1 Kings 11 summary meaning ai explained commentary

1 Kings 11 meaning explained in AI Summary

Chapter 11 marks a tragic turning point in Solomon's reign and the united kingdom of Israel. Here's a summary:

Solomon's Unfaithfulness (1-13):

Despite God's warning, Solomon marries many foreign women, including Egyptians, Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites.
These women turn his heart away from Yahweh towards their own gods, like Ashtoreth, Milcom, and Chemosh.
Solomon builds high places for these foreign deities, and even participates in their worship.
This blatant disobedience angers God, who informs Solomon that his kingdom will be torn away and given to one of his officials. However, for David's sake, this punishment will not occur during Solomon's lifetime, but during his son's reign.

Enemies Rise Against Solomon (14-25):

As further punishment, God raises up adversaries against Solomon:
- Hadad the Edomite: An Edomite prince who had escaped from Joab's massacre as a child, returns from Egypt to oppose Solomon.
- Rezon son of Eliada: A former official of Hadadezer, king of Zobah, rebels against Solomon and establishes himself in Damascus.
These adversaries cause trouble for Solomon throughout his reign.

Jeroboam's Rebellion (26-40):

Jeroboam, a capable young man from the tribe of Ephraim, is appointed by Solomon to oversee forced labor.
The prophet Ahijah encounters Jeroboam and symbolically tears his cloak into twelve pieces, giving ten to Jeroboam.
Ahijah prophesies that God will tear the kingdom from Solomon and give ten tribes to Jeroboam because of Solomon's idolatry.
Solomon tries to kill Jeroboam, who flees to Egypt for safety under the protection of Pharaoh Shishak.

Solomon's Death and Reign Summary (41-43):

The chapter concludes with a brief account of Solomon's death after a 40-year reign.
He is succeeded by his son Rehoboam, setting the stage for the division of the kingdom as prophesied.

Key Themes:

The consequences of disobedience: Solomon's unfaithfulness, despite his wisdom and blessings, leads to disastrous consequences for himself and the kingdom.
God's faithfulness to his covenant: Even in judgment, God remembers his covenant with David and delays the full punishment until after Solomon's death.
The danger of idolatry: The chapter highlights the seductive nature of idolatry and its power to corrupt even the wisest individuals.
Setting the stage for division: Chapter 11 lays the groundwork for the division of the kingdom, a major turning point in Israel's history.

1 Kings 11 bible study ai commentary

The reign of Solomon, initially characterized by unparalleled wisdom, peace, and prosperity, pivots dramatically in this chapter towards spiritual decline and impending political fragmentation. The "but" in verse one is one of the most tragic turning points in the Old Testament. Solomon's diplomatic alliances, sealed by marriages to foreign women, directly violated God's covenantal commands. This personal and political syncretism led to national apostasy, turning his heart away from the LORD who had appeared to him twice. Consequently, God pronounces judgment: the tearing of the kingdom. The chapter details the cause of Solomon's fall (idolatry), the divine verdict (a divided kingdom), and the agents of that judgment (the adversaries Hadad, Rezon, and Jeroboam), setting the stage for the rest of Israel's monarchical history.

1 Kings 11 Context

The events of this chapter must be understood against the backdrop of Ancient Near Eastern (ANE) political and religious norms. Royal intermarriage was a standard and essential tool of international diplomacy, used to forge treaties and secure borders. From a purely political perspective, Solomon's 1000 wives and concubines represented a vast and powerful network of alliances. Religiously, syncretism was common; acknowledging and even providing worship sites for the gods of allied or vassal nations was seen as a sign of respect and political acumen. The narrative of 1 Kings 11 is a sharp polemic against this worldview, asserting that Israel's King is subject not to ANE political norms but to the unique, exclusive covenant with Yahweh, where political wisdom can become spiritual folly.

1 Kings 11:1-3

But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites— from the nations of whom the LORD had said to the children of Israel, “You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart.

In-depth-analysis

The pivot: The chapter opens with a strong adversative, "But," marking a stark contrast to the glory described in chapters 1-10.
Love vs. Politics: The text states Solomon "loved" (ahab) and "clung to" (dabaq) these women. Dabaq is the same powerful Hebrew verb used in Genesis 2:24 for a man "holding fast" to his wife, indicating this was more than political strategy; it was a deep emotional and volitional attachment that directly competed with his devotion to God.
Forbidden Alliances: The list of nations (Moabites, Ammonites, etc.) directly recalls the explicit prohibitions against intermarriage, which were given precisely because of the danger of religious seduction.
Scale of Disobedience: The number of wives (700) and concubines (300) signifies an extreme violation of the kingly law in Deuteronomy. It represents a level of indulgence and alliance-building that was both unprecedented and flagrantly disobedient.
The Core Sin: The ultimate failure is stated plainly: "his wives turned away his heart." In Hebrew thought, the "heart" (lebab) is the center of will, intellect, and conscience, not just emotion. His entire inner being was reoriented away from Yahweh.

