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1KINGS
CHAPTER 11

1 But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; 2 Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. 3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.

Here, the Word of God shows that man is always a sinner. Even in the multiplied grace of God, man is less than he should be.
In the last part of chapter 10, we saw the beginnings of a misuse of God's grace in Solomon's kingdom. It is indeed a small thing; but it is certainly a form of disobedience that is creeping into Solomon's heart, and into the pride of the people of the nation.
Chapter 10, verse 26 told us that he "gathered together chariots and horsemen." God had explicitly given an admonishment against this (Deuteronomy 17:16). Samuel had warned this would happen (1Samuel 8:11).
Christians, beware that in the profuse grace of God poured out upon us, we must not treat His Word lightly.
Another point is made concerning man's sin here in verse 1 of Chapter 11. Solomon "loved many strange women." Many a man has fallen prey to the sins of the flesh.
God had warned against this also (Exodus 34:12-16), especially for kings (see Deuteronomy 17:17).
But Solomon continued to multiply wives. He had 700! Now a concubine is a woman who was either taken in battle, or purchased. Solomon had 300 of those!
Promiscuity in leadership promotes promiscuity in the nation.

4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. 5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 6 And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. 7 Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon. 8 And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.

Solomon's fleshly desires led to spiritual adultery. He allowed his wives to lead him into "offering" incense and sacrifices to their gods (verse 8).
He even built an altar for Chrmosh and for Molech. The worship of these gods was an awful perversion.
Many a Christian has begun a close walk with God, only to be detoured by the desires of the flesh.
Solomon began to let his heart stray from God, and no longer walke in obedience to the statutes which were sitting by his side every day on the throne.

9 And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, 10 And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded. 11 Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. 12 Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son. 13 Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen.

God had appeared to Solomon twice. What a blessing that must have been! Yet, so easily, had Solomon allowed himself to be "turned" from the Lord.
But, even in anger, God acts in mercy. He appeared to Solomon a third time. And this is not just a severe warning, it is a prophetic FACT!
God promised that he would "rend" the kingdom from Solomon. But he also said he would not do it until Solomon was dead.
God already knew that Rehoboam (Solomon's son who inherited the throne) would not act in wisdom. And God was planning the discipline of Israel and the redemption of the same in his eternal wisdom.

14 And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king's seed in Edom. 15 For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, after he had smitten every male in Edom; 16 (For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom:) 17 That Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father's servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad being yet a little child. 18 And they arose out of Midian, and came to Paran: and they took men with them out of Paran, and they came to Egypt, unto Pharaoh king of Egypt; which gave him an house, and appointed him victuals, and gave him land. 19 And Hadad found great favour in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him to wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen. 20 And the sister of Tahpenes bare him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh's house: and Genubath was in Pharaoh's household among the sons of Pharaoh. 21 And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let me depart, that I may go to mine own country. 22 Then Pharaoh said unto him, But what hast thou lacked with me, that, behold, thou seekest to go to thine own country? And he answered, Nothing: howbeit let me go in any wise. 23 And God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah: 24 And he gathered men unto him, and became captain over a band, when David slew them of Zobah: and they went to Damascus, and dwelt therein, and reigned in Damascus. 25 And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, beside the mischief that Hadad did: and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria.

Solomon's kingdom was known as a kingdom of "peace." But now God caused enemies to come against Solomon.
First there was Hadad. He was heir to the throne of the Edomites. David had Joab destroy all of them, but this one had escaped. He had found "favor" in the eyes of the Egyptian Pharoah, and married the Pharoah's sister-in-law.
Hadad now returned to his country, took leadership, and began to cause Solomon difficulty.
Then there was Rezon. When Daved had raided and killed many in Zobah, this man had fled. He went out and raised an army. Then he came back to give Solomon trouble.

26 And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king. 27 And this was the cause that he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the breaches of the city of David his father. 28 And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph. 29 And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field: 30 And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces: 31 And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee: 32 (But he shall have one tribe for my servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:) 33 Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father. 34 Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant's sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes: 35 But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes. 36 And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there. 37 And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel. 38 And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee. 39 And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever. 40 Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.

Jeroboam was an industrious young man. Solomon noted his worth, and made him chief of all the tribe of Joseph (or both tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh). Thus, Solomon elevated Jeroboam to a great position of authority and influence.
Then Jeroboam disagreed with Solomon about building the fortress or city hall in the wall of Jerusalem (Millo). And about that time, a prophet named Ahijah gave Jeroboam a very interesting prophecy. He told him that 10 tribes would be taken away from Solomon, and that Jeroboam would be their king.
Along with the prophecy, God gave Jeroboam some specific instructions. See verse 38. There are 2 promises made on the basis of "if, then." IF Jeroboam will do as God says, THEN God would bless him.
It would be by using Jeroboam that God would discipline Solomon (verse 39).
Well, when Solomon found out about the prophecy, he REALLY rebelled against the Lord, and tried to kill Jeroboam.
Jeroboam left the country and "hid out" in Egypt, finding sanctuary with the Pharoah just as Hadad had done earlier.

41 And the rest of the acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon? 42 And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. 43 And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.

Just as David, and all those before him, Solomon goes "the way of the earth."
It was a sad note upon which his life ended.
That which had begun so gloriously with God, ended in rebellion and discipline.
Solomon had reigned in Israel 40 years and brought culture, power, wealth, and prestige to the nation.
This concluded a 120 year united kingdom of Israel. From this point on, it is "downhill" spiritually, socially, economically, and virtually every other way for this great nation.

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