College Press Bible Study Textbook Series
1 Kings 11 - Introduction
CHAPTER NINE
SOLOMON'S TRANSGRESSIONS AND TROUBLES
A long period of peace always proves a serious time of testing for a nation. Because of polygamy, idolatry, excessive taxation and neglect of the prophetic order, the kingdom of Solomon gradually deteriorated. Chapter 11 focuses on the royal transgressions and subsequent troubles which befell the nation. The chapter falls into three main divisions. First, the author describes the apostasy of King Solomon in the later years of his reign (1 Kings 11:1-13). Then he deals with the troubles which came upon Solomon as a consequence of his apostasy (1 Kings 11:14-40). The chapter concludes with a summary statement concerning the reign of Solomon (1 Kings 11:41-43).
REVIEW OF CHAPTER NINE
I. FACTS TO MASTER
A. Identify the following:
1. Ahijah
5. Shishak
9. Rezon
2. Tahpenes
6. Rehoboam
10. Chemosh
3. Genubath
7. Jeroboam
11. Milcom
4. Ashtoreth
8. Hadad
B. Relate the importance of the following places in chapter 11:
1. Millo
4. Midian
7. Edom
2. Damascus
5. Zeredah
3. Par an
6. Shiloh
C. Other facts to know:
1. The number of Solomon's wives and concubines
2. The names of the pagan gods to whom Solomon was inclined
3. The names and locations of Solomon's adversaries
4. The length of Solomon's reign
II. QUESTIONS TO PONDER
1.
Is it right for us, in the absence of prophecy, to interpret national disasters as being due to specific acts of national apostasy?
2.
Why did God permit Solomon, and David for that matter, to multiply wives? cf. 2 Samuel 12:8; Matthew 19:8; Deuteronomy 17:17. Did Solomon have before him any tragic examples of the negative effects of polygamy? See Genesis 16:1-6; Genesis 30:16; Genesis 34:30; Genesis 35:21.
3.
How did the Lord speak to Solomon in 1 Kings 11:11-13?
4.
What element of divine grace is found in the threats made to Solomon? 1 Kings 11:11-13; 1 Kings 11:34-36.
5.
When did Hadad and Rezon become Solomon's adversaries? Why are these accounts placed at the conclusion of the history of Solomon?
6.
What are the indications that Hadad was graciously received in Egypt? Why this treatment from Pharaoh?
7.
Did Ahijah's message to Jeroboam precipitate the abortive rebellion against Solomon?
8.
What can one deduce from this chapter about the leadership potential of Jeroboam?
9.
What is the one tribe that Ahijah declared would remain with the house of David?
10.
What is the problem as regards the tribe of Simeon in the tribal divisions mentioned by Ahijah?
11.
What were the conditions in the divine promise made to Jeroboam?
12.
Compare and contrast the lives of David and his son Solomon.
13.
At what times during his reign did Solomon receive divine communication?
14.
On what other occasions in the history of Israel did the tribe of Ephraim create dissension among the tribes of Israel? See Joshua 17:14; Judges 8:1; Judges 12:1.
SYNOPSIS OF PART TWO - THE SISTER KINGDOMS
1 Kings 12 - 2 Kings 17
NINETEEN KINGS OF ISRAEL
TWELVE KINGS OF JUDAH
931-722 B.C.
210 YEARS
Hostility
Harmony
Humiliation
Heyday
Homage
931-885 B.C.
885-841 B.C.
841-790 B.C.
790-750 B.C.
750-722 B.C.
Conflicts between the two kingdoms
Cooperation between the two kingdoms
Political low ebb
Political high tide
Decline and subjugation
Kings
Kings
Kings
Kings
Kings
I
I
I
I
I
Jeroboam
Omri
Jehu
Jeroboam
Menahem
Nadab
Ahab
Jehoahaz
Zechariah
Pekahiah
Baasha
Ahaziah
Jehoash
Shallum
Pekah
Elah
Jehoram
J
J
Hoshea
Zimri
J
(Athafiah)
Uzziah
J
J
Jehoshaphat
Joash
Jotham
Rehoboam
Jehoram
Amaziah
Ahaz
Abijam
Ahaziah
Hezekiah
Asa
2 Kings 14:21 to 2 Kings 15:15
2 Kings 15:16 to 2 Kings 17:41
Chapter s
Chapter s
Chapter s
Chapter
Chapter
Ten-Twelve
Twelve-Eighteen
Nineteen-Twenty
Twenty-one
Twenty-two
Entrance to a Vineyard
Drawing by Horace Knowles from the British and Foreign Bible Society