Bible references

Deuteronomy 17:17: "Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away..." (The direct command Solomon violates).
Exodus 34:16: "...and you take of their daughters for your sons, and their daughters play the harlot with their gods and make your sons play the harlot with their gods." (The explicit reason for the prohibition).
Nehemiah 13:26: "Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? ...nevertheless foreign women made even him sin." (A later biblical reflection citing this event as a cautionary tale).
Genesis 2:24: "Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and hold fast (dabaq) to his wife..." (Shows the intended purity and power of the word "clung," which Solomon misapplied).

Cross references

Deu 7:3-4 (Prohibition of intermarriage); Jud 3:5-6 (Israel's failure by intermarriage); 2Co 6:14 (Principle of not being unequally yoked); Ezr 9:1-2 (Post-exilic crisis over foreign wives).

1 Kings 11:4-8

For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites... Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD... Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab... and for Molech the abomination of the children of Ammon. And he did likewise for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.

In-depth-analysis

A Lifelong Decline: The phrase "when Solomon was old" indicates this was not a youthful folly but the tragic culmination of a long, slow drift from God. His disobedience became a settled state.
The Standard of Comparison: The narrative explicitly judges Solomon against the standard of "his father David." David's heart was "loyal" or "perfect" (shalem, from the same root as shalom). While David committed terrible sins, he always repented fully and never engaged in or sanctioned idolatry. Solomon's sin was systemic and unrepentant.
Specific Idolatry: This is not abstract apostasy. He actively facilitates the worship of specific, prominent ANE deities:
- Ashtoreth: A chief goddess of fertility, sexuality, and war.
- Milcom/Molech: An Ammonite god, infamously associated with child sacrifice.
- Chemosh: The national god of Moab, also linked to horrific rites.
Irony of the Builder: The ultimate irony is that Solomon, who built the magnificent Temple for Yahweh, now uses his resources to build "high places" (illicit cultic shrines) for pagan gods, right near Jerusalem on the Mount of Olives, which would later be called the "Mount of Corruption" (2 Kings 23:13).

Bible references

1 Kings 9:4-5: "Now if you walk before Me as your father David walked, in integrity of heart (lebab shalem)... then I will establish the throne of your kingdom..." (God's prior warning and standard).
2 Kings 23:13: "Then the king defiled the high places that were east of Jerusalem... which Solomon the king of Israel had built for Ashtoreth..." (King Josiah fulfilling God's judgment by destroying these sites centuries later).
Leviticus 18:21: "And you shall not let any of your descendants pass through the fire to Molech..." (The Mosaic law explicitly condemning the worship Solomon enabled).

Cross references

1Ki 3:14 (God's initial condition for a long reign); 1Ki 15:3 (Abijam judged against David's standard); Deu 12:2-3 (Command to destroy Canaanite high places); Jer 32:35 (High places of Baal and Molech).

1 Kings 11:9-13

So the LORD became angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned from the LORD God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods; but he did not keep what the LORD had commanded. Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this... I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant..."

In-depth-analysis

Aggravated Sin: God's anger is intensified because Solomon's disobedience came after receiving direct, personal revelation. God had "appeared to him twice" (1 Kings 3:5; 9:2), a rare privilege, making his rebellion an act of extreme ingratitude and high-handed sin.
The Judgment: Tearing: The verb "tear" (qara) is significant. It is a violent and decisive act. It will be visualized later when Ahijah the prophet tears his garment (v. 30-31). This signifies the violent sundering of the united monarchy.
Mercy within Judgment: God's faithfulness to His covenant with David tempers the judgment:
1. Delay: "I will not do it in your days, for the sake of your father David." The judgment is deferred for one generation.
2. Remnant: "I will not tear away the whole kingdom; I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David, and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen." God preserves a remnant (Judah, plus Benjamin) and the royal city.
Covenantal Faithfulness: This passage masterfully shows the tension between God's righteousness (which demands judgment for sin) and His covenant faithfulness (which honors His unconditional promise to David).

