1 Kings 11 Summary - 5 Minute Bible Study

1 Kings 11 Short Summary:

In 1 Kings 11, Solomon’s story takes a sad turn, his foreign wives turn his heart away from God, and he begins building altars to idols. As a result, God raises up enemies against Solomon, including Jeroboam. God promises to split Solomon’s kingdom after his death and give Israel to Jeroboam. The end of the chapter records Solomon’s death at the end of his 40 year reign.

1 Kings 11 Extended Summary

WHEN:

• 1 Kings 11 records events that took place in the middle to late years of Solomon’s reign.

• Solomon was king for 40 years according to 1 Kings 11:42, from approximately 1015-975 B.C.

• This chapter moves through time quickly, from the middle of Solomon’s reign to his death.

CHARACTERS:

• Solomon – The son of David and the 3rd king of Israel and Judah.

• Hadad – An enemy of Israel. He was an Edomite who lived in Egypt for many years.

• Rezon – An enemy Israel. He was king in Damascus and reigned over Syria.

• Jeroboam – An Ephraimite who was originally a servant of Solomon. God selected him to be king over Israel after Solomon’s death.

• Ahijah – A prophet of God who brought a message to Jeroboam.

• Rehoboam – The son of Solomon and the 4th king of Israel and Judah. house.

WHERE:

• Solomon’s house and the Temple of the Lord were in Jerusalem.

OUTLINE:

• SOLOMON’S FOREIGN WIVES TURN HIS HEART FROM GOD (11:1-13):

  • Solomon married many foreign women: Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, Hittites, Egyptians, and probably others.

  • God’s law forbid Israelites from marrying foreign women because many foreigners were idol worshippers, and God didn’t want that influence amongst His people.

  • Solomon didn’t listen. He had 700 wives and 300 concubines, and they turned his heart away from God.

  • Solomon started honoring pagan gods like Ashtoreth, Milcom, Chemosh, and Molech.

  • God told Solomon He was going to take the kingdom from his family and give it to another.

  • For the sake of God’s promises to David, He would allow Solomon’s son to be king over one tribe, but the rest would defect.

• SOLOMON’S ENEMIES AND GOD’S SELECTION OF JEROBOAM (11:14-25):

  • God raised up enemies against Solomon.

  • The first was Hadad the Edomite. Hadad’s backstory is recorded in verses 14-22.

  • The second was Rezon. Rezon had previously served one of David’s enemies, Hadadezer of Zobah.

• GOD SELECTS JEROBOAM TO LEAD ISRAEL (11:26-40):

  • Jeroboam was a manager of Solomon’s building projects. He was an “industrious” man.

  • One day, when Jeroboam was walking out of Jerusalem, he was met by the prophet Ahijah.

  • Ahijah tore his garment into 12 pieces and told Jeroboam to take 10 of them.

  • God was going to tear the kingdom of Israel away from Solomon’s son and make Jeroboam king of 10 of the 12 tribes. 

  • God promised to bless Jeroboam’s rule and household if he would keep the laws and statutes of the Lord.

  • Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam, but he fled to Egypt.

• THE DEATH OF SOLOMON (11:41-43):

  • Other details about Solomon’s reign were recorded in the “Book of the Acts of Solomon” (not in the Bible).

  • Solomon died after reigning 40 years. His son Rehoboam reigned in his place.   

APPLICATION:

• Followers of God need to marry followers of God.

• It’s likely that no one in this world will influence your soul as much as your spouse.

• As Solomon shows us, choosing the wrong woman (or women, in his case) can have devastating consequences on you, and on those in your sphere of influence. The same is true for a woman who marries the wrong man.