1 Kings 11:9-14

The Lord Raises Adversaries

9 And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because ¹his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, ²who had appeared to him twice

10 and ³had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what the LORD commanded.

11 Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, "Since this has been your practice and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, ⁴I will surely tear the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant.

12 Yet for the sake of David your father I will not do it in your days, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son.

13 However, ⁵I will not tear away all the kingdom, but ⁶I will give one tribe to your son, for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem ⁷that I have chosen."

14 And the LORD raised up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite. He was of the royal house in Edom.

1 Kings 11:9-14 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

• 1. ver. 2, 4
• 2. 1 Kings 3:5; 1 Kings 9:2
• 3. 1 Kings 6:12; 1 Kings 9:6
• 4. ver. 31; [1 Kings 12:15, 16]
• 5. [2 Samuel 7:15; Psalms 89:33]
• 6. ver. 32, 36; [1 Kings 12:20]
• 7. Deuteronomy 12:5, 11