A Divided Kingdom: The Books of I & II Kings Solomon’s Demise I Kings Chapter 11 1 Kings 11 Solomon's Wives  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 Molech [a] 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 Molech 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." Solomon's Adversaries  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 men 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 fathers 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 He gathered men around him and became the leader of a band of rebels when David destroyed the forces [b] of Zobah ; the rebels 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. Jeroboam Rebels Against Solomon  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 supporting terraces [c] 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 house 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 [d] forsaken me and worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Molech the god of the Ammonites, and have not walked in my ways, nor done what is right in my eyes, nor kept my statutes 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 observed my commands and statutes. 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 my ways and do what is right in my eyes by keeping my statutes 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. 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 fathers and was buried in the city of David his father. And Rehoboam his son succeeded him as king. Footnotes: 1 Kings 11:5 Hebrew Milcom ; also in verse 33 1 Kings 11:24 Hebrew destroyed them 1 Kings 11:27 Or the Millo 1 Kings 11:33 Hebrew; Septuagint, Vulgate and Syriac because he has

Announcements

I Kings Week Date Topic 1 05 Sep 12 Introduction 2 12 Sep 12 Fight For the Kingdom: I Ki 1-2 3 19 Sep 12 Solomon Begins His Reign: I Ki 3-5 4 26 Sep 12 Solomon Builds The Temple: I Ki 6-8 5 03 Oct 12 Splendor of Solomon’s Kingdom: I Ki 9-10 6 10 Oct 12 Solomon’s Demise: I Ki 11 7 17 Oct 12 Division of the Kingdom: I Ki:12 8 24 Oct 12 Early History of the Kingdoms, Pt 1: I Ki 12:25-16:34 9 31 Oct 12 Early History of the Kingdoms, Pt 2: I Ki 12:25-16:34 10 07 Nov 12 Stories of Elijah: I Ki 17:1-19:21 11 14 Nov 12 War with Syria: I Ki 20:1-43 12 21 Nov 12 More Stories of Elijah: I Ki 21:1-21:29 13 27 Nov 12 Ahab’s Final Battle: I Ki 22:1-53

Today’s Objectives Review last weeks lesson Review historical maps of Israel and the region Learn about Solomon’s unlawful marriages Learn why Solomon turns to pagan gods Learn about God’s judgment upon Solomon Review how God raises two enemies against Solomon See how and why God chooses Jeroboam to rule 10 tribes of Israel This chapter is pivotal in the history of Israel. In this chapter, we see the beginning of Northern Kingdom of 10 tribes and the rise of Syria and Edom, whom will be problematic to Israel for centuries. We also see Jeroboam chosen to take over 10 tribes of the divided kingdom and see Judah become the Southern Kingdom.

Last Week’s Lesson Reviewed the previous week’s lesson Reviewed historical maps of Israel and the region Learnd how God warns Solomon a second time to heed His commandments and walk in His ways (Chp 9) Reviewed Solomon’s building projects (Chp 9) Learned about the Queen of Sheba’s visit (Chp 10) Learned about Solomon’s great wealth (Chp 10) Learned how Solomon’s great wealth begins to corrupt

Overview of I and II Kings Originally one book Early Greek manuscripts of the OT combined the books of Samuel and Kings under the title of "kingdoms," or "reigns" Kings was broken into two books for convenience sake because of its length (Greek translation) Authorship Some portions of the book identical to the book of Jeremiah Jeremiah would have personal knowledge of some contents Evidence that Ezra was the author after the Babylonian captivity Timeline Approximately 400 years, written between 560 B.C. and 538 B.C. Start: Death of David in 971 B.C. End: Jehoiachin's release from a Babylonian prison in 562 B.C. First and Second Kings were originally one book, called in the Hebrew text, “Kings,” from the first word in 1:1. The Greek translation of the OT, the Septuagint (LXX), divided the book in two, and this was followed by the Latin Vulgate (Vg.) version and English translations. The division was for the convenience of copying this lengthy book on scrolls and codexes and was not based on features of content. John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Handbook The LXX and Vg. connected Kings with the books of Samuel, so that the titles in the LXX are “The Third and Fourth Books of Kingdoms” and in the Vg. “Third and Fourth Kings.” The books of 1 and 2 Samuel and 1 and 2 Kings combined are a chronicle of the entire history of Judah’s and Israel’s kingship from Saul to Zedekiah. First and Second Chronicles provides only the history of Judah’s monarchy. John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Handbook Jewish tradition proposed that Jeremiah wrote Kings, though this is unlikely because the final event recorded in the book (see 2 King 25:27–30) occurred in Babylon in 561 b.c. Jeremiah never went to Babylon, but to Egypt (Jer. 43:1–7), and would have been at least 86 years old by 561 b.c. Actually, the identity of the unnamed author remains unknown. Since the ministry of prophets is emphasized in Kings, it seems that the author was most likely an unnamed prophet of the Lord who lived in exile with Israel in Babylon. John MacArthur, The MacArthur Bible Handbook For similarities between Kings and Jeremiah - see 2 Ki 24:18-25 and Jer 52; 39:1-10, and 40:7-41:10

