The Kings of Israel
The Kings of Israel was taught by Dr. James Modlish

Lesson Thirteen
Solomon’s Failure
(I Kings 9-11)

Introduction:
In 9:1-9 God reaffirmed His covenant and reminded Solomon of his responsibility to be obedient to the Word of God. If Solomon disobeyed, the great houses he had built would be left in ruins and serve as a monument of Israel’s unbelief. The principle is always the same---obedience leads to blessings.

I. Dangerous alliances - 9:10-10:13

A. Hiram – (9:10-14) Solomon depended on Hiram for the wood and skilled workmen for building the temple (5:1-12).

It appears in (II Chron. 8:1-2) that Hiram and Solomon are doing some city swapping which led Solomon into a relationship that was too deep and led to future problems (II Cor. 6:14-7:1).

B. Egypt – (9:15-24) In marrying a heathen woman (an apparent political move), Solomon set a bad example for his nation. See Isa. 31:1

C. Other nations – (9:25-10:13) Solomon’s navy must have sailed as far away as India to secure the luxuries his kingdom demanded. The Queen of Sheba’s visit was more than a social call; it involved establishing trade agreements. Jesus mentions her in (Matt. 12:42) and used her visit to warn the Jews of His day.

II. Wrong ambitions – 10:14-29

The instructions for kings are given in (Deut. 17:16-20). Solomon violated all these. Perhaps it is significant that Solomon received 666 talents of gold a year (Rev. 13:18). (I Tim. 6:9) is the New Testament admonition to the believer.



III. Deliberate apostasy – ch. 11

Solomon multiplied wives and concubines from heathen nations which led to a toleration of their pagan practices and as always, culminated in the acceptance of this apostasy on a wide scale. Several warnings were given to Solomon which included:

A warning message – (11:9-13)
An invasion by Edom – (11:14-22)
Trouble from Rezon – (11:23-25)
Competition from Jeroboam – (11:26-43)

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