A Kingdom Torn

Chapter 11 marks the turning point of Solomon's reign. The king who prayed for an understanding heart allowed his heart to be turned. He loved many foreign women from nations about whom God had said, You shall not go among them. When he was old, his wives turned his heart after other gods. He built high places for Chemosh and Molech, and his heart was not perfect with Yahweh as David's was.

God's anger was just. He had appeared to Solomon twice and warned him clearly. Judgment would come: the kingdom would be torn away and given to a servant. Yet grace stood beside judgment. For David's sake, the tearing would wait until after Solomon's death, and one tribe would remain for his son, for the sake of Jerusalem, the city God had chosen.

God raised up adversaries, Hadad the Edomite and Rezon of Damascus. Jeroboam son of Nebat, a capable officer, was met by the prophet Ahijah. Ahijah tore his new garment into twelve pieces as an acted prophecy and gave Jeroboam ten. God promised Jeroboam a sure house if he would keep God's statutes as David did. God added that He would afflict David's offspring, but not forever. Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam, who fled to Egypt. After forty years, Solomon slept with his fathers. In the New Testament, Jesus warns that no one can serve two masters (Matthew 6:24).