1 Kings 10 - 12 ... Changes are Imminent

We saw, prior to chapter 9, that King Solomon had accepted the daughter of Pharoah of Egypt as a wife.  This practice, according to my commentary, was common among leaders of countries but not endorsed by God.

It took 20 years for both the temple and Solomon's palace with housing for his wives and concubines to be built.

Chapter 10 emphasizes King Solomon's fame, growing wealth and wisdom became well known.  Kings and kingdoms were represented in visiting and joining the throng of those in awe and admiration, it seems.  The Queen of the country of Sheba (now Yemen) visited, bringing what amounted to 4 1/2 tons of gold, as well as quantities of spices and precious stones as gifts.  Before departing, as a partial quote, she said, "Indeed, not even half was told me; in wisdom and wealth you have far exceeded the report I heard  How happy your men must be... Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel..."


Chapter 11 begins with these words:  "King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides the Pharoah's daughter --- Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidnians, and Hittites.  They were from nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, "You must never intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods"  Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love.  He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray.  As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been.... so Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD."

Solomon built temples for the gods of his wives, so they could worship.  He joined them.

The LORD again spoke to Solomon:  "Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I wil most certainly tear the kidgom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates.  Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime.  I will tear it out of the hand of your son.  Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him, but will give him one tribe for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen."

Through the prophet Ahijah, Jeroboam (appointed by Solomon as being in charge of the whole labor force of Joseph) was given the "heads up" as to the state of the union.  Jeroboam was told he would be leader of all of Israel except one clan... if he would follow the LORD's will and ways and do what is right."  etc.

Chapter 12 describes the events following Solomon's death where son Rehoboam is approached by the people who had been conscripted to harsh labor ... asking for an easier time of it.

Rehoboam rejected the advice of the elders and instead took that given by his peers, threatening to increase the harshness of the labor and to [qwityerbellyachin].

When the dust settled, Rehoboam was left with the tribe of Judah in Jerusalem and Jeroboam was in charge of the others.  Jealousy and fear probably drove Jeroboam to create two golden idols and shrines "in the high places" of Bethel and Dan for the people's worship and offerings.  He reasoned given these sites, they would not eventually venture back to the temple of Jerusalem.  He, himself, made offerings there as well.

Without reading ahead, I'm going to presume you might be able to predict the outcome of these actions.

Thank you for reading with me!
SG