Bible references

2 Samuel 7:14-16: "I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commits iniquity, I will chasten him... But My mercy shall not depart from him... And your house and your kingdom shall be established forever..." (The Davidic Covenant, which explains God's tempered judgment).
Psalm 89:30-34: "If his sons forsake My law... Then I will punish their transgression... Nevertheless My lovingkindness I will not utterly take from him..." (A poetic reflection on the terms of the Davidic Covenant).
1 Samuel 15:28: "So Samuel said to him, 'The LORD has torn the kingdom of Israel from you today...'" (The same "tearing" judgment enacted on Saul, but for Saul it was total, whereas for Solomon's line it is partial).

Cross references

1Ki 3:5 (First appearance of God); 1Ki 9:2 (Second appearance); Isa 55:3 (Everlasting covenant with David); Rom 11:29 (God's gifts and calling are irrevocable).

1 Kings 11:14-25

Now the LORD raised up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite... And God raised up another adversary against him, Rezon the son of Eliadah... He was an adversary of Israel all the days of Solomon...

In-depth-analysis

The Satan Role: The Hebrew word for "adversary" here is satan (שָׂטָן). In this context, it does not refer to the devil but to a human political/military opponent whom God raises up as an instrument of His judgment. God turns Solomon's external peace (1 Ki 4:24) into conflict.
Hadad the Edomite: The narrative provides a detailed backstory for Hadad, showing how this threat had been simmering for years, only to be "raised up" by God at the opportune time. It shows God's sovereign control over historical events. He had been a refugee in Egypt, a thorn in David's side, and now becomes a tool against Solomon.
Rezon of Damascus: Similar to Hadad, Rezon is an external foe who carves out a kingdom in Syria (Aram), threatening Israel's northern border.
Consequence of Sin: Solomon's reign began with peace on all sides as a blessing from God (1 Ki 5:4). His disobedience results in the removal of that blessing, and he is now harassed by enemies his father David had previously subdued. God's blessings are conditional on obedience.

Bible references

1 Chronicles 18:12-13: "Moreover Abishai the son of Zeruiah killed eighteen thousand Edomites in the Valley of Salt... and all the Edomites became David’s servants." (Context for David's defeat of Edom, explaining Hadad's animosity).
Lamentations 3:38: "Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that woe and well-being proceed?" (Theological principle that God is sovereign over both blessing and calamity).
Isaiah 10:5-6: "Woe to Assyria, the rod of My anger... I will send him against a godless nation..." (Example of God using a pagan nation as an instrument of His judgment against His own people).

Cross references

1Ki 5:4 (Peace during early reign); 2Sa 8:3-6 (David's defeat of Hadadezer, Rezon's former master); Amos 3:6 (Does disaster come to a city unless the LORD has done it?).

1 Kings 11:26-40

Then Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite from Zereda, Solomon’s servant whose mother’s name was Zeruah, a widow, also rebelled against the king... Now the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him on the way... Ahijah took hold of the new garment that was on him, and tore it into twelve pieces... he said to Jeroboam, “Take for yourself ten pieces, for thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: ‘Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and will give ten tribes to you...’”

In-depth-analysis

The Internal Adversary: Jeroboam is the most significant threat because he is an insider—an "Ephraimite" and one of Solomon's own officials. The threat from within will succeed where the external threats only harass. His tribe, Ephraim, had a historical rivalry with Judah.
The Prophetic Sign-Act: The prophet Ahijah tearing his new cloak into twelve pieces is a dramatic and unforgettable enactment of God's coming judgment. This method of prophetic communication makes the message tangible and inescapable.
The Conditional Promise: God makes a covenant-like promise to Jeroboam (v. 38): "if you... walk in My ways... I will be with you and build for you an enduring house, as I built for David." This is a remarkable offer of a dynasty, but it is entirely conditional on obedience. Unlike the Davidic covenant, it contains no unconditional guarantee. Jeroboam's subsequent failure to trust this promise (1 Ki 12:26-33) will lead to the downfall of his own line.
Solomon's Reaction: Faced with this prophecy, Solomon's response is not repentance but violence. He "sought to kill Jeroboam." This contrasts sharply with David's humble submission to God's prophet (2 Samuel 12:13) and shows how far his heart has hardened.

Bible references

1 Kings 12:15: "So the king did not listen to the people; for the turn of events was from the LORD..." (The fulfillment of Ahijah's prophecy when the kingdom officially splits).
Hosea 13:11: "I gave you a king in My anger, And took him away in My wrath." (A later prophetic reflection on the failures of the monarchy, beginning with Saul and echoing through this period).
Matthew 12:42: "The queen of the South will rise up in the judgment with this generation and condemn it, for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon; and indeed a greater than Solomon is here." (Jesus contrasts Solomon's failure with His own perfection, highlighting that worldly wisdom is insufficient without divine faithfulness).

