1 Kings 11 Commentary
Solomon dies. His forty years on the throne come to an end, but it is a disaster. A disappointment.
The LORD had clearly forbidden Israel from intermarriage with the Canaanites. And he was in violation of another instruction that forbade Israelite kings from marrying many women. There are always good reasons when the LORD posts instructions for the saint.
Solomon ignored these instructions, and the result was idolatry. Scattering would follow soon. Solomon would be remembered as a man who united Israel and brought great wealth to the nation. But he was also the reason the nation was divided.
Solomon’s story can be an interesting case study. Mortals cannot attain immortality by physical blessings, regardless of their size. Wisdom, human authority, and power cannot help vanity. There is no substitute for obedience. When the LORD’s instructions are disobeyed, humanity can always expect repercussions. Such is the sad story of Solomon.
Look at it again. The blessings were not a time bomb. The LORD meant well.
For purposes of political expedience, Solomon married Pharaoh’s daughter. Other women were married under similar arrangements. Wanting to accommodate his partners, Solomon ended up with idolatry. This is a well-trodden path. Politics, business, entertainment, and power, among others, are some of the partnerships that have caused much backsliding as saints attempt to accommodate the foreign materials. Sad. Very sad.
“How happy your people must be! How happy your officials, who continually stand before you and hear your wisdom!”
This was Queen Sheba’s observation in the previous chapter. But not everyone was happy.
Importantly, the LORD God wasn’t happy with Solomon. There was idolatry and injustice. The same LORD who decreed success for Solomon caused him trouble both from within and without.
Solomon’s reign of forty years is equal to David’s reign of forty years. King Saul is said to have reigned for forty years. We saw the same cycle of 40 years in the Book of Judges. Then you know the scripture communicates something significant!
“Happy” is Queen Sheba’s observation. But Solomon’s reign was empty of real godliness. Outward signs of success mean nothing. Behind many success stories of today are injustice, witchcraft, extreme wickedness, and idolatry – a world to be loathed, not admired.
LOVING SCRIPTURE 