The Nation of Israel Divides (1 Kings 12 & 2 Chronicles 10)

Rehoboam was Solomon’s son who was crowned king of Israel (vs. 1). When he was approached by the people of Israel concerning their workload he turned to the elders for their advice. They recommended that Rehoboam be kind and show mercy to the people of Israel so that they would be his servants forever (vs. 7). He ignored the advice of the elders and listened to the foolish advice of the young men he grew up with, which was to increase the workload of the people, he was harsh with his people and did not listen to them (vs. 11, 13-14, 16).

The people of Israel cried out in hopelessness (vs. 16), this was quite different from 1 Kings 8:66 where they all went to their tents joyfully. They stoned Adoram who was over the forced laborers so Rehoboam fled to Jerusalem (vs. 18).

Jeroboam, Solomon’s servant from chapter 11, heard that Solomon died (vs. 2). The people of Israel called for him to return from Egypt (vs. 3). Upon his return he was made king over 10 tribes of Israel (vs. 19) Rehoboam was king of only Judah and Benjamin (vs. 19-20). Ahijah’s prophesy from 1 Kings 11:29-39 was fulfilled: that the kingdom would be torn out of Solomon’s hands and 10 tribes given to Jeroboam (vs. 15). At this is the point, Israel became a divided nation of 2 kingdoms:

1. Israel or the Northern Kingdom included the 10 tribes given to Jeroboam
2. Judah, the House of David or the Southern Kingdom included the tribe of Judah and the tribe of Benjamin. This was the linage of David to Solomon to Rehoboam

Rehoboam planned to attack the remaining 10 tribes led by Jeroboam but did not after the Lord sent word not to kill their relatives (vs. 24).

At the same time, Jeroboam’s heart filled with fear of his nation returning to be united with Judah (vs. 26-27) so he created worship that kept his people out of Jerusalem, worship of idols. He made 2 golden calves and told Israel to behold the gods that brought them out of Egypt (vs. 28) similar to what Aaron had done in Ex. 32:4,8. He made houses on high places and confirmed priests of those high places (vs. 31). He also instituted a feast on the 15th day of the 8th month where they sacrificed to the calves. A similar feast to the one the Lord established on the 15th day of the 7th month, the Feast of Tents or the Feast of the Tabernacle (vs. 32-33). All of these things were somewhat similar to the religious traditions of Israel but totally different as they were not focused on God.  As a result those who did not truly know God for themselves they were easily led astray.

Question to Ponder:  We must walk carefully and faithfully with God. Just because he blesses us does not mean that we can then venture out on our own. We should be cautious of whom we turn to for counsel; because of whom Rehoboam followed the kingdom of Israel revolted and divided. Godly wisdom, knowledge and discretion are so needed in the body of Christ today. Many believers are running to men when they should be running to the Word of God and simply obeying what He says. When you are in need of advice, where do you run?

The Turning of Solomon’s Heart (1 Kings 11)

Solomon loved many foreign women although it was strictly forbidden by God. God warned that associating with them would turn away a believer’s heart and that is what happened to Solomon. He had 700 wives and princesses as well as 300 concubines (1000 total WOMEN) who turned his heart away from God (vs. 1-3). Solomon turned FROM God TO idols and gods, this was evil in the eyes of the Lord (vs. 7) and the very thing God had warned Solomon about in the conditional promise (refer to 1 Kings 2:3, 3:14, 6:12, 8:24,61 and 9:4).

The gods Solomon followed:

• Ashtoreth, the pagan goddess of the Sidonians or Canaanites. She was the goddess of fertility, love and war, who later became the wife of Baal. (vs. 5)
• Milcom, a detestable idol of Ammonites whose name meant “king”; Solomon built him sanctuaries on the Mount of Olives (vs. 5). [Remember this is where the Temple was built, so Solomon built sanctuaries of a false king where he also built a Temple to worship the true King]
• Chemosh, god of Moab whose name meant to “subdue”; Solomon built him a high place on a mountain east of Jerusalem (vs. 7)
• Molech, detestable pagan god of Ammon who was known for human sacrifices, particularly children. (vs. 7)

God had appeared to Solomon two times each time warning him to be obedient and follow God’s Ways and God’s commands. When Solomon turned from God and worshiped idols and false gods, God became angry with Solomon (vs. 9-10). God told Solomon that because of Solomon’s sin, He would tear the kingdom from Solomon’s son and give it to Solomon’s servant (vs. 11-12).