Cross references

Jud 21:6 (Civil war, tearing Israel apart); 1Ki 14:7-11 (Ahijah's later prophecy of judgment against Jeroboam for his idolatry); 2Ki 17:21-23 (Jeroboam's sin cited as the root cause for the final exile of the northern kingdom).

1 Kings 11:41-43

Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon? And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. Then Solomon rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David his father. And Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.

In-depth-analysis

Standard Concluding Formula: The author uses the typical closing formula for a king's reign, referencing a source document ("the book of the acts of Solomon"), giving the length of his reign, and noting his death and burial.
"Wisdom": The mention of his "wisdom" here is poignant and perhaps ironic. The chapter has just demonstrated how the wisest man on earth could commit the greatest folly. It acknowledges his fame for wisdom while framing it within his ultimate spiritual failure.
Forty Years: The 40-year reign (like David's and Saul's traditional length) is a standard generational number, symbolizing a complete and significant era. It marks the end of a golden age and the end of the united kingdom.
No Mention of Repentance: Conspicuously absent is any mention of Solomon's repentance. The text leaves his final spiritual state ambiguous, focusing instead on the political consequences of his sin that are passed to his son, Rehoboam.

Bible references

1 Kings 14:29: "Now the rest of the acts of Rehoboam, and all that he did, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah?" (Example of the standard Deuteronomistic concluding formula).
Ecclesiastes 2:10-11: "Whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them... Then I looked on all the works that my hands had done... and indeed all was vanity and grasping for the wind." (Many scholars see Ecclesiastes, traditionally ascribed to Solomon, as a reflection on the emptiness of worldly pursuits even when achieved on a grand scale).
Psalm 127:1: "Unless the LORD builds the house, They labor in vain who build it..." (A wisdom Psalm, traditionally linked to Solomon, which provides a profound commentary on his life's work: even the Temple is in vain if the heart isn't right).

Cross references

2Ch 9:29-31 (Parallel account); 1Ki 2:10 (David's death and burial); 1Ki 15:24 (Asa's death and burial).

1 Kings chapter 11 analysis

The Tragic Hero: Solomon fits the archetype of a tragic hero. He is endowed with extraordinary gifts (wisdom, wealth, God's favor) but possesses a fatal flaw (lust, desire for political security over covenantal faithfulness) that leads to his downfall and the ruin of his kingdom.
Deuteronomistic Theology in Action: This chapter is a textbook example of the theological worldview of the Deuteronomistic Historian (the author/editor of Deuteronomy through Kings). Obedience to the covenant brings blessing (peace, prosperity); disobedience brings curses (adversaries, division). Kings are judged primarily on their fidelity to the First Commandment.
The Problem of the Heart: The recurring phrase "his heart turned" vs. "a loyal/perfect heart" (lebab shalem) is the central diagnostic tool. The narrative teaches that external acts of piety, like building the Temple, are meaningless if the inner orientation of the heart is compromised.
God's Sovereignty and Human Agency: The chapter presents a complex interplay between divine sovereignty and human choice. Solomon makes his own choices to disobey, and he is held responsible. In response, God sovereignly raises up adversaries and directs the course of history to bring about His decreed judgment. The "turn of events was from the LORD" (1 Kings 12:15).
The Unconditional and Conditional Covenants: The story lives in the tension between God's unconditional promise to David (his line will endure) and the conditional promise to Solomon and subsequent kings (their personal reign will be blessed only if they are obedient). God's grace ensures the survival of the dynasty, while his justice ensures the punishment of the sinner.

1 Kings chapter 11 summary

King Solomon, in his old age, directly disobeys God’s commands by marrying many foreign women who turn his heart to idolatry. He builds shrines for their gods, including Molech and Chemosh, abandoning the exclusive worship of Yahweh. In response to this grave sin, God declares that He will tear the kingdom from Solomon's line, yet for David’s sake, He will delay the judgment until after Solomon's death and will leave one tribe (Judah) for his heir. God raises three adversaries to chasten Solomon: Hadad the Edomite, Rezon of Damascus, and, most importantly, his own official, Jeroboam, to whom the prophet Ahijah promises ten tribes. Solomon dies after a forty-year reign, setting the stage for his son Rehoboam and the imminent division of Israel.

