1-3 Solomon's wives and concubines 4-8 In his old age they draw him to idolatry 9-13 god threatens him, 14-22 Solomon's adversaries were Hadad, who was entertained in Egypt 23-25 Rezon, who reigned in Damascus 26-40 And Jeroboam, to whom Ahijah prophesied 41-43 Solomon's acts, reign, and death. Rehoboam succeeds him

A.M. 3020-3029 B.C. 984-975
loved 1Ki 11:8 Ge 6:2-5 De 17:17 Ne 13:23-27 Pr 2:16 5:8-20 6:24 7:5 22:14 23:33

together with. or, beside 1Ki 3:1 Le 18:18

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.

Ye shall not go in Ex 23:32,33 34:16 De 7:3,4 Jos 23:12,13 Ezr 9:12 10:2 Mal 2:11

surely 1Ki 16:31-33 Nu 25:1-3 Jud 3:6,7 2Ch 21:6 2Co 6:14-16

Solomon Ge 2:24 34:3 Jud 16:4-21 2Ch 19:2 Ps 139:21 Ro 1:32 12:9 1Co 15:33 Re 2:4

3 And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart.

seven hundred Jud 8:30,31 9:5 2Sa 3:2-5 5:13-16 2Ch 11:21 Ec 7:28

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.

when Solomon 1Ki 11:42 6:1 9:10 14:21

his wives 1ki 11:2 de 7:4 17:17 ne 13:26,27
his heart 1Ki 11:6,38 6:12,13 8:61 9:4 15:3,14 2Ki 20:3 1Ch 28:9 29:19 2Ch 17:3 25:2 31:20,21 34:2

5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.

Ashtoreth 1Ki 11:33 Jud 2:13 10:6 1Sa 7:3,4 12:10 2Ki 23:13 Jer 2:10-13

Milcom 1Ki 11:7 Le 18:21 20:2-5

Molech Zep 1:5

Malcham

6 And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father.

went not fully after [heb] fulfilled not after Nu 14:24 Jos 14:8,14

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.

build an high Le 26:30 Nu 33:52 2Ki 21:2,3 23:13,14 Ps 78:58 Eze 20:28,29

Chemosh Nu 21:29 Jud 11:24 Jer 48:13

abomination De 13:14 17:3,4 27:15 Isa 44:19 Eze 18:12 Da 11:31 12:11 Re 17:4,5

the hill This was the mount of Olives, which lay east of Jerusalem; and that the Hebrews would consider before it, while the west would be behind it; for the very term used to the east, kedem, means before, while acharon, behind, sometimes signifies the west. Ge 33:2 2Sa 15:30 2Ki 23:13 Zec 14:4 Mt 26:30 Ac 1:9,12

8 And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.

all his strange wives 1Ki 11:1 Eze 16:22-29 Ho 4:11,12 1Co 10:11,12,20-22

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,

angry Ex 4:14 Nu 12:9 De 3:26 9:8,20 2Sa 6:7 11:27 1Ch 21:7 Ps 78:58-60 90:7,8

his heart 1Ki 11:2,3 De 7:4 Pr 4:23 Isa 29:13,14 Ho 4:11 2Ti 4:10

which had appeared 1Ki 3:5 9:2

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.

commanded 1Ki 6:12,13 9:4-7 2Ch 7:17-22

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.

is done of thee [heb] is with thee
thou hast not Isa 29:13,14

I will surely 1Ki 11:31 12:15,16,20 Nu 14:23,35 1Sa 2:30-32 13:13,14 15:26-28 2Sa 12:9-12

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.

in thy days 1Ki 21:29 2Ki 20:17,19 22:19,20

for David 1Sa 9:4,5 Ge 12:2 19:29

I will rend it out Ex 20:5

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.