God raised 3 men who were enemies of Israel:

1. Hadad fled Edom for Egypt when Joab, David’s commander, struck down all males in Edom (vs. 15). He found great favor with Pharaoh and married Pharaoh’s sister-in-law (vs. 19). When Haddad heard David & Joab had died he returned to Edom.
2. Rezon was from Zoab; he fled to and reigned in Damascus. He hated Israel because of David (vs. 24-25)
3. Jeroboam was a servant of Solomon. He was identified as an industrious man who was appointed over the forced labor of the house of Joseph. Ahijah the Prophet told Jeroboam that God would give him 10 of the tribes of Israel (vs. 31) because they had forsaken God and worshiped idols and gods (vs. 33). Ahijah said that Solomon’s son would pay for Solomon’s sins; however, because of God’s promise to forever have His name in Jerusalem, Solomon’s son would be given 1 tribe, the tribe of Judah (vs. 35-36). Jeroboam was also offered the promise once given to David and Solomon, that IF he walked in God’s ways and kept His commands, then God would always be with him and build him an enduring house as He did for David (vs. 38-39). When Solomon heard this he sought Jeroboam to put him to death, but Jeroboam fled to Egypt.

Solomon died after reigning over Israel for 40 years (vs. 42-43)

Question to Ponder: God is concerned with the state of our heart. He is a covenant keeping God; he had a covenant with David that he kept regardless of the state of Israel. He then kept the conditional promise he made to Solomon regarding Solomon walking in God’s ways as well as the promise he made to Solomon to keep His name in Jerusalem. Examine your heart; is it completely and fully devoted to God? Are there any areas that need to be cleansed, if so go to the Lord whole heartedly He is faithful and merciful.

How Importanant is the State of the Heart (1 Kings 2-11)

A Bible teacher of mine once said "The New [Testament] is CONTAINED in the Old [Testament] and the Old is PROCLAIMED in the New".  And how true that is!!  So often the state of he heart is assumed to the the focus of the New Testament and the Law the focus of the Old; however, we see the heart mentioned 34 times in 1 Kings.  Below is a review of what we have studied in chapters 2 through 11.

•  The first time the heart is mentioned, it is in the conditional promise God made David about the future of the kingdom if they walk with an upright heart 1 Kings 2:4
• The first reference to an evil heart was Shimei's.  This was the man David warned Solomon about who Solomon ended up killing 1 Kings 2:44
• David had a righteous and upright heart 1 Kings 3:6
• When Solomon prayed for wisdom in was in the context of an understanding heart 1 Kings 3:9; God answered that prayer again referencing Solomon’s heart later in vs. 12. This gift from God was again noted in 1 Kings 4:29
• It was David’s heart’s desire to build the Lord a house 1 Kings 8:17, 18,
• Solomon stated how all were to walk, before the Lord with all their heart 1 Kings 8:23
• In content of praying for future famines and pestilence in the land, Solomon prayed for the condition of Israel’s heart, specifically he prayed for the “affliction” or the plague of Israel’s heart in 1 Kings 8:38,39
• When sinning they were to turn to God with all of their heart 1 Kings 8:48
• Israel’s heart was to be inclined and fully devoted to the Lord 1 Kings 8:57, 61
• After the feast of the Tabernacle/Tents, the people returned to their tent with joy in their heart 1 Kings 8:66
• God heard Solomon’s prayer from chapter 8 and promised to have God's heart forever in the Temple Solomon built 1 Kings 9:3
• We again see the conditional promise of walking with an upright heart from 1 Kings 2:4 also in 1 Kings 9:4
• Solomon’s wise heart is described in 1 Kings 10:24 but notice the contract the next time Solomon’s heart is mentioned.
• Solomon's heart was turned away from God and toward other gods in 1 Kings 11:3-4.  This was the turning point in Solomon’s life and in the life of the nation of Israel.