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1 Kings chapter 11 kjv

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.
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.
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.
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 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.
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.
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 valor: 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.
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.

1 Kings chapter 11 nkjv

¹ But King Solomon loved many foreign women, as well as the daughter of Pharaoh: women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites?
² from the nations of whom the LORD had said to the children of Israel, "You shall not intermarry with them, nor they with you. Surely they will turn away your hearts after their gods." Solomon clung to these in love.
³ And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines; and his wives turned away his heart.
⁴ For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David.
⁵ For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
⁶ Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and did not fully follow the LORD, as did his father David.
⁷ Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, on the hill that is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the people of Ammon.
⁸ And he did likewise for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.
⁹ So the LORD became angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned from the LORD God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice,
¹⁰ and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods; but he did not keep what the LORD had commanded.
¹¹ Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, "Because you have done this, and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant.
¹² Nevertheless I will not do it in your days, for the sake of your father David; I will tear it out of the hand of your son.
¹³ However I will not tear away the whole kingdom; I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David, and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen."
¹⁴ Now the LORD raised up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite; he was a descendant of the king in Edom.
¹⁵ For it happened, when David was in Edom, and Joab the commander of the army had gone up to bury the slain, after he had killed every male in Edom
¹⁶ (because for six months Joab remained there with all Israel, until he had cut down every male in Edom),
¹⁷ that Hadad fled to go to Egypt, he and certain Edomites of his father's servants with him. Hadad was still a little child.
¹⁸ Then they arose from Midian and came to Paran; and they took men with them from Paran and came to Egypt, to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave him a house, apportioned food for him, and gave him land.
¹⁹ And Hadad found great favor in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him as wife the sister of his own wife, that is, the sister of Queen Tahpenes.
²⁰ Then the sister of Tahpenes bore him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh's house. And Genubath was in Pharaoh's household among the sons of Pharaoh.
²¹ So when Hadad heard in Egypt that David rested with his fathers, and that Joab the commander of the army was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, "Let me depart, that I may go to my own country."
²² Then Pharaoh said to him, "But what have you lacked with me, that suddenly you seek to go to your own country?" So he answered, "Nothing, but do let me go anyway."
²³ And God raised up another adversary against him, Rezon the son of Eliadah, who had fled from his lord, Hadadezer king of Zobah.
²⁴ So he gathered men to him and became captain over a band of raiders, when David killed those of Zobah. And they went to Damascus and dwelt there, and reigned in Damascus.
²⁵ He was an adversary of Israel all the days of Solomon (besides the trouble that Hadad caused); and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria.
²⁶ Then Solomon's servant, Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite from Zereda, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow, also rebelled against the king.
²⁷ And this is what caused him to rebel against the king: Solomon had built the Millo and repaired the damages to the City of David his father.
²⁸ The man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor; and Solomon, seeing that the young man was industrious, made him the officer over all the labor force of the house of Joseph.
²⁹ Now it happened at that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite met him on the way; and he had clothed himself with a new garment, and the two were alone in the field.
³⁰ Then Ahijah took hold of the new garment that was on him, and tore it into twelve pieces.
³¹ And he said to Jeroboam, "Take for yourself ten pieces, for thus says the LORD, the God of Israel: 'Behold, I will tear the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon and will give ten tribes to you
³² (but he shall have one tribe for the sake of My servant David, and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel),
³³ because they have forsaken Me, and worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the people of Ammon, and have not walked in My ways to do what is right in My eyes and keep My statutes and My judgments, as did his father David.
³⁴ However I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand, because I have made him ruler all the days of his life for the sake of My servant David, 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 give it to you?ten tribes.
³⁶ And to his son I will give one tribe, that My servant David may always have a lamp before Me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen for Myself, to put My name there.
³⁷ So I will take you, and you shall reign over all your heart desires, and you shall be king over Israel.
³⁸ Then it shall be, if you heed all that I command you, walk in My ways, and do what is right in My sight, to keep My statutes and My commandments, as My servant David did, then I will be with you and build for you an enduring house, as I built for David, and will give Israel to you.
³⁹ And I will afflict the descendants of David because of this, but not forever.' "
⁴⁰ Solomon therefore sought to kill Jeroboam. But Jeroboam arose and fled to Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.
⁴¹ Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon?
⁴² And the period that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.
⁴³ Then Solomon rested with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David his father. And Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.