Howbeit 1Ki 11:39 2Sa 7:15,16 1Ch 17:13,14 Ps 89:33-37

one tribe 1Ki 11:35,36 12:20

for David 1Ki 11:12,32 De 9:5 2Ki 13:23 19:34 Ps 89:49 132:1,17 Isa 9:7 Jer 33:17-26 Lu 1:32,33

for Jerusalem;s De 12:5,11 2Ki 21:4 23:27 Ps 132:13,14 Isa 14:32 62:1,7 Jer 33:15,16

14 And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king's seed in Edom.

the Lord 1Ki 12:15 1Sa 26:19 2Sa 24:1 1Ch 5:26 Isa 10:5,26 13:17

an adversary 2Sa 7:14 Ps 89:30-34

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;

when David 2Sa 8:14 1Ch 18:12,13 Ps 60:1 108:10

after he had Ge 25:23 27:40 Nu 24:18,19 De 20:13 Mal 1:2,3

every male Nu 31:17

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.

Hadad Ex 2:1-10 2Sa 4:4 2Ki 11:2 Mt 2:13,14

a little child. Naar katon, rather, `a little boy:' one who was apprehensive of his danger, and could, with his father's servants, make his escape.

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.

Midian Probably not the Midian east of the Red Sea, to which Moses fled, (Ex 2:15, etc.) but the Midian east of the Dead Sea, and south of Moab. These Midianites, whose daughters seduced the israelites to commit idolatry (Nu 22:4,7 25:15 31:2, etc.) were descendants of Midian, son of Abraham, (Ge 25:2) Their capital city was called Midian, and its remains were to be seen in the time of Eusebius and Jerome: it was situated on the Arnon, south of the city Ar, or Areopolis. Ge 25:2,4 Nu 22:4 25:6,14,18

Paran Probably the city of Paran, or the district around it, situated in the south of Iumea, and according to Eusebius, three days' journey east from Elah or Elath, at the head of the eastern branch, or Elamitic gulf of the Red Sea. Ge 14:6 21:21 Nu 10:12 De 1:1 33:2 Hab 3:3

19 And Hadad found great favor in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him to wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen.

found Ge 39:4,21 Ac 7:10,21

that he gave Ge 41:45

Tahpenes Jer 43:7-9

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.

weaned Ge 21:7 1Sa 1:24

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.

Hadad 1Ki 2:10,34 Ex 4:19 Mt 2:20

Let me depart [heb] Send me away Ge 45:24 Jos 2:21 1Sa 9:26 2Sa 3:21

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.

But Jer 2:31 Lu 22:35

Nothing [heb] Not
let me go 2Sa 18:22,23 Ps 37:8 Mr 14:31

23 And God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah:

God 1Ki 11:14 2Sa 16:11 Ezr 1:1 Isa 13:17 37:26 45:5 Eze 38:16

Hadadezer 2Sa 8:3 10:8,15-18 1Ch 18:3-9 19:6,16-19

Hadarezer Ps 60:1

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.

to Damascus 1Ki 19:15 20:34 Ge 14:15 Ac 9:2

in Damascus Damascus, called also Damesk, but generally El Sham, by the Arabs, is situated in a delightful plain, well watered by the Barrada, at the eastern foot of Antilibanus, being surrounded by the hills in the form of a triumphal arc, 136 miles N. of Jerusalem, 195 S. of Antioch, and 276 S.S.W. of Deabekir, It is a city of the highest antiquity, being at least as ancient as the time of Abraham: it has been often captured, and several times demolished, but has always risen to splendour and dignity. The modern town is described by Maundrell as of a long, straight figure, it ends pointing nearly N.E. and S.W. It is very slender in the middle, but swells bigger at each end, especially at that to the N.E. According to Niebuhr, the walls are something less than a league and half in circumference; and the population is estimated at from 100,000 to 150,000

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.

all the days 1Ki 5:4 2Ch 15:2

abhorred Ge 34:30 De 23:7 2Sa 16:21 Ps 106:40 Zec 11:8

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.

