1 Reis 11
Bob Utley · You Can Understand the Bible
1 Reis 11
NJB (MT versing) Solomon Turns from God Solomon's Heart Turns from the Lord The Dark Side of Solomon's Reign Solomon Turns Away from God Solomon's Wives 11:1-8 11:1-8 11:1-8 11:1-8 11:1-8 11:9-13 11:9-13 11:9-13 11:9-13 11:9-13 God Raises Adversaries Adversaries of Solomon Solomon's Enemies Solomon's Foreign Enemies 11:14-22 11:14-22 11:14-22 11:14-20 11:14-22 11:21 11:22 11:23-25 11:23-25 11:23-25 11:23-25 11:23-25 Jeroboam's Rebellion God's Promise to Jeroboam The Revolt of Jeroboam 11:26-40 11:26-40 11:26-40 11:26-27a 11:26-27a 11:27b-39 11:27b-39 11:40 11:40 The Death of Solomon Death of Solomon The Death of Solomon The End of the Reign of Solomon 11:41-43 11:41-43 11:41-43 11:41-43 11:41-43 Etc. CONTEXTUAL INSIGHTS The admonitions of Deut. 17:14-17 are violated by Solomon. The king should not multiply himself. The king should not buy horses from Egypt (i.e., sign of good relations). The king should not multiply wives. political alliances idolatry The king should not multiply silver and gold for himself. These admonitions seem to have been written precisely to Solomon. Many scholars believe there is a literary relationship between Deuteronomy and Kings. Solomon's shocking idolatry (i.e., 1 Sam. 7:4) is compounded by YHWH's personal revelation to him, twice. Astoreth of the Sidonians, vv. 5,33 (NIDOTTE, vol. 3, pp. 562-563) Milcom of the Ammonites, vv. 5,33 Chemosh of the Moabites, vv. 5,33 (NIDOTTE, vol. 2, pp. 660-661) Molech of the Ammonites (possibly the same as #2) YHWH sends three enemies against Solomon. Hadad the Edomite, vv. 14-22 Rezon of Syria, vv. 23-25 Jeroboam of Ephraim, vv. 26-40 What looks like secular history is really the unseen hand of God, active in His world.
1 Reis 11:1-8
11:1 "loved many foreign women" The forbidding of marriage to Canaanite women is stated clearly in Exod. 34:15,16; Deut. 7:1-3. This same principle (i.e., do not multiply wives) is repeated clearly in Deut. 17:17. Solomon learned this practice from his father David (cf. 2 Sam. 5:13). This prohibition was for two reasons. do not trust in political alliances do no go after their idols This was one way David's and Solomon's reigns were like "the nations around them" (cf. Deut. 17:14; 1 Sam. 5:8). What a spiritual tragedy is the comparison of 1 Kings 8 and 1 Kings 11. From what heights Solomon fell! ▣ "the daughters of Pharaoh" Marriage to Egyptians was never condemned. Joseph married an Egyptian woman (i.e., Gen. 41:50). There is no record in the Bible of Israel ever worshiping an Egyptian god. The problem was Canaanite fertility worship. Jewish tradition asserts that Solomon's Egyptian wife became a convert to faith in YHWH. ▣ "Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite" These were the three nations on the eastern side of Jordan. Two of them were relatives through Lot (cf. Gen. 19:30-38). The LXX has an expanded list of nations—Arameans, Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, Hittites, Amorites. All of these nations apparently had treaties with Israel (i.e., legend has Solomon marrying a daughter of Hiram). The mother of Rehoboam was an Ammonite (cf. 1 Kgs. 14:21). This shows that this chapter is more about theology than chronology. ▣ "Sidonian" This (BDB 851) apparently refers to Phoenicians (cf. 1 Kgs. 16:31), who worshiped Ba'al and Ashtoreth (cf. v. 5). SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANE ▣ "Hittite" See SPECIAL TOPIC: PRE-ISRAELITE INHABITANTS OF PALESTINE. 