1 Kings chapter 11 niv

¹ King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh's daughter?Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites.
² They were from nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, "You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods." Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love.
³ He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray.
⁴ As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been.
⁵ He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites.
⁶ So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD; he did not follow the LORD completely, as David his father had done.
⁷ On a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable god of Moab, and for Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites.
⁸ He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and offered sacrifices to their gods.
⁹ The LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.
¹⁰ Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the LORD's command.
¹¹ So the LORD said to Solomon, "Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates.
¹² Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son.
¹³ Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him, but will give him one tribe for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen."
¹⁴ Then the LORD raised up against Solomon an adversary, Hadad the Edomite, from the royal line of Edom.
¹⁵ Earlier when David was fighting with Edom, Joab the commander of the army, who had gone up to bury the dead, had struck down all the men in Edom.
¹⁶ Joab and all the Israelites stayed there for six months, until they had destroyed all the men in Edom.
¹⁷ But Hadad, still only a boy, fled to Egypt with some Edomite officials who had served his father.
¹⁸ They set out from Midian and went to Paran. Then taking people from Paran with them, they went to Egypt, to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave Hadad a house and land and provided him with food.
¹⁹ Pharaoh was so pleased with Hadad that he gave him a sister of his own wife, Queen Tahpenes, in marriage.
²⁰ The sister of Tahpenes bore him a son named Genubath, whom Tahpenes brought up in the royal palace. There Genubath lived with Pharaoh's own children.
²¹ While he was in Egypt, Hadad heard that David rested with his ancestors and that Joab the commander of the army was also dead. Then Hadad said to Pharaoh, "Let me go, that I may return to my own country."
²² "What have you lacked here that you want to go back to your own country?" Pharaoh asked. "Nothing," Hadad replied, "but do let me go!"
²³ And God raised up against Solomon another adversary, Rezon son of Eliada, who had fled from his master, Hadadezer king of Zobah.
²⁴ When David destroyed Zobah's army, Rezon gathered a band of men around him and became their leader; they went to Damascus, where they settled and took control.
²⁵ Rezon was Israel's adversary as long as Solomon lived, adding to the trouble caused by Hadad. So Rezon ruled in Aram and was hostile toward Israel.
²⁶ Also, Jeroboam son of Nebat rebelled against the king. He was one of Solomon's officials, an Ephraimite from Zeredah, and his mother was a widow named Zeruah.
²⁷ Here is the account of how he rebelled against the king: Solomon had built the terraces and had filled in the gap in the wall of the city of David his father.
²⁸ Now Jeroboam was a man of standing, and when Solomon saw how well the young man did his work, he put him in charge of the whole labor force of the tribes of Joseph.
²⁹ About that time Jeroboam was going out of Jerusalem, and Ahijah the prophet of Shiloh met him on the way, wearing a new cloak. The two of them were alone out in the country,
³⁰ and Ahijah took hold of the new cloak he was wearing and tore it into twelve pieces.
³¹ Then he said to Jeroboam, "Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'See, I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon's hand and give you ten tribes.
³² But for the sake of my servant David and the city of Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, he will have one tribe.
³³ I will do this because they have forsaken me and worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Molek the god of the Ammonites, and have not walked in obedience to me, nor done what is right in my eyes, nor kept my decrees and laws as David, Solomon's father, did.
³⁴ "?'But I will not take the whole kingdom out of Solomon's hand; I have made him ruler all the days of his life for the sake of David my servant, whom I chose and who obeyed my commands and decrees.
³⁵ I will take the kingdom from his son's hands and give you ten tribes.
³⁶ I will give one tribe to his son so that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city where I chose to put my Name.
³⁷ However, as for you, I will take you, and you will rule over all that your heart desires; you will be king over Israel.
³⁸ If you do whatever I command you and walk in obedience to me and do what is right in my eyes by obeying my decrees and commands, as David my servant did, I will be with you. I will build you a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for David and will give Israel to you.
³⁹ I will humble David's descendants because of this, but not forever.'?"
⁴⁰ Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam, but Jeroboam fled to Egypt, to Shishak the king, and stayed there until Solomon's death.
⁴¹ As for the other events of Solomon's reign?all he did and the wisdom he displayed?are they not written in the book of the annals of Solomon?
⁴² Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel forty years.
⁴³ Then he rested with his ancestors and was buried in the city of David his father. And Rehoboam his son succeeded him as king.

