Comments on 1 Kings 11 v1-2 Solomon gets involved with all kinds of worldly women, cf. Deut. 17:17. This is a simple case of the sons of God taking wives of the daughters of men, and being corrupted by it. This practice is prohibited repeatedly, cf. Gen. 6:1-3, Gen. 24:3, Ex. 34:16, Deut. 7:3-4, Josh. 23:12, Judges 3:6, Malachi 2:11. v3-8 Solomon ends up with 700 wives and 300 concubines. They persuade him to build shrines to their gods and he does so and goes on to worship with them. v9-13 The Lord responds to Solomon's rejection by rejecting him in turn. However, out of respect to promises made to David, the kingdom will be broken up after Solomon's death. v14-25 As a standard covenant curse, the Lord raises up various adversaries to afflict Israel. v26-40 In fulfilment of v. 11-13, the prophet Ahijah informs Jeroboam, one of Solomon's leaders, that he will be the next king over 10 tribes of Israel, thereby setting the stage for the division of the 12 tribes into the Northen 10 of Israel and the Southern 2 of Judah. Solomon hears about the pronouncement and tries to have Jeroboam killed, but he flees to safety in Egypt for the time being (v. 40). v41-43 Solomon's death is recounted. With his death comes the division of Israel in the following chapters. Copyright © 2002 by S. Kurt Neumiller . All rights reserved. No part of this text may be reproduced in any form or by any means for commercial gain without the express written consent of the author. Digital or printed copies may be freely made and distributed for personal and public non-commercial use.