11:2 "You shall not associate with them" This refers to Exod. 23:31-33; 34:12-16. The reason given is not racial but religious. These women would turn Israel's devotion from YHWH to the Canaanite fertility gods. ▣ "not associate" NKJV, TEV, REB "not intermarry" "not enter into marriage" "not to go among" "none. . .shall join" "not go in" "not mix with" The MT has the common VERB (BDB 97, KB 112, Qal IMPERFECT) twice, which basically means "come in." Here, it denotes marriage (cf. Deuteronomy 7, which forbids marriage to Canaanites). ▣ "they will surely turn your heart away" This phrase is repeated four times for emphasis (vv. 2,3,4,9). This is exactly what happened! SPECIAL TOPIC: HEART ▣ "Solomon held fast to these in love" The MT has the VERB (BDB 179, KB 209, Qal PERFECT) which means "to cling to" or "hold close." This is a powerful, emotional word (NIDOTTE, vol. 1, pp. 910-911). love and unity between a man and a woman ‒ Gen. 2:24; 34:3 friendship ‒ Ruth 1:14 covenant love and obedience to YHWH ‒ Deut. 10:20; 11:22; 30:20; Josh. 22:5; 23:8; 2 Kgs. 18:6; Ps. 63:9 love for God's law ‒ Ps. 119:31 It is a wonderful VERB but Solomon used it for the wrong person(s). 11:3 This extravagance is matched by the extravagance of Solomon's life and buildings. Deuteronomy 17:14-17 clearly warned about these things! ▣ "concubines" These were legal wives but with limited inheritance rights for their children (see NIDOTTE, vol. 3, pp. 618-619). 11:4 "was old" In his young and adult years he was fully devoted (i.e., exclusively) to YHWH, as David was (cf. v. 6; 1 Kgs. 3:6; 9:4), but as the years passed his heart took the path of idolatry, not covenant loyalty. ▣ "his heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord" "Wholly" is an ADJECTIVE (BDB 1023 I; see NIDOTTE, vol. 4, p. 133, #3) which is often used of complete devotion to God and His covenant (i.e., 1 Kgs. 8:61; 11:4; 15:3,14; 2 Kgs. 20:3; 1 Chr. 28:9; 29:19; 2 Chr. 15:17; 16:9; 19:9; 25:2; Isa. 38:3). 11:5 "Solomon went after" This is a very common VERB (BDB 229, KB 246) which basically denotes movements—"go," "come," "walk." In this context it follows the Deuteronomic usage of "serving idols" (cf. Deut. 11:28; 13:2; 28:14). ▣ "Ashtoreth" This is the female consort of Ba'al. She is known as Asherah, Astarte, Anath. She was symbolized by wooden poles on the worship platform, which was either a live tree or a carved pole symbolizing the tree of life. SPECIAL TOPIC: FERTILITY WORSHIP OF THE ANE ▣ "Milcom" This (BDB 575) may refer to Molech (BDB 574); both of these names have the same Hebrew root as king (BDB 572). See especially v. 7 where the UBS Text Project, p. 315, gives it a "B" rating (some doubt). SPECIAL TOPIC: MOLECH ▣ "the detestable idol" This NOUN (BDB 1055; NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 243-246) is often used of idols (cf. Deut. 29:17; 2 Kgs. 23:13,24; Isa. 66:3; Jer. 4:1; 7:30; 13:27; 16:18; Ezek. 5:11; 7:20; 11:18,21; 20:7,8,30; 37:23). 2 Kings 23:13 shows this NOUN is interchangeable with "abomination" (BDB 1072). SPECIAL TOPIC: ABOMINATION (OT) 11:6 "did what was evil in the sight of the Lord" This became an oft repeated literary way of expressing Mosaic covenant violations of the kings of Israel, Judah, and the northern ten tribes. 11:7 "built a high place" There is tension in the historical books about "the high places" (bamah, BDB 119). In Solomon's youth he worshiped and met YHWH at the high place at Gibeon (cf. 1 Kgs. 3:4). However, later these sites (usually on a hill) became Ba'al and Ashtoreth worship sites and were condemned. They were hard to remove because they were so popular with the people. This was the curse of the Canaanites, recorded in Deut. 17:1-3. See Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, pp. 284-288 (#6, "high places"). ▣ "Chemosh" This (BDB 484) was the sun god and war god of the Moabites (cf. Num. 21:29; 2 Kgs. 23:10). ▣ "Molech" See note at v. 5. 11:8 What a sad verse. The "all" here may not include the daughter of Pharaoh (1 Kgs. 3:1; 7:8; 9:16,24; 2 Chr. 8:11). For his wives to worship these idols Solomon must have brought to Jerusalem the priests of these gods.
