The Rise, Fall, and Division: Lessons from Solomon's Reign

Welcome to Day 90 of The Glory Team Bible Reading plan and we are continuing the book of 1 Kings. In 1 Kings 10-12, we witness the splendor and wisdom of King Solomon, followed by his spiritual downfall and the division of the kingdom. Chapter 10 highlights Solomon's immense wealth and the visit of the Queen of Sheba, who admires his God-given wisdom. Chapter 11 takes a darker turn, revealing Solomon's disobedience as he turns to idolatry through his foreign wives. This results in God’s judgment, promising the division of the kingdom. Chapter 12 depicts the fulfillment of this prophecy as Solomon's son, Rehoboam, rejects wise counsel, leading to a rebellion that splits Israel into two kingdoms. These chapters serve as a powerful reminder of the consequences of pride, disobedience, and rejecting godly wisdom.

1 Kings 10: 1 Kings 10 showcases Solomon’s extraordinary wealth and wisdom. The Queen of Sheba visits Jerusalem, intrigued by the king's reputation. She tests Solomon with challenging questions and is left in awe of his knowledge and the grandeur of his court. Solomon’s success is attributed to God’s favor, bringing international acclaim. The chapter also details Solomon’s immense riches, including a fleet of ships and vast amounts of gold. However, the growing focus on material wealth hints at potential spiritual decline. This chapter reminds readers that wisdom and prosperity should lead to glorifying God, not self-exaltation.

1 Kings 11: Chapter 11 marks a tragic turn in Solomon’s story. Despite his wisdom, Solomon’s heart turns away from God as he marries numerous foreign wives who introduce pagan worship into Israel. God had explicitly warned against such alliances, but Solomon disregards this command. As a result, God pronounces judgment, declaring that the kingdom will be torn away from Solomon’s lineage, leaving only one tribe for his son’s rule. The chapter also introduces adversaries like Hadad and Rezon, foreshadowing the kingdom’s instability. This chapter serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of compromising faith for worldly desires.

1 Kings 12: 1 Kings 12 describes the division of the kingdom after Solomon’s death. His son Rehoboam inherits the throne, but his harsh leadership and rejection of wise counsel lead to rebellion. Jeroboam, a former servant of Solomon, rises as the leader of the northern tribes, establishing the kingdom of Israel. Fearful of losing power, Jeroboam sets up golden calves for worship, plunging the people into idolatry. The chapter underscores the destructive consequences of pride, poor leadership, and rejecting God’s guidance. It also highlights the need for humility and discernment in decision-making, pointing to the importance of seeking God’s wisdom above all.

Origin & Meaning of the Name:

The book of 1 Kings derives its name from its content, as it records the reigns of the kings of Israel and Judah. The title originates from the Hebrew name "Melekhim" meaning "Kings." In the Septuagint (LXX), the Greek translation of the Old Testament, it was included as part of the larger "Books of the Kingdoms" (Βασιλειῶν), later divided into 1 & 2 Kings.

Purpose of the Book:

1 Kings serves to document the history of Israel’s monarchy, beginning with Solomon's reign and leading to the division of the kingdom into Israel (Northern Kingdom) and Judah (Southern Kingdom). The book emphasizes how the kings' faithfulness—or lack thereof—to God's covenant determined the nation's prosperity or downfall. It highlights God's sovereignty over history, the consequences of disobedience, and the role of prophets in guiding and warning the people.

Authorship & Sources Supporting the Author:

Jewish tradition attributes the authorship of 1 Kings to the prophet Jeremiah, though there is no explicit biblical confirmation of this. The Talmud (Baba Bathra 15a) suggests that Jeremiah compiled Kings based on prophetic records and royal chronicles. Some scholars argue that it was written by an anonymous compiler, often referred to as the Deuteronomist, who drew from earlier sources such as:

The Book of the Acts of Solomon (1 Kings 11:41)
The Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Israel (1 Kings 14:19)
The Book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah (1 Kings 14:29)

Outside the Bible, ancient historians such as Flavius Josephus (Antiquities of the Jews, Book 8) acknowledge that Jewish records documented the events of Kings, reinforcing its historical credibility.

Key People:

Solomon – Son of David and Bathsheba, known for his wisdom, the building of the temple, and his eventual downfall due to idolatry.
Rehoboam – Solomon’s son, whose harsh leadership led to the division of the kingdom.
Jeroboam – The first king of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, who established idol worship in Bethel and Dan.
Elijah – A major prophet who confronted Ahab and the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel.
Ahab – A wicked king of Israel, married to Jezebel, and infamous for promoting Baal worship.
Jezebel – A Phoenician princess and wife of Ahab who persecuted God’s prophets.
Asa and Jehoshaphat – Kings of Judah known for their faithfulness to God compared to Israel’s kings.

