1 KINGS 11

SOLOMON’S DOWNFALL + AHIJAH’S PROPHECY

Solomon has over a thousand women in his life with seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines. Because many of these women worship other gods and idols, Solomon is gradually influenced away from following God. Solomon, after building the temple, builds sites to make sacrifices to false gods, some of which condone child sacrifice.

God raises up two adversaries to the nation of Israel, Hadad and Rezon. Both of these men are political leaders who hate the nation of Israel and oppose the nation throughout Solomon’s life.

Jeroboam, who was previously a servant of Solomon’s, stands up against Solomon’s leadership. Solomon respects Jeroboam’s strength and sees him as a valuable worker.

Ahijah, a prophet, tells Jeroboam that God would rip the kingdom out of Solomon’s hands and give him ten of the twelve tribes. Ahijah demonstrated this by ripping his robe into twelve pieces and giving ten of them to Jeroboam.

When Solomon hears this prophecy, he wants Jeroboam killed. To avoid Solomon, Jeroboam hides in Egypt until Solomon’s death. After a forty-year reign, Solomon dies and Rehoboam becomes the next king over Israel.