1 Reis 11:9-13
11:9-10 YHWH was angry with Solomon because he violated YHWH's known will (i.e., the Mosaic Law) YHWH had appeared personally to him, twice (cf. 1 Kgs. 3:5; 9:2) YHWH had blessed him with so many blessings SPECIAL TOPIC: ANTHROPOMORPHIC LANGUAGE USED TO DESCRIBE DEITY 11:11 This is YHWH's third personal revelation to Solomon, whether by dream, vision, or prophet is unknown. ▣ "My covenant" See SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT. ▣ "My statutes" See SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS FOR GOD'S REVELATION. ▣ "I will surely tear the kingdom from you" This is an intensified VERB (i.e., an INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and an IMPERFECT VERB of the same root, BDB 902, KB 1146). The VERB is repeated in vv. 11,12,13,31! Wow! YHWH is abrogating part of the covenant of 2 Samuel 7; 1 Chronicles 17 because of covenant disobedience. 11:13 YHWH has a revelatory and redemptive purpose for His covenant people. Therefore, He leaves "one tribe" for Solomon's son (cf. vv. 31,32,36). This one tribe is really four tribes. Judah Simeon (incorporated early) Benjamin (closeness to Judah) Levi (priests) SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN
1 Reis 11:14-22
11:14-22 This is the first of three divinely sent enemies against Solomon, the man of rest and prosperity! There was much tension and warfare between Edom and Israel. SPECIAL TOPIC: EDOM AND ISRAEL 11:14 "adversary" This MASCULINE NOUN (BDB 966, KB 1317) is used of humans angelic beings demonic agents SPECIAL TOPIC: SATAN 11:15-16 This slaughter of Edom by Joab is not specifically recorded (cf. 1 Sam. 8:14; 1 Chr. 18:12-13). It may refer to the execution of the royal line. 11:15 NASB, NKJV, NRSV "was in" "had conquered" "had crushed" "reduced" "utterly destroyed" "destroyed" JPSOA footnote "defeated" "campaign against" The MT has the "to be VERB" (BDB 224, KB 243). The NET Bible suggests adding "was fighting." the JPSOA suggests an emendation "defeated," based on 2 Sam. 8 :13. Both the LXX and Peshitta understood the text in this same sense. 11:19-20 "Tahpenes" This name is not mentioned in any Egyptian documents or wall inscriptions of the period. ABD, vol. 6, p. 309, suggests that it is a corruption of an Egyptian title, "wife of the king," which may be confirmed by the variant reading of the LXX (see AB, p. 332). 11:21 "David slept with his fathers" "Slept" (BDB 1011, KB 1486, Qal PERFECT) is an idiom for death (i.e., Job 20:11; 21:26). The full phrase is especially used of kings (cf. 1 Kgs. 1:21; 2:10; 11:21,43; 14:20). This has nothing to do with the modern theological theory of "soul sleep." SPECIAL TOPIC: WHERE ARE THE DEAD? 11:22 "you must surely let me go" This is an intensified form (i.e., an INFINITIVE ABSOLUTE and an IMPERFECT VERB of the same root, BDB 1018. KB 1511).
1 Reis 11:23-25
11:23-25 This is the second divinely sent enemy (lit. adversary, BDB 966). 11:23 "God raised up" In v. 14, it is YHWH who raised up. This is just literary variation, not a hint at different source documents (J + E). SPECIAL TOPIC: PENTATEUCH SOURCE CRITICISM (J,E,D,P) 11:25 NASB, NKJV, TEV "Syria" NRSV, JPSOA, Peshitta "Aram" "Edom" The MT has "Aram" (BDB 74), which was another name for Syria. A footnote in the Peshitta translation into English by Lamsa says "At this time the King of Aram was an Edomite." The UBS Text Project, p. 317, gives "Aram" a "B" rating (some doubt). Aram ‒ ארם Edom ‒ אדם This is an example of the "r," "d" confusion in Hebrew.