Conclusion

1 Kings sets the stage for the spiritual decline of Israel, leading to its eventual exile, while also reminding readers of God's enduring faithfulness despite human failure.

What is God's Name in these Chapters?

In this portion of our journey we want to dive deep into the character of God described in His name. By identifying who God is, we can further relate to Him personally and build a stronger relationship and connection with Our Father.

Names are important. They give significance to places, people, and things. We identify with so much based off what it's name is. This is considerably notable when it comes to the names of God.

"Jehovah" is considered a Latinized version of the Hebrew name "Yahweh" (represented by the consonants YHWH) where the vowels of the Hebrew word "Adonai" (meaning "my Lord") were added to the Tetragrammaton (YHWH) when pronounced by Jewish readers who avoided saying the sacred name directly; essentially, Christian scholars combined the consonants of YHWH with the vowels of Adonai to create the pronunciation "Jehovah" in the Latin alphabet.

Looking for the Names of God from the previous chapters? Due to the overwhelming amount of names we had to dedicate a special place for them for the sake of space. Click the link to see them:

REVIEW GOD'S NAMES FROM PREVIOUS CHAPTERS

In 1 Kings 10, the Hebrew name of God Yahweh is emphasized, representing His covenantal relationship with Israel. The chapter describes the Queen of Sheba’s visit, where Solomon's wisdom and the splendor of his kingdom are evident. Through this, God’s character as the source of all wisdom and blessing is showcased. His provision to Solomon reflects His faithfulness to His promises and the honor that comes from obedience.

The lesson God teaches in this chapter is the importance of recognizing Him as the giver of all blessings. While Solomon’s wisdom and wealth were extraordinary, the Queen of Sheba praised God as the source of his success. This acknowledgment reminds believers to attribute their achievements to God’s grace and to live in a manner that glorifies Him.

While the chapter does not explicitly mention a specific Hebrew name of God, His presence as Elohim, the supreme and powerful God, is evident. The lesson from this chapter is that obedience to God’s commands brings stability and blessings, while disobedience results in judgment. Upholding justice is a reflection of God’s righteous nature.

In 1 Kings 11, the name Elohim is used, emphasizing God’s power and authority. Despite Solomon’s wisdom, he turned away from God by worshiping foreign gods. Elohim’s righteous judgment is displayed as He raises adversaries against Solomon, demonstrating that even the most blessed leaders are accountable to Him.

The lesson God teaches is the danger of divided loyalty. Solomon’s heart was led astray through his alliances and idolatry. God calls His people to wholehearted devotion. This chapter warns against compromising faith and highlights the consequences of unfaithfulness while affirming God’s justice and desire for repentance.

In 1 Kings 12, Yahweh is again central, illustrating God’s sovereignty and control over the unfolding events. Despite the rebellion of the people and the division of the kingdom, Yahweh’s purposes prevail. His use of Rehoboam’s pride and Jeroboam’s ambition demonstrates His authority over nations and leaders.

The lesson God teaches is the significance of humility and seeking His guidance. Rehoboam’s rejection of wise counsel and Jeroboam’s establishment of idol worship show the destructive results of self-reliance. Yet, even in judgment, God’s hand is evident, reminding believers of the need to trust and obey Him, knowing that His plans are ultimately for His glory and the good of His people.

Christ in Every Book of the Bible

Christ is the theme throughout the Bible. From Genesis to Revelation, God reveals His Son, Jesus Christ.

Christ is the Seed of the woman Genesis 3:14 , He is the Passover Lamb Exodus 12:3, The Atoning Sacrifice Leviticus 17:11, The Smitten Rock Numbers 20:8, 11, The Faithful Prophet Deuteronomy 18:18, Christ is the Captain of the Lord's Host Joshua 5:15, The Divine Deliverer Judges 2:18, The Kinsman Redeemer Ruth 3:12, Christ is the anticipated as the Anointed One,1 Samuel 2:10, The Son of David 2 Samuel 7:14, The Coming King 1 & 2 Kings, Builder of the Temple 1 & 2 Chronicles (1 Chronicles 28:20), Ezra represents Christ as the Restorer of the Nation Ezra 6:14, 15, Nehemiah shows Him as the Restorer of the Temple Nehemiah 6:15, and Esther portrays Him as the Preserver of the Nation Ester 4:14, Christ is seen as the Living Redeemer Job 19:25, The Praise of Israel Psalm 150:6, The Wisdom of God Proverbs 8:22, 23, The Great Teacher Ecclesiastics 12:11, The Fairest of Ten Thousand Song of Solomon 5:10. Christ is the Suffering Servant Isaiah 53:11, The Maker of the New Covenant Jeremiah 31:31, The Man of Sorrows Lamentations 3:28-30, The Glory of God Ezekiel 43:2, The coming Messiah Daniel 9:25, The Lover of the Unfaithful Hosea 3:1, The Hope of Israel Joel 3:16, The Husbandman Amos 9:13, the Savior Obadiah 21, the Resurrected One Jonah 2:10, the Ruler in Israel Micah 5:2, the Avenger Nahum 2:1, the Holy God Habakkuk 1:13, the King of Israel Zephaniah 3:15, the Desire of Nations Haggai 2:7, the Righteous Branch Zechariah 3:8, and the Sun of Righteousness Malachi 4:2.