God gave Israel the Law in the Old Testament; however, we see here in 1 Kings the importance of the heart and a beautiful foundation for what is ahead in the New Testament.  One of Jesus' core messages in the Sermon on the Mount is the state of the heart…if you have anger in your heart you have committed murder (Mt. 5:22) if you have lust in your heart you have committed adultery (Mt. 5:28). In light of this I encourage you to examine the state of your heart.

Solomon's Wisdom & Riches Confirmed by the Queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10 & 2 Chron.9)

Solomon was visited by Queen of Sheba, she had heard about Solomon’s fame and wisdom so she came with difficult questions to test him (vs. 1-10, 13). She affirmed the reports were true and Solomon’s wisdom and prosperity was actually two times what she was told (vs. 6-7). She gave Solomon 20 talents of gold, the greatest amount of spice every given and precious stones (vs. 10) and in return she received from Solomon all she requested (vs. 13)

Solomon’s riches and prosperity are articulated. King Hiram’s ships brought Solomon gold from Ophir as well as almug trees that were made into harps & lyres (vs. 11-12).

• With the 666 talents of gold with it he made shields (vs. 16-17) and cups (vs. 21). He also built a great throne (vs. 18-20)
• Silver lost its worth because there was so much of it (vs. 21-27); however, it was the very metal that was the price of Jesus’ life in Mt. 27:9
• Solomon was known for his fleet of chariots and horses (vs. 26-28)

We previously saw this display of Solomon’s riches, in chapter 4 we studied about the size of his land (vs. 1-21) and his provisions (vs. 22-28). Again the state of Solomon’s heart is described as wise in vs. 24

Question to Ponder: God’s keeps His promises; His promise to Solomon from 1 Kings 3:12 was fulfilled in vs. 23. Solomon’s riches both in his heart and his kingdom are described for all to see. Solomon had more wealth and riches than any man before or since. In Matthew 6 Jesus said that where one’s treasure is, there his heart is too. Focusing on riches can divide one’s heart—God is to have one’s whole heart. Does He have your whole heart?

God's 2nd Appearance to Solomon (1 Kings 9 & 2 Chron. 7:11-8:18)

There is about a 12 year gap between Solomon’s prayer in chapter 8 and the Lord’s 2nd appearance to Solomon (1 Kings 9: 1-10). After 12 years, God acknowledged He had heard Solomon’s prayer and supplication and consecrated the Temple Solomon had built. Find comfort here that God hears your prayers and just because you do not get an immediate answer does not mean that He has not heard.

God then restated the conditional promise to keep a king on the throne of Israel forever IF Solomon walked in God’s ways and kept His commands and statues(vs. 4-5). This is an important conditional promise; we have seen multiple times in 1st Kings. God then contrasted that promise with a warning of what would happen if they did not follow His ways and followed other gods instead. He told Solomon He would cut off Israel, they would be driven out of their land, and the Temple would be destroyed (vs. 6-9).

God knew they would follow other gods and not faithfully walk in His ways, so he promised mercy and grace for Israel’s repentance in 2 Chron. 7:14: “if my people who are called by my name shall humble themselves and pray, and see My face and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.

Hiram, the King of Tyre who provided Solomon timber in chapter 5 was not pleased with the cities Solomon gave him (vs. 13-14); however, his sailors still sailed with Solomon’s (vs. 27). This chapter also includes descriptions of Solomon’s wealth—which was promised by the Lord in chapter 3. Solomon built a house for Pharaoh’s daughter (2 Chronicles 8:11), his wealth and slave laborers are described in vs. 15-23.

Question to Ponder: When Solomon obeyed the Lord, kept His commands and walked in His ways, the Lord made him the wealthiest king on earth. NOTE the word “sin” in 2 Chronicles 7:14 is singular, ONE sin - idolatry. What in your life is taking the focus from God, keeping you from walking with Him? If your life is consumed with anything that results in you following it rather than the Lord, that “it” is an idol. What are some examples of these idols?