Jeroboam 1Ki 11:11,28 12:2,20 13:1 14:16 15:30 16:3 21:22

an Ephrathite Ge 35:16 Ru 1:2 1Sa 1:1 17:12 1Ch 2:19

Solomon's servant 1Ki 9:22 2Ch 13:6

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.

lifted up 2Sa 20:21 Pr 30:32 Isa 26:11

Solomon 1Ki 9:15,24

repaired [heb] closed Am 9:11

the breaches Ne 4:7 Ps 60:2 Isa 22:9 Eze 13:5

the city 2Sa 5:7

28 And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph.

was industrious [heb] did work Pr 22:29

he made 1Ki 5:16

charge [heb] burden De 1:12 Isa 14:25 Mt 11:30

the house Jos 18:5 Jud 1:22,23 2Sa 19:20 Am 5:6 Zec 10:6

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:

Ahijah 1Ki 12:15 14:2 2Ch 9:29

Shilonite Jos 18:1

and they two Ge 4:8 2Sa 14:6

30 And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces:

rent it 1Sa 15:27,28 24:4,5

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:

thus saith 1Ki 11:11,12

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:)

he shall 1Ki 12:20

for Jerusalem's sake 1Ki 11:13

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.

they have forsaken 1Ki 11:9 3:14 6:12,13 9:5-7 1Ch 28:9 2Ch 15:2 Jer 2:13 Ho 4:17

Ashtoreth 1Ki 11:5-8

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:

Howbeit 1Ki 11:12,13,31 Job 11:6 Ps 103:10 Hab 3:2

for David Isa 55:3

35 But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes.

I will take Ex 20:5,6

will give 1Ki 12:15-17,20 2Ch 10:15-17

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.

David 1Ki 15:4 2Sa 7:16,29 21:17 2Ki 8:19 2Ch 21:7 Ps 132:17 Jer 33:17-21 Am 9:11,12 Lu 1:69,70,78,79 Ac 15:16,17

light [heb] lamp, or candle
the city 1Ki 11:13 9:3 Ga 4:25,26 Heb 12:22 Re 21:10

37 And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel.

according 1Ki 11:26 De 14:26 2Sa 3:21

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.

if thou wilt 1Ki 3:14 6:12 9:4,5 Ex 19:5 De 15:5 Zec 3:7

that I will De 31:8 Jos 1:5

build the 1Ki 14:7-14 2Sa 7:11,16,26-29 1Ch 17:10,24-27

39 And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever.

afflict 1Ki 12:16 14:8,25,26 Ps 89:38-45,49-51

not for ever 1Ki 11:36 Ps 89:30-34 Isa 7:14 9:7 11:1-10 Jer 23:5,6 La 3:31,32 Lu 1:32,33 2:4,11

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.

Solomon sought 2Ch 16:10 Pr 21:30 Isa 14:24-27 46:10 La 3:37

Shishak This is the first time we meet with the proper name of an Egyptian king in Scripture, Pharaoh being the general appellation for all the sovereigns of that country. Some are of opinion that Shishak is the same with the celebrated Sesostris of the Greek historians; but it is probable that this king lived long before Solomon's time. Usher thinks him to be Sesonchis, and places the beginning of his reign, A.M. 3026 B.C. 978 1Ki 14:25,26 2Ch 12:2-9

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?

rest 2Ch 9:29-31

acts. or, words, or things

42 And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.

time [heb] days.
forty years Josephus says fourscore years; which is sufficiently absurd. Calmet supposes him to have been 18 years old when he came to the throne, and 58 when he died. 1Ki 2:11

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.

A.M. 3029 B.C. 975
slept 1Ki 1:21 14:20 15:8,24 16:6 De 31:16 2Ki 16:20 20:21 21:18

buried 1Ki 2:10 14:31 2Ki 21:18,26 2Ch 21:20 26:23 28:27 Jer 22:19

Rehoboam 1Ch 3:10 2Ch 9:31 13:7 Mt 1:5

Roboam