Overview of I and II Kings Books of Samuel and Kings cover Israel's period as a nation under a king: I Samuel: Life of Saul II Samuel: Life of David I Kings: Solomon and the divided kingdom II Kings: The fall of the divided kingdoms of Israel and Judah Content of I and II Kings 47 chapters (I Ki – 22 chapters, II Ki – 25 chapters) History of the Jewish commonwealth Death of David to subjugation to Babylonians

Overview of I and II Kings Purpose Imparting of great moral lessons backed up by well-known illustrations Religious history Focused upon kings rather than prophets Key Lesson God does not fail His people; His people, led by their kings, have failed God God’s covenant has the contingency of Israel’s faithfulness Covenant also promises a return from exile those that return to God The book of Kings is ultimately answering the question, “In light of God’s covenant with Abraham (the land) and with David (an everlasting throne), how did all of this happen to us?” The answer: “God has not failed his people; his people, led by their kings, have failed their God. The covenants, after all, have the contingency of Israel’s faithfulness written into them. But the covenant also promises return from exile for those who return to Yahweh (Deut 30:1-10).

Main Characters of Chapters 11 Solomon – David’s youngest son and the third king of Israel Chemosh - god of Moab, fish god Molech - god of the Ammonites, associated with child-sacrifice Ashtoreth – moon goddess of the Sidonians, also Ishtar, Astarte Hadad – enemy God raised to punish Solomon, ruled in Edom, managed to escape Edom when Joab (David’s military commander) destroyed the Edomites Rezon - enemy God raised to punish Solomon, ruled in Syria (Aram), originally a leader of a band of rebels when David destroyed the forces of Zobah Jeroboam – God selects to ebelled against the king. He was one of Solomon's officials, an Ephraimite from Zeredah, and his mother was a widow named Zeruah Ahijah - prophet of Shiloh, delivered the news that God would give Jeroboam 10 tribes to rule over; also, God would leave one tribe with one of Solomon’s son Rehoboam – Solomon’s son who succeeded him as king Chemosh -The destroyer, subduer, or fishgod, the god of the Moabites (Num_21:29; Jer_48:7, Jer_48:13, Jer_48:46). The worship of this god, “the abomination of Moab,” was introduced at Jerusalem by Solomon (1Ki_11:7), but was abolished by Josiah (2Ki_23:13). On the “Moabite Stone” (q.v.), Mesha (2Ki_3:5) ascribes his victories over the king of Israel to this god, “And Chemosh drove him before my sight.” (Easton) Ashtoreth - The moon goddess of the Phoenicians, representing the passive principle in nature, their principal female deity; frequently associated with the name of Baal, the sun-god, their chief male deity (Jdg_10:6; 1Sa_7:4; 1Sa_12:10). These names often occur in the plural (Ashtaroth, Baalim), probably as indicating either different statues or different modifications of the deities. This deity is spoken of as Ashtoreth of the Zidonians. She was the Ishtar of the Accadians and the Astarte of the Greeks (Jer_44:17; 1Ki_11:5, 1Ki_11:33; 2Ki_23:13). There was a temple of this goddess among the Philistines in the time of Saul (1Sa_31:10). Under the name of Ishtar, she was one of the great deities of the Assyrians. The Phoenicians called her Astarte. Solomon introduced the worship of this idol (1Ki_11:33). Jezebel's 400 priests were probably employed in its service (1Ki_18:19). It was called the “queen of heaven” (Jer_44:25). (Easton) Molech - name of a pagan deity to whom human sacrifices were made. This deity often is associated with Ammon (compare 1 Kings 11:7—) “the abomination of the children of Ammon.” Leviticus 20:5 condemns those who “commit whoredom with Molech” (see also Leviticus 18:21; Leviticus 20:3-5; 2 Kings 23:10; Jeremiah 32:35). Some recent archaeological evidence points to child sacrifice in ancient Ammon. Many scholars contend that all the biblical texts referring to Molech can be understood by interpreting it as a divine name.

Solomon’s Unlawful Marriage (1 Kings 11:1-3) Solomon loved many foreign women Foreign women who worshipped other Gods Many women Nations Israel was to intermarry with 700 wives and 300 concubines Lust for power, prestige, and authority If one wife can’t satisfy, neither will 1000 Deuteronomy 17:17: Neither shall he multiply wives for himself, lest his heart turn away His many wives turned away his heart Read 1 Ki 11:1-3 Concubine - In this sense a concubine was a legal mistress. Many prominent men in the Old Testament had concubines. Examples include Abraham (Genesis 25:6), Jacob (Genesis 35:22), Caleb (1 Chronicles 2:46), Saul (2 Samuel 3:7), David (2 Samuel 5:13), and Rehoboam (2 Chronicles 11:21). Significantly, we never see this kind of family life blessed by God. (Guzik)

