Bible Commentaries
1 Kings 11

Verses 1-43

At this point the story of Solomon suddenly changes. The glory passes away, and we observe his rapid degeneracy and doom. The nature of the man had ever a strong animal side. His commercial enterprises led him into contact with surrounding peoples, and he allowed his heart to go after "strange women." The wrong thus begun invaded higher realms. He built temples for these women. There followed the demoralization both of the king and his people, until at last it was written, "The Lord was angry with Solomon." The doom pronounced on him was the inevitable issue of his own folly and sin. The kingdom was to be rent, and pass from him.

The judgment of God begins to operate. "The Lord raised up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite" (verse 1Ki 11:14 ); "God raised up another adversary unto him, Rezon, the son of Eliada" (verse 1Ki 11:23 ); "And Jeroboam . . . he also lifted up his hand against the king" (verse 1Ki 11:26 ).

In all this we have a remarkable illustration of how the judgments of God proceed. Man is never punished for sin but that in the midst of the punishment he may say, "This is the stroke of Jehovah, but it is my own deed and act." The story of the life of Solomon ends with the announcement, "Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father." So ends in gloom and failure a life full of promise, and that because the heart of the man turned from its loyalty to God in response to the seductions of his own sinful nature.