1 Kings chapter 11 esv

¹ Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women,
² from the nations concerning which the LORD had said to the people of Israel, "You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods." Solomon clung to these in love.
³ He had 700 wives, who were princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his heart.
⁴ For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.
⁵ For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
⁶ So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and did not wholly follow the LORD, as David his father had done.
⁷ Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites, on the mountain east of Jerusalem.
⁸ And so he did for all his foreign wives, who made offerings and sacrificed to their gods.
⁹ And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice
¹⁰ and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what the LORD commanded.
¹¹ Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, "Since this has been your practice and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant.
¹² Yet for the sake of David your father I will not do it in your days, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son.
¹³ However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son, for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem that I have chosen."
¹⁴ And the LORD raised up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite. He was of the royal house in Edom.
¹⁵ For when David was in Edom, and Joab the commander of the army went up to bury the slain, he struck down every male in Edom
¹⁶ (for Joab and all Israel remained there six months, until he had cut off every male in Edom).
¹⁷ But Hadad fled to Egypt, together with certain Edomites of his father's servants, Hadad still being a little child.
¹⁸ They set out from Midian and came to Paran and took men with them from Paran and came to Egypt, to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave him a house and assigned him an allowance of food and gave him land.
¹⁹ And Hadad found great favor in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him in marriage the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen.
²⁰ And the sister of Tahpenes bore him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh's house. And Genubath was in Pharaoh's house among the sons of Pharaoh.
²¹ But when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers and that Joab the commander of the army was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, "Let me depart, that I may go to my own country."
²² But Pharaoh said to him, "What have you lacked with me that you are now seeking to go to your own country?" And he said to him, "Only let me depart."
²³ God also raised up as an adversary to him, Rezon the son of Eliada, who had fled from his master Hadadezer king of Zobah.
²⁴ And he gathered men about him and became leader of a marauding band, after the killing by David. And they went to Damascus and lived there and made him king in Damascus.
²⁵ He was an adversary of Israel all the days of Solomon, doing harm as Hadad did. And he loathed Israel and reigned over Syria.
²⁶ Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephraimite of Zeredah, a servant of Solomon, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow, also lifted up his hand against the king.
²⁷ And this was the reason why he lifted up his hand against the king. Solomon built the Millo, and closed up the breach of the city of David his father.
²⁸ The man Jeroboam was very able, and when Solomon saw that the young man was industrious he gave him charge over all the forced labor of the house of Joseph.
²⁹ And at that time, when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite found him on the road. Now Ahijah had dressed himself in a new garment, and the two of them were alone in the open country.
³⁰ Then Ahijah laid hold of the new garment that was on him, and tore it into twelve pieces.
³¹ And he said to Jeroboam, "Take for yourself ten pieces, for thus says the LORD, the God of Israel, 'Behold, I am about to tear the kingdom from the hand of Solomon and will give you ten tribes
³² (but he shall have one tribe, for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, the city that I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel),
³³ because they have forsaken me and worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the Ammonites, and they have not walked in my ways, doing what is right in my sight and keeping my statutes and my rules, as David his father did.
³⁴ Nevertheless, I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand, but I will make him ruler all the days of his life, for the sake of David my servant whom I chose, who kept my commandments and my statutes.
³⁵ But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand and will give it to you, ten tribes.
³⁶ Yet to his son I will give one tribe, that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city where I have chosen to put my name.
³⁷ And I will take you, and you shall reign over all that your soul desires, and you shall be king over Israel.
³⁸ And if you will listen to all that I command you, and will walk in my ways, and do what is right in my eyes by keeping my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did, I will be with you and will build you a sure house, as I built for David, and I will give Israel to you.
³⁹ And I will afflict the offspring of David because of this, but not forever.'"
⁴⁰ Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. But Jeroboam arose and fled into Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.
⁴¹ Now 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 place.