Solomon's Prayer over the Temple (1 Kings 8 & 2 Chron. 6:2-7:10)

The Temple was completed in the 8th month of the 11th year (1 Kings 6:38). There is an 11 month time gap where the furnishings recorded in chapter 7 were made. Then in the “7th month” the ark is moved to the Temple (1 Kings 8:1). There is significance to the 7th month; the 15th day of the 7th month was the Feast of the Tabernacle or Feast of Tents. This feast was to remind Israel of the time when they lived in tents in the wilderness; the tabernacle was His “tent,” His dwelling place and He lived in their midst during that time.

Solomon assembled the elders to move the Ark of the Covenant into the Temple’s Holy of Holies (vs. 1-7) Remember from 1 Kings 6: 27-29 and 2 Chron. 3: 12 there were 2 large cherubim in the Holy of Holies and under their wings is where the Ark of the Covenant is to be placed.

Solomon stood before the nation of Israel and proclaimed all God had done for them, then prayed for them (vs. 23-53). There are 2 words in regards to praying: “Prayer” is the general Hebrew word for speaking to God or making requests, while “supplication” is more specific for requesting kindness, mercy, or favor from Him. Solomon’s prayer and supplication included the following:

1. Praised God
• Acknowledged there is none like Him (vs. 23)
• The Lord’s attribute of One who keeps covenant
• His loving kindness - the act of kindness, love or mercy that is shown to someone usually reserved for close friends and family members
2. Proclaimed that Israel obey and walk in God’s ways so that there is a man on the throne of Israel (vs. 25). This was a prayer based on the promise God had given David and Solomon. He was praying God’s Words, we too should know God’s Word and Pray it.
3. Plead for God to listen to his prayer and supplications multiple times (vs. 29, 30 and 52). He asked for forgiveness (vs. 30) although no sin had yet occurred, but when these do…
• When man sins against his neighbor > God would judge, condemn (punish) wickedness & bring righteousness (vs. 31-32)
• When because of Israel’s sin they are punished (note these are foreshadows to what is ahead for Israel)…
• are defeated by their enemy - IF they turn, confess, pray THEN God would hear, forgive & bring them back to their land (vs. 33-34)
• have no rain - IF they pray, confess , turn THEN God would send rain (vs. 35-36)
• endure famine and sickness - IF they pray for that affliction THEN God hear, forgive and act accordingly (vs. 37-39)
• are delivered to their enemies and taken captive – WHEN they pray, repent, turn to Him with all their heart, God would hear, maintain their cause, forgive them, have compassion on them (vs. 46-50)
4. Asked God hear and grant the prayers of foreigners so that God would be glorified (vs. 41-43)
5. Asked for protection when Israel prays before going into battle (vs. 44-45)

We can apply this to our prayer life…(1) Praise God (2) Pray His Word in what you ask (3)Pray for Forgiveness (4) Pray God will be Glorified in what you ask (5) Ask for His Protection

After this prayer, Solomon rose and a fire from heaven came to earth, consumed the offering and the glory of the Lord filled the Temple (2 Chron. 7:1) in the form of a visible cloud. The cloud was a visible representation of the glory of the Lord, other scripture supports this: In Exodus 24:16-17 “the glory of the LORD rested on Mount Sinai in the form of the cloud. But to all Israel His glory on top of the mount appeared like a consuming fire.” When the LORD appeared to Moses in Exodus 34:5-7, He was in the cloud. There is a parallel between 1 Kings 8:11 and Exodus 40:33-38 concerning how the LORD’s glory filled it in the form of the cloud and when Jesus, became flesh, He was the embodiment of the glory of the LORD as His only begotten Son. (John 1:1-2, 14) He dwelt among men, just as God had in the tabernacle and in the temple.

When God’s presence came upon them, the people fell on their faces and worshiped God.  Solomon asked that the Lord be with Israel as He had been with their fathers and that the Lord not forsake them (vs. 57)Remember our bodies are the Temple of God, He dwells in us and He never leaves or forsakes us.

 Question to Ponder: Israel made sacrifices to the Lord, they blessed the king and went to their tents joyfully and glad of heart (vs. 62-66). They were living their lives according to God’s plan and they were full of joy. What needs to be different in your life so that you are full of joy?