1Solomon's multitude of wives and concubines, who in his old age seduce him to idolatry. 9God threateneth to rend the greater part of the kingdom from his family. 14Solomon findeth an adversary in Hadad the Edomite, who had been entertained in Egypt; 23and in Rezon, who reigned in Damascus; 26and in Jeroboam, to whom Ahijah had prophesied the kingdom should be translated. 41Solomon's acts, reign, and death: Rehoboam succeedeth him.
1BUT 1king Solomon loved manya2strange women, 3together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;
1 Namely, according to the opinion of some, after that he had reigned five or six and twenty years. These years are counted thus: three years before the building of the temple; seven years bestowed in the building thereof; thirteen years in the building of his own house, and other establishments; lastly, two or three years more, wherein the Queen of Sheba visited him.
a Deut. 17:17.
2 Or, foreign.
3 Or, beside; such is the same Hebrew word taken in verse 25.
2Of the nations concerning which the LORD 4said unto the children of Israel, Yeb shall 5not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.
4 See Exod. 34:16; Deut. 7:3, 4.
b Exod. 34:16; Deut. 7:3.
5 That is, unite yourself with them by marriages. See Gen. 6 on verse 4.
3And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred 6concubines: and his wives 7turned away his heart.
6 Who were of lower status than the wives, and held in less esteem. See Gen. 22 on verse 24.
7 Namely, to depart from the true God, and to cleave unto idols, as the following words declare.
4For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not 8perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.
8 See 1 Kings 8 on verse 61.
5For Solomon 9wentc after 10Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after 11Milcom 12the abomination of the Ammonites.
9 To go or walk after idols, is to cleave unto them, and to follow after them, in whole or in part, yea even by permitting and advancing the same; in which last manner Solomon, to please his wives, made himself guilty of this sin. Compare 1 Kings 18:18; 21:25, 26; Jer. 2:23.
c Judges 2:13; 2 Kings 23:13.
10 This is the name of an idol, whether male or female, of the Zidonians. See further thereof, Judges 2:13.
11 An idol called also Molech, verse 7. See of this idol, Lev. 18 on verse 21.
12 That is, which is very loathsome and abominable in the sight of God and to be abhorred of all godly and truly religious persons; also verse 7.
6And Solomon did 13evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not 14fully after the LORD, as did David his father.
13 Understand especially the idolatry and the false religion. Compare herewith, Gen. 38:7.
14 Hebr. fulfilled not after the Lord. See Num. 14 on verse 24.
7Thend did Solomon build an 15high place for 16Chemosh, the abomination 17of Moab, in the 18hill that is before Jerusalem, and for 19Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.
d 2 Kings 23:13.
15 See Lev. 26 on verse 30.
16 The name of an idol of the Moabites and Ammonites, of which see also Num. 21:29; Judges 11:24; Jer. 48:7. This, with the two idols mentioned in verse 5, good king Josiah did take away, 2 Kings 23:13.
17 Who are therefore called the people of Chemosh, Num. 21:29.
18 Namely, the mount of Olives, of which see 2 Sam. 15:30 and is called 2 Kings 23:13 the mount of the corruption or the mount Mashith, because the Jews did there corrupt themselves by idolatry.
19 Called also Milcom, verse 5.
8And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.
9¶And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned 20from the LORD God of Israel, whiche had appeared unto him 21twice,
20 That is, from Him. Compare 1 Kings 8:1 and see the annotation.
e 1 Kings 3:5; 9:2.
21 Namely, the first time at Gibeon, 1 Kings 3:5 and the second time at Jerusalem after the dedication of the temple 1 Kings 9:2.
10Andf had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.
f 1 Kings 6:12.
11Wherefore the LORD 22said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, 23Ig will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to 24thy servant.
22 Either He Himself, or by some prophet, possibly by Nathan, if he were yet alive: or Ahijah, the Shilonite, of whom mention is made in verse 30.
23 Hebr. rending rend, that is, I will surely in a violent manner take away a great part of this kingdom from thee. See of this phrase, verses 12, 13, 31.
g 1 Kings 12:15.
24 That is, to one of your servants, namely, Jeroboam, of whom see verses 26, 27, 28, etc.
12Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it 25for David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy 26son.
25 That is, because of the promise which I have made unto thy father, 2 Sam. 7:13; 1 Chron. 28:5, 6, in which promise the Messiah is likewise promised, for Whose sake God properly doeth good to those that are His.
26 Namely, Rehoboam, also verse 35. See the accomplishment of this threat 1 Kings 12 and 1 Sam. 15:28. The explanation we have in verse 35.
13Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; but will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for 27Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen.
27 That is, it is because of the promise which I have given to the city Jerusalem, 2 Chron. 6:6.
14¶And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king's seed in Edom.
15For ith came to pass, when David was 28in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the 29slain, after he had smitten every male in Edom;
h 2 Sam. 8:14; 1 Chron. 18:12, 13.
28 Waging there war. See 2 Sam. 8:14; 1 Chron. 18:12, 13.
29 Namely, Israelites, who perished in the battle which David had had against the Edomites, or whom he, after his victory over them, had occupied the land of the Edomites to keep them in subjection unto him, but who, after his departure, were slain of the inhabitants.
16(For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom:)
17That Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father's servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad being yet a little child.
18And they arose out of 30Midian, and came to 31Paran: and they took men with them out of Paran, and they came to Egypt, unto Pharaoh king of Egypt; which gave him an house, and appointed him 32victuals, and gave him land.
30 See Gen. 25 on verse 2.
31 See Gen. 14 on verse 6.
32 Hebr. bread, that is, livelihood, victuals, apparel. See Gen. 3 on verse 19.
19And Hadad 33found great favour in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him to wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the 34queen.
33 Hebr. found great kindness, what it is, to find grace or favour in any man’s eyes, see Gen. 18 on verse 3.
34 The Hebrew word signifies properly the chief woman of the household: as if they would say: the mistress. Therefore when mention is made of the king’s house or family, then is therewith to be understood his wife, or mother, the queen, as here and 1 Kings 15:13; 2 Kings 10:13; Jer. 13:18; 29:2.
20And the sister of Tahpenes bare him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes 35weaned 36in Pharaoh’s house: and Genubath was in Pharaoh's household among the sons of Pharaoh.
35 Hebr. treated well.
36 Hebr. in the midst of Pharaoh’s house.
21And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let me depart, that I may go to mine own country.
22Then Pharaoh said unto him, But what hast thou lacked with me, that, behold, thou seekest to go to thine own country? And he answered, Nothing: howbeit 37let me go in any wise.
37 Hebr. letting go let me go.
23¶Andi God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon the son of Eliadah, which 38fled from his lord Hadadezer king of 39Zobah:
i 2 Sam. 8:3; 10:18.
38 Namely, when he perceived that David had the upper hand over Hadadezer in battle; of which see 2 Sam. 8:3.
39 The name of a region in Syria, situated between Damascus and Euphrates. See hereof, 1 Sam. 14:47; 2 Chron. 8:3; Psalm 60 title.
24And he 40gathered 41men unto him, and became captain over a band, whenj David slew 42them of Zobah: and they went to 43Damascus, and dwelt therein, and reigned in Damascus.
40 Namely, unto his lord Hadad-ezer.
41 Understand soldiers who served the king of Zobah, and now were used under the conduct of Rezon, who revolted from his lord, to spoil and plunder his land, and the land round about.
j 2 Sam. 8:3.
42 Namely, the Syrians of Zobah.
43 See of this city Gen. 14 on verse 15. This city Rezon subdued, and drove out thence the garrison, (placed therein by David, to keep the same under him, 2 Sam. 8:6.) and took also the government thereof in his own hands.
25And 44he was an adversary to Israel 45all the days of Solomon, beside the mischief that 46Hadad did: and 47he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria.
44 Namely, Rezon.
45 Namely, when Solomon had departed from the Lord, and was fallen to idolatry. See 1 Kings 5:4.
46 Understand Hadad, who is mentioned in verse 14.
47 Namely, Rezon.
26¶And Jeroboamk the son of Nebat, 48an Ephrathite of 49Zereda, Solomon’s servant, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he 50lifted up his hand against the king.
k 2 Chron. 13:6.
48 That is, an Ephraimite, or who was of the tribe of Ephraim; also Judges 12:5.
49 The name of the city where he was born, situated in the tribe of Ephraim. See Joshua 3 on verse 16.
50 That is, revolted from the king, or caused trouble and moved sedition against the king; also in the following verse and 2 Sam. 20:21, and compare below, verse 40.
27And this was the cause that he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built 51Millo, and repaired 52the breaches of the city of David his father.
51 See 1 Kings 9 on verse 15.
52 Namely, which David had made, when he drove out the Jebusites from there, and conquered the strong hold of Zion. See 2 Sam. 5:6, 7.
2853And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the 54young man that he was 55industrious, he made him ruler 56over all the charge of the house of Joseph.
