1 KINGS 11 (PART 2)
Read 1 Kings 11:26-43
After hearing about Solomon turning away from the Lord by worshipping idols and of God’s judgement by raising up opponents from outside the kingdom, we now learn of opposition from within. Jeroboam was a man of standing we are told (v28) and was trusted by Solomon to head up his building projects.
It was a meeting with a prophet that started Jeroboam on the road to rebellion. Prophets are strange beings. This one, Ahijah, seemingly appeared out of nowhere when Jeroboam was alone on his travels, and cut up a brand new cloak into twelve pieces and gave him ten. Thankfully he then explained to Jeroboam that this represented the twelve tribes of Israel and passed on God’s word to him, and it is what we learned in the previous chapter. God was going to split the people of Israel into two groups. One of them, comprising ten tribes would be led by Jeroboam, the other two tribes would remain under the leadership of the House of David. The reason the Lord was doing this, Ahijah said, was that Solomon worshipped all these false gods. It was God’s judgement. Ahijah then passed on God’s word to Jeroboam in the form of a promise that was the same as Solomon received earlier; “if you do what I command you and walk in my ways and do what is right . . . I will be with you” (v38). This was a chance for Jeroboam to be a great leader in the mould of David. Would he take it and honour God in doing so? We will see!
Solomon evidently got wind of Jeroboam’s kingly ambitions and tried to kill him, but failed. We then read of Solomon’s death. As ever, the Old Testament is very sparing on the detail and there is no great assessment of Solomon’s reign; simply that he rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of David, that is, Jerusalem.
Solomon’s life story is a tragic one of a great fall. It started so well when God offered him a gift of anything he wanted, and he chose wisdom rather than fame or wealth – and we saw that God in his grace also gave him the wealth and fame that he did not ask for. Solomon’s rule was initially so successful and met with the Lord’s approval. But in time, Solomon drifted away from the Lord’s word and ultimately committed the greatest sin of turning away from God and worshipping false gods. It is a reminder to us that even the most godly of people can fall from grace, and we have seen this happen in our own time with prominent and popular Christian leaders who then turn away from God. The followers of these people are often left with a sense of betrayal, but it shows that we should not put our trust in mere humans. We shouldn’t put our leaders on a pedestal; all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23). But to whom much is given, much will be required (Luke 12:48).