Bible Commentaries
1 Kings 11

Verse 1

strange = foreign. Note the frequent reference to these in the Book of Proverbs. Note the three steps in Solomon's fall: wealth, weapons, and women. Compare Deuteronomy 17:16-17 , where note the items in which Solomon failed.

Verse 3

children = sons.

Verse 4

not perfect. See note on 1 Kings 8:61 .

as = according to. David was faultless as to idolatry.

Verse 5

Ashtoreth. Compare Judges 2:13 . 1Sa 7:3 ; 1 Samuel 12:10 ; 1 Samuel 31:10 .

Milcom. Same as Malcham, the Aramaic pronunciation of Molech (1 Kings 11:7 ). See Zephaniah 1:5 . Translated "their king" (Jeremiah 49:1 .Amos 1:15; Amos 1:15 ).

abomination. The word used for an idol by Figure of speech Metonymy (of Effect), because of Jehovah's hatred which it produced. Compare 2 Kings 23:13 .Daniel 9:27 .

Verse 6

evil = the evil. Hebrew. ra'a' . App-44 .

Verse 7

Chemosh. Compare Numbers 21:29 . Jeremiah 48:7 , Jeremiah 48:13 , Jeremiah 48:46 ; 2 Kings 23:13 .

the hill, &c. = Mount of Olives! Hence called "the Mount of Corruption" (2 Kings 23:13 ).

Molech. Generally has the article and denotes the king-idol (Leviticus 18:21 ; Leviticus 20:2 , Leviticus 20:3 , Leviticus 20:4 , Leviticus 20:5 ; Leviticus 11:7 . 2 Kings 23:10 . Jeremiah 32:35 ). Isaiah 30:33 with Isaiah 57:9 may be Molech, the idol, and not Melek, "king".

Verse 9

angry. Figure of speech Prosopopoeia. App-6 . Hebrew. 'anaph . Used only of Divine anger. Occurs fourteen times: six in the Hithpael = to force one's self to be angry (as with one loved). See the six: Deuteronomy 1:37 ; Deuteronomy 4:21 ; Deuteronomy 9:8 , Deuteronomy 9:20 . Deu 11:7 . 2 Kings 17:18 .

twice. Compare 1 Kings 3:5 ; 1 Kings 9:2 .

Verse 10

had commanded him. Compare 1 Kings 6:12 .

commanded. Some codices, with three early printed editions, Septuagint, Syriac, and Vulgate, add "him".

Verse 11

will surely rend = a rending I will rend. Figure of speech Polyptoton. App-6 . See note on Genesis 26:28 . Genesis 26:13

Verse 13

one tribe. Benjamin reckoned as part of Judah.

Verse 14

an adversary = a Satan.

Verse 15

it came to pass, &c. Compare 2 Samuel 8:3-13 . Joab. Compare Psalms 60:0 , title, and see note on 2 Samuel 8:13 .

every male: i.e. who did not flee, as Hadad did. Supply Figure of speech Ellipsis ( App-6 ), "every male [whom he found] in Edom". See 1 Kings 11:17 .

Verse 16

six months. See note on 2 Samuel 8:13 . Note also Figure of speech Parenthesis ( App-6 ), 1 Kings 11:16 .

Verse 21

slept with his fathers. See note on Deuteronomy 31:16 .

Verse 25

reigned. David had subdued Syria ( 2Sa 8:3 , 2 Samuel 8:6 ; 2 Samuel 10:8 , 2 Samuel 10:18 ). Now Solomon, weakened by sin, loses Syria.

Verse 26

Ephrathite = Ephraimite, as in 1 Samuel 1:1 . Not a Bethlehemite, as in Ruth 1:2 . Zealous therefore for his tribe as against Judah.

a widow. One of the nine widows mentioned in Scripture. See note on Genesis 38:19 .

Verse 27

Millo = the Millo. See note on 1 Kings 9:15 .

Verse 28

made him ruler = gave him oversight, which gave him opportunity to oppress and create disaffection.

Verse 29

Ahijah. He afterwards rebuked Jeroboam (1 Kings 14:6-16 ).

Shilonite = a native of Shiloh, where the Tabernacle and Ark bad been placed (Joshua 18:1 ). Compare 1 Samuel 4:3 .

Verse 30

rent it. Symbolic act. Compare 1 Kings 22:11 .Isaiah 20:2 , &c. Jeremiah 19:1-13 .Ezekiel 12:1-20 . Zechariah 11:7 , Zechariah 11:10 , Zechariah 11:14 .

Verse 31

ten. Levi not reckoned.

Verse 32

one tribe. Put for, and including, Simeon, Benjamin, and Levi, and others who joined later. Compare 1 Kings 12:23 . 2 Chronicles 11:13 ; 2 Chronicles 15:9 .

Verse 33

Ashtoreth.

Chemosh. See notes on verses: 1 Kings 11:5 and 1 Kings 11:7 .

Milcom.

Verse 35

I will take. Fulfilled in 1 Kings 12:16-20 .

Verse 36

light = lamp. Compare the "furnace" of 1 Kings 8:51 , and see note on Genesis 15:17 . Compare 2 Kings 8:19 . Psalms 18:28 . Jeremiah 25:10 , implying the continued existence of the Divine purpose.

Verse 38

if thou wilt hearken. Same conditions as in 1 Kings 9:4 .

a sure house: i.e. a long and unbroken line of descendants.

Verse 39

not for ever. Thus confirming the prophecy of Genesis 49:10 , which refers to the tribal pre-eminence of Judah (not national existence), which was preserved till fulfilled in Christ, when David's line ended in Him.

Verse 40

Egypt. This explains much. He must have thought of Joseph's exaltation, and the blessing pronounced on Ephraim (Genesis 49:13-20 ; Genesis 49:22-26 ); and by Moses (Deuteronomy 33:13-17 ). It explains also the origin of the "golden calves" (1 Kings 12:28 ).

Verse 41

written in the book. See note on Exodus 17:14 .

Verse 42

forty years: 920-880 B.C.