53 Namely, in the work of building great establishments and strong holds over which Solomon had made him overseer. Two occasions are mentioned in this verse, whereby he became disloyal to his king, instead of being thankful. The first, that he was advanced to the aforesaid office; the second, after that he attained to a higher state and dignity, as the words, mentioned in this verse, declare.
54 This word is also used of men, and especially when they are any man’s servants. See Gen. 22 on verse 5.
55 That is, diligent, industrious, very careful and circumspect, and busy in providing and performing the work, over which he was appointed by the king. Hebr. doing work.
56 Understand the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh.
29And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, that the prophet 57Ahijah the Shilonite 58found him in the way; and he had clad 59himself with a new garment; and they two were alone in the field:
57 He is to be distinguished from another of this same name, that is, from Ahijah the Levite, who was over the treasures of the house of the Lord, 1 Chron. 26:20.
58 That is, met.
59 Hebr. had covered himself with a new garment.
30And Ahijah caught the new garment that was on him, and rent it in twelve pieces:
31And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold,l I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee:
l 1 Sam. 15:28.
32(But he shall have 60one tribe for 61my servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel:)
60 Understand the tribe of Judah, although the tribe of Simeon was in a manner intermixed with it, as also a part of the tribe of Benjamin. Now in the ten tribes Ephraim and Manasseh are counted for two tribes; but the tribe of Levi, having no particular land and being scattered among the other tribes, is not counted at all.
61 See on verses 12, 13.
33Because that they have forsaken me, and have 62worshipped Ashtoreth 63the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not 64walked in my ways, to do 65that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.
62 Namely, to bow down before Ashtoreth.
63 Or, the god.
64To walk in the way of the Lord, is to live according to the rule and prescript of His Word, as the following words declare. See 2 Kings 21:22; Psalm 119:3; 128:1.
65 What is right in the eyes of the Lord, the following words do explain; namely, that which is done according to His holy Word and ordinances, not according to human traditions; also 1 Kings 15:5, 11; 22:43.
34Howbeit I will 66not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant's sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes:
66 Hebr. And I will not take this whole kingdom out of his hand, that is, nothing thereof. This phrase, signifying not a special or particular, but a general or universal abnegation and denial, is very frequent in Holy Scripture; as Gen. 23:6; Joshua 11:14; Psalm 143:2; Mat. 24:22; Rom. 3:20. See also Gen. 39 on verse 23.
35But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand, and 67will give it unto thee, even ten tribes.
67 Hebr. and I will give that unto thee, to wit ten tribes.
36And unto his son 68will I give one tribe, thatm David my servant may have a 69light 70alway before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put 71my name there.
68 See on verse 32.
m 1 Kings 15:4; Psalm 132:17.
69 Or, lamp, or, candle, that is, successors in the kingdom; being types of the Lord Christ. Such is this word also taken, 2 Sam. 21:17. See likewise 1 Kings 15:4; 2 Chron. 21:7; Psalm 132:17.
70 Hebr. all days. Understand in the tribe of Judah, until the coming of the Messiah; for, from David unto the Babylonian captivity did the royal government continue in Judah; after that the princely power and the Sanhedrim up until Christ, Whose Kingdom is everlasting.
71 See 1 Kings 8 on verse 16.
37And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign 72according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king 73over Israel.
72 That is, as a sovereign prince over a great, mighty and blessed land; as these things are commonly desired of kings.
73 That is, over the greater part of the people.
38And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do that is right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be 74with thee, and build 75thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel unto thee.
74 See Gen. 21 on verse 22; Gen. 26 on verse 24.
75 That is, to establish thy kingdom as such, that it shall continue with thy posterity. Compare 1 Sam. 2:35; 2 Sam. 7:16.
39And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but 76not for ever.
76 Hebr. not at all days; for, the Messiah, Who was to come forth out of the seed of David according to the flesh and to succeed in the kingdom in a spiritual manner, would not only bear rule over all the tribes of Israel, but also over the entire world.
40Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.
41¶And then rest of the 77acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written 78in the book of the acts of Solomon?
n 2 Chron. 9:29.
77 Hebr. words.
78 Hereby is not to be understood the two books of the Chronicles, which long after that were first written, as is perceived, by Ezra, but another book, wherein the acts and passages of Solomon are related at large, which is not to be had.
42And 79the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel waso forty years.
79 Hebr. the days.
o 2 Chron. 9:30.
43And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and 80Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.
80 Called in Mat. 1:7 Roboam.