1 Kings 10-12 Solomon’s Fall and Rehoboam’s Folly

Thoughts

Kings 10

The Queen of Sheba heard of Solomon’s fame concerning the name of the LORD, so she came to test him with hard questions. She even brought  camels carrying spices, gold, and precious stones.

Solomon answered all her questions without any issues. She was overwhelmed with his many possessions and their splendor. 

She praised the LORD and gave Solomon 120 talents of gold, large quantities of spices, and precious stones. In return, Solomon gave her all she desired and asked for. 

Solomon received 666 talents of gold annually (not counting trade revenue and tribute from kings and governors)

He made 200 large shields of hammered gold and 300 smaller shields. He also built a great throne of ivory overlaid with gold, with six steps, armrests, and lions beside the steps.

All of Solomon’s drinking vessels and household articles were of gold. 

He had a fleet of trading ships that brought back gold, silver, ivory, apes, and baboons every three years.

• The word for baboon here is תֻּכִּיִּים (tukkîyîm) which could also be peacocks. It could be from an Indian or Tamil word (tokei for peacock). The Septuagint (Greek OT) uses πίθηκοι (pithēkoi), which means “monkeys/apes.”

He had 1,400 chariots and 12,000 horses, which he stationed in chariot cities and with him in Jerusalem.

Solomon had horses imported from Egypt which goes against Deuteronomy 17:16  which says But he shall not multiply horses for himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt to multiply horses, for the LORD has said to you, “You shall not return that way again.”

Kings 11

Solomon loved many foreign women (700 + 300 concubines) in addition to Pharaoh’s daughter, including Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites. These women came from nations the LORD had warned Israel not to marry because they would turn their hearts after other gods. (Exodus 34:15–16; Deuteronomy 7:3-4)

As he got older, Solomon’s heart was not fully devoted to the LORD. He followed Ashtoreth (goddess of the Sidonians), Molech (horrible god of the Ammonites), and Chemosh (god of Moab). He built high places forthem on a hill east of Jerusalem (probably Mount of Olives).

The LORD became angry with Solomon and warned him twice. Solomon did not repent so God said the kingdom would be torn from him and given to one of his subordinates. However, for David’s sake, it would not happen in Solomon’s lifetime, and one tribe would remain for David’s line (Judah (and Benjamin)) 

Adversaries Raised Up Against Solomon 

• Hadad the Edomite: From the royal line of Edom. He fled to Egypt when Joab struck down the Edomites. Pharaoh gave him refuge and even married him into the royal family. He later returned and opposed Solomon.
• Rezon son of Eliada: Gathered men and became leader of a band of raiders. They settled in Damascus, where he ruled and became Solomon’s adversary throughout his reign.
• Jeroboam son of Nebat, an Ephraimite and one of Solomon’s officials, rebelled against the king.
• The prophet Ahijah the Shilonite met him and tore a new cloak into twelve pieces, telling Jeroboam to take ten, symbolizing that God would give him ten tribes.
• God promised Jeroboam an enduring dynasty if he obeyed His commands like David.
• Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam, but he fled to Egypt until Solomon’s death.

The rest of Solomon’s acts are written in the Book of the Acts of Solomon (a lost historical record). He reigned 40 years over all Israel and he died and was buried in the city of David.

Kings 12

After Solomon’s death, his son Rehoboam was made king. 

Jeroboam led the people in asking Rehoboam to lighten the harsh labor and heavy yoke Solomon had imposed.

• Rehoboam consulted two groups:
  • The elders who had served Solomon: advised him to be a servant-leader, speak kindly, and the people would serve him forever.
  • The young men who had grown up with him: advised him to be harsher

Rehoboam followed the advice of the young men.This harsh response caused Israel to reject him. Scripture notes that this turn of events was from the LORD, fulfilling the word spoken to Jeroboam through Ahijah.

Jeroboam became king over the northern tribes. Rehoboam still reigned over the Israelites living in the towns of Judah. Rehoboam sent Adoniram (in charge of forced labor), but Israel stoned him to death, and Rehoboam fled to Jerusalem.

Rehoboam then got 180,000 troops to fight and reunite the kingdom, but God sent the prophet Shemaiah to tell them not to fight their relatives. They obeyed and went home.

Jeroboam  set up two golden calves, one in Bethel and one in Dan, telling the people, “Here are your gods, Israel, who brought you up out of Egypt.” He built shrines on high places and appointed priests who were not Levites.

Questions

What were the ‘hard questions’ the Queen of Sheba asked Solomon?

Who was the Queen of Sheba?

Why did Solomon need baboons/peacocks every 3 years?

Where is the Book of the Acts of Solomon?

Application

Success without faithfulness can end in ruin. We should always guard our heart in what we admire or lift up in our life. Above all, we need to trust God and listen to his wise counsel.