The King of the Jews Matthew 2:2, the Servant of the Lord Mark 10:45, the Son of Man Luke 19:10, and the Son of God John 1:1. Christ is the Ascended Lord Acts 1:10, the believer's Righteousness Romans 1:17, Sanctification 1 Corinthians 1:30, Sufficiency 2 Corinthians 12:9, and Liberty Galatians 2:4. He is the Exalted Head of the church Ephesians 1:22, the Christian's Joy Philippians 1:26, and the Fullness of Deity Colossians 2:9. In the Thessalonian epistles Christ is the believer's Comfort 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17 and Glory 2 Thessalonians 1:12. The Christian's Preserver 1 Timothy 4:10, Rewarder 2 Timothy 4:8, Blessed Hope Titus 2:13, and Substitute Philemon 17. He is the High Priest Hebrews 4:15, the Giver of Wisdom James 1:5, the Rock 1 Peter 2:6, and Precious Promise 2 Peter 1:4. John represents Christ as the Life 1 John, the Truth 2 John, and the Way 3 John, Jude portrays Christ as the Advocate and Revelation shows Him as King of Kings and Lord of Lords Revelation 19:16. The whole Bible is literally all about Christ!

Questions:

Let's expand how these chapters expanded your faith and your relationship with God.

Questions About God's Character:

How does Solomon’s wealth and wisdom in 1 Kings 10 reflect God’s provision and generosity?
What aspects of God’s sovereignty are evident in the way He blesses Solomon’s reign?
How does the Queen of Sheba’s recognition of God’s role in Solomon’s success reveal God’s universal authority?
In 1 Kings 11, how does God’s response to Solomon’s disobedience demonstrate both His justice and mercy?
What do God’s warnings and prophecies through the prophets reveal about His desire for repentance and restoration?
How does God’s patience with Solomon reflect His long-suffering character?
In 1 Kings 12, how is God’s ultimate control over the division of the kingdom evident, even in the midst of human rebellion?

Questions About Themes:

How is the theme of wisdom versus folly demonstrated through Solomon’s decisions in these chapters?
What role does idolatry play in the downfall of Solomon, and how is this connected to the theme of faithfulness to God?
How does the theme of leadership responsibility emerge in Rehoboam’s harsh decisions?
In what ways does the Queen of Sheba’s visit emphasize the theme of God’s glory being revealed to the nations?
How does the division of the kingdom in 1 Kings 12 illustrate the consequences of rejecting God’s guidance?
What is the significance of prophetic voices, like Ahijah, in upholding God’s covenant and delivering His messages?
How does the contrast between Solomon’s early obedience and later disobedience emphasize the theme of spiritual compromise?

Reflective Application Questions:

In what areas of your life do you see God’s blessings, and how can you ensure you remain faithful in those seasons of abundance?
How can Solomon’s downfall serve as a warning to guard your heart against idols or distractions?
Are there decisions you are currently facing where you need to seek God’s wisdom rather than relying on your own understanding?
When you experience correction from God or others, how can you respond in humility rather than pride?
How can you be intentional about using your gifts, resources, and influence to glorify God and bless others?
What lessons can you apply from the division of the kingdom about the importance of seeking wise counsel in leadership and personal decisions?
In moments of failure or spiritual compromise, how can you turn back to God in repentance and restoration?

These questions can help deepen understanding of the themes of these chapters, while encouraging trust in God's sovereignty, justice, faithfulness, and timing. We hope thoughts to these questions invite you to reflect on your own journeys, grow in faith, and understand more about God's nature.

Reference Guides:

Life Application Study Guide

A Popular Survey of the Old Testament by Norman L. Geisler

The Power of God's Names by Tony Evans