1 Kings 11:21-31

21 But 1when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers and that Joab the commander of the army was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, "Send me away, that I may go to my own country."
22 Then Pharaoh said to him, "But what have you lacked with me, that behold, you are seeking to go to your own country?" And he answered, "Nothing; nevertheless you must surely let me go."
23 2God also raised up another adversary to him, Rezon the son of Eliada, who had fled from his lord 3Hadadezer king of Zobah.
24 He gathered men to himself and became leader of a marauding band, 4after David slew them of Zobah; and they went to Damascus and stayed there, and reigned in Damascus.
25 So he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, along with the evil that Hadad did; and he abhorred Israel and reigned over Aram.
26 Then 5Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow, 6also rebelled * against the king.
27 Now this was the reason why he rebelled * against the king: 7Solomon built the Millo, and closed up the breach of the city of his father David.
28 Now the man Jeroboam was a valiant warrior, and when 8Solomon saw that the young man was industrious, he appointed him over all the forced labor of the house of Joseph.
29 It came about at that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that 9the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him on the road. Now Ahijah had clothed himself with a new cloak; and both of them were alone in the field.
30 Then 10Ahijah took hold of the new cloak which was on him and tore it into twelve * pieces.
31 He said to Jeroboam, "Take for yourself ten pieces; for thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'Behold, 11I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and give you ten tribes

1 Kings 11:21-31 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 11

This chapter relates the false steps Solomon took, notwithstanding all his wisdom, in marrying strange wives, and worshipping other gods, 1Ki 11:1-8 upon which the Lord threatens him to rend the kingdom in his son's time, 1Ki 11:9-13 and he raised up adversaries against him, Hadad, Rezon, and Jeroboam, 1Ki 11:14-26 of which last an account is given, and of his being assured by Ahijah the prophet of his having ten of the tribes of Israel given to him; which Solomon having notice of sought to slay him, 1Ki 11:27-40 and the chapter is concluded with an account of Solomon's death and burial, 1Ki 11:41-43.

Cross References 11

  • 1. 1 Kings 2:10
  • 2. 1 Kings 11:14
  • 3. 2 Samuel 8:3; 2 Samuel 10:16
  • 4. 2 Samuel 10:8, 18
  • 5. 1 Kings 11:11, 28; 1 Kings 12:2, 20; 2 Chronicles 13:6
  • 6. 2 Samuel 20:21
  • 7. 1 Kings 9:15, 24
  • 8. Proverbs 22:29
  • 9. 1 Kings 12:15; 1 Kings 14:2; 2 Chronicles 9:29
  • 10. 1 Samuel 15:27, 28
  • 11. 1 Kings 11:11, 12

Footnotes 8

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California.  All rights reserved.