1 Reis 11:26-40
11:26-40 This is the third and most formidable enemy of Solomon's dynasty (i.e., Jeroboam, NIDOTTE, vol. 4, pp. 969-772). He was from the tribe of Ephraim, the major competitor to Judah for power and preeminence. Joshua, Gideon, Deborah, and Samuel were all from the tribe descending from Joseph. He was the supervisor of the levy of laborers from Ephraim in building and reenforcing Jerusalem (cf. vv. 27-28). SPECIAL TOPIC: KINGS OF THE DIVIDED MONARCHY 11:26-27 NASB, NKJV, NRSV, REB "rebelled" "turned against" "revolted" "raised his hand agains" LXX, Peshitta "litfed his hands up" The MT has the Hebrew idiom, "lifted up his hand" (twice), which denotes rebellion. The opposite idiom would be the dropping of the hand, which would denote fear and despair. 11:27 "the Millo" See note at 1 Kgs. 9:15,24. 11:28 "a valiant warrior" "a mighty man" "very able" "a man of great energy" "a man of great ability" TEV, JPSOA "an able man" "mighty in power" "valiant" The MT has the CONSTRUCT BDB 150 with BDB 298 (cf. Jdgs. 6:12; 11:1; 1 Sam. 9:1; 16:18; 2 Kgs. 5:1; 1 Chr. 12:28; 28:1; 2 Chr. 13:3; 17:16,17; 25:6; 32:21). The context must determine in what area of life the person had great ability, energy, and competence. ▣ "the forced labor of the house of Joseph" There is conflicting evidence in Kings about to whom this "forced labor" refers. only conquered peoples, cf. 2 Sam. 20:24; 1 Kgs. 9:20-21; 1 Chr. 22:2; 2 Chr. 2:17-18 (i.e., following Deut. 20:11) servants of the King of Tyre (cf. 2 Sam. 5:11; 1 Kgs. 5:6) only non-military, non-governmental Israelites (i.e., 1 Kgs. 9:22) all Israelites, but in shifts of specific times and specific tribes (i.e., never Levi), cf. 1 Kgs. 5:13; 9:15 see good discussion in Roland deVaux, Ancient Israel, pp. 141-142 It was the hatred of Solomon's forced labor policies that caused the kingdom to split in 922 b.c. into Judah and Israel (cf. 1 Kings 12). The "house of Joseph" could have referred to the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh or just Ephraim. 11:29 "the prophet" See SPECIAL TOPIC: PROPHECY (OT). 11:32 YHWH had a plan for Israel unconnected to their covenant obedience (i.e., and unconditional covenant of the promise of Messiah and worldwide redemption. See SPECIAL TOPIC: YHWH'S ETERNAL REDEMPTIVE PLAN)! However, every individual Israelite and every generation of Israelites were expected and commanded to keep the Mosaic covenant (i.e., a conditional covenant with blessings and curses, cf. Leviticus 26; Deuteronomy 27-30). So is the Mosaic covenant and the Davidic covenant conditional or unconditional? YES! SPECIAL TOPIC: EASTERN LITERATURE (biblical paradoxes) SPECIAL TOPIC: COVENANT ▣ "one tribe" This specificity is confusing (the LXX has "two"). Its literary purpose is to state YHWH's continuing choice of Judah (i.e., Messiah, cf. Gen. 49:10). In reality Judah was made up of four tribes. Simeon incorporated early because of their land allocation among the Philistines Levi because this tribe uniquely served as tabernacle and temple servants Benjamin because of its close geographical connection to Judah ▣ "the city which I have chosen" This goes back to the repeated phrases in Deuteronomy (cf. Deut. 12:5,11,14,18,21,26; 14:23-25; 15:20; 16:2,11,15; 17:8,10; 18:6; 26:2; 31:11; 1 Kgs. 8:29; 11:13,32,36; 14:21). Jerusalem was "David's city," who was a type of the Messiah to come. It was the central worship and sacrifice place of all the tribes and their land allocations. 