Bible Chapter Summary
1 Kings 11 Summary
Solomon's Wives Turn His Heart Away
King Solomon loves many strange women from forbidden nations and accumulates seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines, whose influence turns his heart away from the Lord toward idolatry. The Lord, angry that Solomon has forsaken His covenant despite two divine appearances, declares He will rend the kingdom from Solomon's hand and give it to his servant, though He preserves one tribe for David's sake. God stirs up three adversaries against Solomon: Hadad the Edomite, Rezon who takes Damascus, and Jeroboam, to whom the prophet Ahijah prophesies that ten tribes will be given; Solomon seeks to kill Jeroboam, who flees to Egypt.
Key themes
Key verses
1 Kings 11:4
“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.”
1 Kings 11:9-10
“And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,”
1 Kings 11:11
“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.”
1 Kings 11:31
“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:”
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