Solomon Turns To Pagan Gods (1 Kings 11:4-8) Solomon’s heart was not loyal to God As was his father David Went after the gods of the pagan nations Gods from the nations of his wives Possibly didn’t see it as a denial of God Convinced himself that this was okay Gradual, justifiable sin that overcomes us Read 1 Kings 11:4-8

God Announces His Judgment (1 Kings 11:9-13) God becomes angry with Solomon Even though God had appeared to Solomon twice to warn him Kingdom will be torn away from Solomon Judgment delayed until after Solomon’s death One tribe given to Solomon’s son for David’s sake Judah and Benjamin – see 2 Chron 11:12 Read 1 Kings 11:9-13

Two Enemies for Solomon (1 Kings 11:14-25) Hadad the Edomite (11:14-22) Decendent of the king in Edom Joab had killed every male in Edom, Hadad fled to Egypt (2 Sam 8:13) Pharaoh king of Egypt gave him a house, food, and land, he found great favor in the sight of Pharaoh Pharaoh gave Hadad the sister of his wife, Queen Tahpenes, to Hadad as a wife Bore him a son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh's house Read 1 Kings 11:14-25 "When he sent to Hiram to assist him in the building of the temple of the Lord, he could say, There was no Satan [1 Kings 5:4] . . . but now that he had turned away from God three satans rise up against him at once, Hadad, Rezon, and Jeroboam." (Clarke)

Two Enemies for Solomon (1 Kings 11:14-25) Rezon of Syria (11:23-25) Worked for the king of Zobah, but left after David’s defeat Led a band of marauders Took Damascus and became ruler of Syria Laid the foundation for centuries of conflict with Israel, particularly the Northern Kingdom Lineage leads to Tabrimmon, Ben-hadad I, and Ben-hadad II Some of his line sided with Judah against Israel Rezon - Prince, son of Eliadah. Abandoning the service of Hadadezer, the king of Zobah, on the occasion of his being defeated by David, he became the “captain over a band” of marauders, and took Damascus, and became king of Syria (1Ki_11:23-25; 2Sa_8:3-8). For centuries after this the Syrians were the foes of Israel. He “became an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon.” In the battle which was fought the Syrians were scattered, and the Ammonites in alarm fled into their capital. After this Hadadezer went north “to recover his border” (2Sa_8:3, A.V.); but rather, as the Revised Version renders, “to recover his dominion”, i.e., to recruit his forces. Then followed another battle with the Syrian army thus recruited, which resulted in its being totally routed at Helam (2Sa_10:17). Shobach, the leader of the Syrian army, died on the field of battle. The Syrians of Damascus, who had come to help Hadadezer, were also routed, and Damascus was made tributary to David. All the spoils taken in this war, “shields of gold” and “very much brass,” from which afterwards the “brazen sea, and the pillars, and the vessels of brass” for the temple were made (1Ch_18:8), were brought to Jerusalem and dedicated to Jehovah. Thus the power of the Ammonites and the Syrians was finally broken, and David's empire extended to the Euphrates (2Sa_10:15-19; 1Ch_19:15-19). (Easton)

God Picks Jeroboam Lead Israel (1 Kings 11:26-36) Jeroboam – a servant of Solomon (26-28) Son of Nebat, an Ephraimite, a fellow Israelite Rebelled against Solomon for building Millo Perhaps a populist leader, man of valor Ahijah speaks to Jeroboam (29-36) Take ten pieces of the robe He would lead the 10 tribes of the divided kingdom God divides Israel for forsaking Him God keeps one tribe under the house of David First mention of a divided kingdom Read 1 Kings 11:26-36 Millo – Jewish tradition states that Jeroboam rebelled against Millo due to the use of forced labor

Jeroboam and Solomon’s death (1 Kings 11:37-43) God ordains the division of Israel Did this as a judgment upon Solomon for idolatry God promises a lasting dynasty for Jeroboam, if he does what is right in God’s sight Solomon seeks to kill Jeroboam God states Jeroboam’s ascent would happen after Solomon’s death, as judgment upon Solomon Solomon thought he could defeat God’s will Solomon dies after a 40 year reign Read 1 Kings 11:37-43 The last look at the life of Solomon in 1 Kings leads us to believe that he died in apostasy. There is no hopeful or cheerful end to the story in this account. "If he did repent, yet the silence of the Scriptures about it in this history was not without wise reasons; as, among others, that his eternal condition being thus far left doubtful, his example might have the greater influence for the terror and caution of future offenders." (Poole) However, it may be that Solomon was shown special mercy for the sake of David his father (as in 2 Samuel 7:14-15), if that promise also applies to Solomon as well as the Messiah). Some also believe that Solomon wrote the Book of Ecclesiastes at the very end of his life as a renunciation of his fall into vanity.

Review Reviewed last week’s lesson Reviewed historical maps of Israel and the region Learned about Solomon’s unlawful marriages Learned why Solomon turns to pagan gods Learned about God’s judgment upon Solomon Reviewed how God raises two enemies against Solomon Saw how and why God chooses Jeroboam to rule 10 tribes of Israel Next week: Chapter 12 – Division of the Kingdom