13
Solomon reigned at a time of peace. God gave him tranquillity on every side, so that he might build a house for God's name and prepare a sanctuary that would last forever.
14
How wise you were in your youth! You were filled like a river with understanding.
15
Your spirit filled the earth, and you were full of puzzling proverbs.
16
Your name reached faraway islands, and you were dearly loved because of your peaceful rule.
17
Countries marveled at you on account of your songs, parables, proverbs, and teachings.
18
In the Lord God's name, who is called God over Israel, you collected gold like tin, and you amassed silver like lead.
19
You gave yourself to women, and you were subdued by your own body.
20
You brought disgrace on your honor, and you polluted your offspring, so that you brought punishment upon your children and caused pain because of your foolishness.
21
Your empire became divided, and a rival kingdom sprang up out of Ephraim.
22
But the Lord will never abandon his mercy, and none of his words will perish. He will never wipe out the descendants of his chosen one, and never take away the descendants of the one who loved him. Therefore, he gave a remnant to Jacob and a root to David from his family.
Establishment of the northern kingdom
23 Solomon rested with his ancestors, and he left behind one of his offspring— Rehoboam, a foolish man among the people, one lacking understanding. He caused the people to rebel because of his policy, led by Jeroboam, Nebat's son, who made Israel sin and set Ephraim on its sinful path.