is placed within the larger narrative arc of the Deuteronomistic history, which explains both the rise and fall of kings through covenant fidelity or apostasy.
  • - Covenant fidelity versus syncretism: Solomon’s alliances with foreign peoples threaten exclusive devotion to the LORD.
  • - The hazard of wealth and prestige: Prosperity becomes a spiritual risk that can lull into idolatry.

CHAPTER REFERENCE

Chapter Overview

Chapter 11 deepens the moral and spiritual arc of Solomon’s reign by turning from public splendor to private peril. The chapter opens with a stark contrast: the delight of wisdom and prosperity in public life is undermined by the private passions of Solomon. The narrator records that Solomon “loved many strange women,” including foreign wives from Egypt and Canaanite nations. This entanglement leads his heart away from the LORD, and the text emphasizes that his devotion is not wholehearted as in David. The consequences are grave: Solomon builds high places for Ashtoreth, Chemosh, and Molech and allows his wives to incite him into idolatry. The Lord’s anger ignites, not simply because of a single misstep but because Solomon’s heart has turned away after other gods, breaking the covenant he had with the LORD.

The chapter then details the political and prophetic repercussions: God declares that the kingdom will be torn from Solomon and given to his servant, though not completely, to preserve David’s lineage for the sake of Jerusalem and God’s chosen. The narrative is compressed with a grim inevitability—though the covenant promises persistence, the consequences of idolatry are severe. Solomon’s eventual spiritual decline starkly foreshadows the division of the kingdom after his son Rehoboam. The chapter closes with a sense of judgment within blessing. While the kingdom remains intact for the present, the seeds of division and apostasy have been sown, and the text foregrounds the sobering truth that even the most wise and privileged can falter when they abandon wholehearted faithfulness to the LORD.

Historical & Literary Context

Solomon’s downfall in 1 Kings 11 is placed within the larger narrative arc of the Deuteronomistic history, which explains both the rise and fall of kings through covenant fidelity or apostasy. The chapter, written as part of a historical epic with theological critique, demonstrates that wisdom and wealth do not guarantee steadfast faith. It fits as a counterpoint to the prior chapter’s high point with the Queen of Sheba, showing that external signs of success do not guarantee internal devotion. The genre remains historical narrative, but the embedded commentary signals that God tests and disciplines even those who appear blessed, reminding readers that true wisdom includes fidelity and obedience. The chapter forms a hinge that leads toward the subsequent division of the kingdom, setting up Rehoboam’s failed leadership as the consequence of Solomon’s divided heart.

Key Themes

- Covenant fidelity versus syncretism: Solomon’s alliances with foreign peoples threaten exclusive devotion to the LORD.

- The hazard of wealth and prestige: Prosperity becomes a spiritual risk that can lull into idolatry.

- The boundary of wisdom: Knowledge and political power require a faithful heart to sustain them in God’s purposes.

- Judgment and mercy in tension: God’s anger is real, but the covenant promises persist for David’s line.

- The fragility of leadership: Even the wisest can falter, highlighting the need for continual repentance and reliance on God.

Modern Application

1 Kings 11 speaks directly to leaders and laypeople wrestling with the allure of power, wealth, and cultural compromise. In modern life, it’s easy to domesticate faith into a tolerable supplement rather than a defining allegiance. The chapter invites readers to examine where they may be entertaining “strange” alliances—ideologies, practices, or relationships that threaten wholehearted devotion to God. The call to loyalty is not a denial of complexity or influence but a plea to place God at the center of all leadership decisions. The consequences of Solomon’s divided heart echo in contemporary church life: public success without spiritual integrity can erode a people’s fidelity to God. Yet the text also offers grace-filled realism: the Davidic line persists, and God remains committed to his promises. This can inspire a posture of humility, prayer, and renewed covenant faithfulness, asking: What do I need to uproot or re-center in my life to remain faithful to the LORD?

- Deuteronomy 7 (warnings against alliances with nations to avoid idolatry)

- 2 Chronicles 9 (parallel expansions of wealth and wisdom with cautionary notes)

- Jeremiah 17:5-10 (the danger of trusting human power over the LORD)

- Hosea 3 (the longing for wholehearted devotion amid infidelity)

Recommended Personas

- David (contrast with his heart for the LORD)

- Solomon (for insider reflection on wisdom, power, and temptation)

- Elijah (for prophetic voice against cultic compromise)

Chapter Text

1

But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;

2

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.

3

And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.

4

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.

5

For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.

6

And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father.

7

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.

8

And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.

9

And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,

10

And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.

11

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.

12

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.

13

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.

14

And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king’s seed in Edom.

15

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;

16

(For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom:)

17

That Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father’s servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad being yet a little child.

18

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.

19

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.

20

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.

21

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.

22

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.

23

And God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah:

24

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.

25

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.

26

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.

27

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.

28

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.

29

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:

30

And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces:

31

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:

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:)

33

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.

34

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:

35

But I will take the kingdom out of his son’s hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes.

36

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.

37

And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel.

38

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.

39

And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever.

40

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.

41

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?

42

And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.

43

And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.

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