11:33 "because they have forsaken Me" This is an oft repeated VERB (BDB 736 I, KB 806), illustrating Israel's repeated disobedience and idolatry. Here are a few examples. forsook YHWH ‒ Deut. 28:20; 31:16; Jdgs. 10:10; 1 Kgs. 9:9,11; 33:18; 2 Kgs. 21:22; 22:17; 2 Chr. 7:22; 12:5; Jer. 1:16 forsook His commandments ‒ Deut. 29:24; 1 Kgs. 18:18; 19:10,14; 2 Chr. 7:19; 12:1 forsook His temple ‒ 2 Chr. 24:18; Neh. 10:40 YHWH's promise never to "forsake" them (but with a mandate for covenant obedience) ‒ 2 Kgs. 2:2,4,6; 4:30; if they forsake Him, He will forsake them (i.e., 2 Chr. 13:11) The MT has "they" but the LXX, Peshitta, and Vulgate have "he has." The UBS Text Project, p. 318, gives the MT a "B" rating (some doubt). ▣ "walked" This is a Hebrew idiom for lifestyle faith. ▣ "My ways. . .My statutes and My ordinances" See SPECIAL TOPIC: TERMS FOR GOD'S REVELATION. ▣ "as his father David" This comment shows that YHWH does not require sinlessness, which is impossible for fallen mankind (cf. 1 Kgs. 8:46), but He does expect a "whole heart" (i.e., 1 Kgs. 8:61). David was an open-eyed sinner (2 Samuel 11) but he repented and sought YHWH (cf. 1 Sam. 13:14; Ps. 32:51; Acts 13:22). 11:34 "whom I chose" See SPECIAL TOPIC: HE CHOSE US. ▣ "who observed My commandments and My statutes" David was a man of faith, not perfect, but a man whose life, for the most part, exemplified obedience and awe toward YHWH and His covenant. Abraham and his family ‒ Gen. 17:9; 18:19 the faithful to all generations ‒ Exod. 20:6; Deut. 7:9 Israel ‒ Lev. 18:26; 22:31; Deut. 4:40; 6:2; 26:16-17; Josh. 22:5; 2 Kings 37 Saul's rejection ‒ 1 Sam. 13:4 David ‒ 1 Kgs. 2:3; 11:34 Rechabites ‒ Jer. 35:18 righteous son ‒ Ezek. 18:19 Wisdom Literature ‒ Ps. 119:8; Prov. 4:4 SPECIAL TOPIC: KEEP 11:35 The VERBAL pair "take. . .give" (both Qal PERFECTS here) denote the transfer of property by a monarch (cf. 2 Sam. 12:11; Job 1:21; see NIDOTTE, vol. 3, p. 208, g). This pair is also used of YHWH's choice of the house of Levi (cf. Lev. 7:34; Num. 8:18-19). YHWH is in control of history. This is empirically proved by Predictive Prophecy! 11:36 See notes at vv. 13 and 32. ▣ "a lamp" This could refer to the priests' work in the holy place, keeping the menorah lit David as a source of revelation and hope to Israel (cf. 2 Sam. 21:17; 2 Chr. 21:7; Ps. 18:28; 119:105; Prov. 6:23) a son (cf. 1 Kgs. 15:4; 2 Kgs. 8:19) In context, option #3 seems best. See NIDOTTE, vol. 3, pp. 159-160. 11:38 "if" Notice that, like YHWH's word to Solomon, His word to Jeroboam was conditional on covenant obedience! ▣ "and do what is right" This became an idiom for covenant obedience and loyalty (cf. Deut. 6:18; 12:28; 13:18), particularly as related to the avoidance of idolatry. of David ‒ 1 Kgs. 11:38 negatively of Jeroboam ‒ 1 Kgs. 14:8 Asa ‒ 1 Kgs. 15:11; 2 Chr. 14:2 Jehoshaphat ‒ 1 Kgs. 22:43; 2 Chr. 20:32 Jehoash ‒ 2 Kgs. 12:2; 2 Chr. 24:2 ▣ NASB, NKJV, NRSV "enduring house" "establish your family forever" "a lasting dynasty" LXX, Peshitta "a sure house" This is not the same word as promised to David (i.e., "forever, 'olam), but it is a form of the word for "faith" (BDB 52, see SPECIAL TOPIC: BELIEVE, TRUST, FAITH, AND FAITHFULNESS IN THE OT). The added phrase "as I built for David," gives added weight to the promise. Judah was always YHWH's special choice, but this is a powerful promise to the northern tribes "if" they would obey the Mosaic Covenant. 11:39 YHWH knew Jeroboam would not be obedient and, therefore, not permanent. 11:40 "Shishak king of Egypt" He was known in Egyptian sources as Sheshonk I. This Pharaoh (a Libyan title, like Pharaoh, they ruled Egypt in the 22nd dynasty) protected Jeroboam I from Solomon (cf. 1 Kgs. 11:40). This shows the growing power of Egypt. Earlier Egypt had given a royal daughter to seal a truce with Solomon and now an open act of defiance. Although the biblical account of this invasion is limited (cf. 1 Kgs. 14:25-28), there is an Egyptian inscription at the Temple of Amon at Karnack that describes this invasion. It claims he invaded as far north as Megiddo. SPECIAL TOPIC: KINGS OF EGYPT
1 Reis 11:41-43
11:41 "in the book of the acts of Solomon" This book has not survived. 11:42 "forty years" This may be a symbolic number. Notice Saul, David, and Solomon all reigned 40 years. SPECIAL TOPIC: SYMBOLIC NUMBERS IN SCRIPTURE, #7 11:43 "slept with his fathers" See note at v. 21 and a good brief discussion in Hard Sayings of the Bible, pp. 127-129.