1 Kings chapter 11 nlt

¹ Now King Solomon loved many foreign women. Besides Pharaoh's daughter, he married women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hittites.
² The LORD had clearly instructed the people of Israel, "You must not marry them, because they will turn your hearts to their gods." Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway.
³ He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. And in fact, they did turn his heart away from the LORD.
⁴ In Solomon's old age, they turned his heart to worship other gods instead of being completely faithful to the LORD his God, as his father, David, had been.
⁵ Solomon worshiped Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech, the detestable god of the Ammonites.
⁶ In this way, Solomon did what was evil in the LORD's sight; he refused to follow the LORD completely, as his father, David, had done.
⁷ On the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem, he even built a pagan shrine for Chemosh, the detestable god of Moab, and another for Molech, the detestable god of the Ammonites.
⁸ Solomon built such shrines for all his foreign wives to use for burning incense and sacrificing to their gods.
⁹ The LORD was very angry with Solomon, for his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.
¹⁰ He had warned Solomon specifically about worshiping other gods, but Solomon did not listen to the LORD's command.
¹¹ So now the LORD said to him, "Since you have not kept my covenant and have disobeyed my decrees, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your servants.
¹² But for the sake of your father, David, I will not do this while you are still alive. I will take the kingdom away from your son.
¹³ And even so, I will not take away the entire kingdom; I will let him be king of one tribe, for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, my chosen city."
¹⁴ Then the LORD raised up Hadad the Edomite, a member of Edom's royal family, to be Solomon's adversary.
¹⁵ Years before, David had defeated Edom. Joab, his army commander, had stayed to bury some of the Israelite soldiers who had died in battle. While there, they killed every male in Edom.
¹⁶ Joab and the army of Israel had stayed there for six months, killing them.
¹⁷ But Hadad and a few of his father's royal officials escaped and headed for Egypt. (Hadad was just a boy at the time.)
¹⁸ They set out from Midian and went to Paran, where others joined them. Then they traveled to Egypt and went to Pharaoh, who gave them a home, food, and some land.
¹⁹ Pharaoh grew very fond of Hadad, and he gave him his wife's sister in marriage ? the sister of Queen Tahpenes.
²⁰ She bore him a son named Genubath. Tahpenes raised him in Pharaoh's palace among Pharaoh's own sons.
²¹ When the news reached Hadad in Egypt that David and his commander Joab were both dead, he said to Pharaoh, "Let me return to my own country."
²² "Why?" Pharaoh asked him. "What do you lack here that makes you want to go home?" "Nothing," he replied. "But even so, please let me return home."
²³ God also raised up Rezon son of Eliada as Solomon's adversary. Rezon had fled from his master, King Hadadezer of Zobah,
²⁴ and had become the leader of a gang of rebels. After David conquered Hadadezer, Rezon and his men fled to Damascus, where he became king.
²⁵ Rezon was Israel's bitter adversary for the rest of Solomon's reign, and he made trouble, just as Hadad did. Rezon hated Israel intensely and continued to reign in Aram.
²⁶ Another rebel leader was Jeroboam son of Nebat, one of Solomon's own officials. He came from the town of Zeredah in Ephraim, and his mother was Zeruah, a widow.
²⁷ This is the story behind his rebellion. Solomon was rebuilding the supporting terraces and repairing the walls of the city of his father, David.
²⁸ Jeroboam was a very capable young man, and when Solomon saw how industrious he was, he put him in charge of the labor force from the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh, the descendants of Joseph.
²⁹ One day as Jeroboam was leaving Jerusalem, the prophet Ahijah from Shiloh met him along the way. Ahijah was wearing a new cloak. The two of them were alone in a field,
³⁰ and Ahijah took hold of the new cloak he was wearing and tore it into twelve pieces.
³¹ Then he said to Jeroboam, "Take ten of these pieces, for this is what the LORD, the God of Israel, says: 'I am about to tear the kingdom from the hand of Solomon, and I will give ten of the tribes to you!
³² But I will leave him one tribe for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel.
³³ For Solomon has abandoned me and worshiped Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians; Chemosh, the god of Moab; and Molech, the god of the Ammonites. He has not followed my ways and done what is pleasing in my sight. He has not obeyed my decrees and regulations as David his father did.
³⁴ "'But I will not take the entire kingdom from Solomon at this time. For the sake of my servant David, the one whom I chose and who obeyed my commands and decrees, I will keep Solomon as leader for the rest of his life.
³⁵ But I will take the kingdom away from his son and give ten of the tribes to you.
³⁶ His son will have one tribe so that the descendants of David my servant will continue to reign, shining like a lamp in Jerusalem, the city I have chosen to be the place for my name.
³⁷ And I will place you on the throne of Israel, and you will rule over all that your heart desires.
³⁸ If you listen to what I tell you and follow my ways and do whatever I consider to be right, and if you obey my decrees and commands, as my servant David did, then I will always be with you. I will establish an enduring dynasty for you as I did for David, and I will give Israel to you.
³⁹ Because of Solomon's sin I will punish the descendants of David ? though not forever.'"
⁴⁰ Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam, but he fled to King Shishak of Egypt and stayed there until Solomon died.
⁴¹ The rest of the events in Solomon's reign, including all his deeds and his wisdom, are recorded in The Book of the Acts of Solomon.
⁴² Solomon ruled in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years.
⁴³ When he died, he was buried in the City of David, named for his father. Then his son Rehoboam became the next king.