1 Kings 11

Jeroboam Rebels Against Solomon (11:26–40)

26–28 In addition to Hadad and Rezon (verses 14–25), a third and more serious adversary arose from within the ranks of Solomon’s own officials. This was Jeroboam, whom Solomon had put in charge of all the conscripted laborers from the house of Joseph (verse 28)—that is, from the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh (Joseph’s sons), the largest of the ten northern tribes.⁵⁶

29–33 God sent the prophet Ahijah to meet Jeroboam. Ahijah tore his cloak in twelve pieces and gave Jeroboam ten of them; then he explained to Jeroboam the meaning of what he had done. Ahijah basically repeated to Jeroboam what the Lord had already told Solomon (see verses 9–13 and comment). In giving thereason for theLord’sdecisionto give ten tribes to Jeroboam, Ahijah said that they (Solomon and his people) had forsaken the Lord by worshiping other gods (verse 33). From this we can understand that many of the people had followed Solomon’s example and had begun to worship the gods of his foreign wives (see verses 4–8).

34 —36 Then Ahijah told Jeroboam that in accordance with the Lord’s word to Solomon (verse 12), the ten tribes would not be taken from Solomon during his lifetime; rather, they would be taken from his son’s hands (verse 35)—namely, from Rehoboam (verse 43). Furthermore, Judah would be left to Rehoboam so that David would always have a lamp⁵⁷ in Jerusalem (verse 36)—that is, a living descendant to continue his line.

37–39 Then Ahijah, speakingforthe Lord, told Jeroboam that he would be king over Israel (verse 37)—over the ten northern tribes. But Ahijah added that the same covenant stipulations that had applied to Solomon would also apply to Jeroboam (see 1 Kings 2:3; 6:12–13). Then Ahijah added a significant comment: I will humble David’s descendants because of this (Solomon’s sin), but not forever (verse 39). The division of Solomon’s kingdom did humble David’s descendants: it cut their territory in half. But their humbled state would not last forever; one day the kingdom would be reunited under a Son of David yet to come, Jesus Christ (see Ezekiel 37:15–28; Hosea 3:4–5; Amos 9:11–12).

40 Solomon somehow learned that Jeroboam was planning to rule over the northern tribes; perhaps Jeroboam had started a rebellion without waiting for Solomon to die. In any event, Solomon forced Jeroboam to flee to Egypt, which at that time had a new king named Shishak.⁵⁸

Solomon’s Death (11:41–43)

(2 Chronicles 9:29–31)

41–43 Here the writer briefly notes the length of Solomon’s reign, forty years, and his burial in Jerusalem. He also cites one of the historical documents from which he compiled his books of 1 and 2 Kings: the book of the annals of Solomon.⁵⁹

Solomon’s life and death teaches us one thing above all: it is our relationship with God that brings lasting success, not our ability or wisdom. Solomon lost his relationship with God, and at the end of his life he realized that, apart from God, everything was meaningless (Ecclesiastes 12:8). Solomon’s final words to us are these: Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man (Ecclesiastes 12:13).