11:1-3 Solomon is like his father, David, in that he is unable (or unwilling, depending on how you look at it) to stifle the temptation of his lust for women. This is representative of that one (or several) thing in our life which competes with our faith. Each person has something that pollutes our ability to live as God has instructed. Something that calls to us from outside of the kingdom that we still give our ear to, even when God has taught us to know better.
Solomon procures wives from many other nations. Not only did God advise monogamy (Deuteronomy 17:17), he also warned that marrying outside of the faith would taint the faith (Deuteronomy 7:3). When we surround ourselves, or tether our lives to, people who are committed to God, we surround ourselves with righteousness. But Solomon married women who did not love or even know God, they never made the effort. And thus Solomon surrounded himself by faithlessness, and it drained away his own faith.
When we marry someone who has a personal relationship with God, we marry a soul who knows how to commit to righteousness. When two people with faith in God marry, they each and together have God as a marriage counselor, a life coach. Two people with faith in God are on the same journey, to the same place with the same values. One does not tug the other to a different path because they share the same one.
But Solomon's intrigue in the beauty and abundance of his wives derails him. Through Solomon we learn to starve the intrigue that serenades us away from our faith. It isn't that God's love is only offered exclusively; any of Solomon's wives would have been welcomed into God's house if they abandoned corruption. Solomon's wives did not show interest in the God who meant and did so much to Solomon. With his wisdom, Solomon should have let that statement alone deter him from these marriages. But lust and temptation mute the voice of reason when we give them too much power.
Solomon was once known for his wisdom, but we can now appreciate this written account of his life for giving us the wisdom not to make the same mistakes.
11:4 After spending so much of his life with wives who served other gods, fake gods, Solomon forgets his own true God. Little by little, his wives lifestyles leeched monotheism out of Solomon's heart. He might not have even noticed it happened. Corruption is stealthy and cunning, in little bites and moments and requests it ruptures our faith.
God's advise: do not even put yourself in a position to fight the stealth and cunning. But Solomon does. We all do, with something. We give power to our anger or attention to our lust.
Solomon's father, David, had a fascination with women as well. But David loved the Lord his entire life. Solomon's heart turns away; the beauty and abundance of his kingdom will suffer and suffocate as Solomon cuts off its source. Because our faith is a channel through which blessings flow and are delivered. Through faith God is receptive to our prayers. A corrupt kingdom will not stand, not when it is supposed to represent God. Solomon's behavior could turn the entire population against God and therefore discipline becomes necessary.
11:5-8 Solomon erects places of worship for his wives' corrupt gods. He has the audacity to worship gods who did nothing for him, in the land of the God who has done everything for him.
11:9 God becomes angry because Solomon is dangerously close to leading the entire kingdom away from Him. God becomes angry because He loves to provide for His children, but cannot do so if they choose other, false gods. God has declared that we are free; in the Garden of Evil He offered free will. If we choose to worship something other than Him, so be it. But if we plug our faith into another source, we cut ourselves off from the one which can actually (and abundantly) provide.
11:10 Solomon disregarded God's advice. When he became king, God visited Him. God gave him guidelines, instructions and suggestions (just as He gives us here in scripture!) He does not leave Solomon (or us) to fend for ourselves. But if we will not take His advice, we become vulnerable to everything He tried to protect us from.
11:11-12 God does not punish someone for another person's mistake, Ezekiel 18:20. Therefore, from God's declaration we learn that the tribes of Israel have also gone astray. God tells Solomon that the kingdom will crumble and fragment. Out of love for David's efforts in faith, God promises that this will not happened until after Solomon's death.
God promises the future kingdom to Solomon's servant.
11:13 Solomon's son will inherit the broken nation, but God promises to provide that son one tribe (again, out of love for David and magnanimous love for His people).
11:14-20 God destabilizes our enemies, Psalm 21:11. With God as our adversary, our enemies clever plans are thwarted, Job 5:12. But Solomon's enemies are not thwarted because Solomon has disregarded his best and efficient defense: God. Therefore, a man named Hadad is able to rebuild his life with the inevitable goal of retaliating against the children of Israel (Joab and the army killed the males in Edom).
It is unnecessary to have corruption build in our periphery. God stifles the plans of the wicked we cannot see. That which builds against us in the background is torn down by Him (so effectively that we often do not even realize how much He is doing for us in places and situations we cannot see).
11:21-22 This enemy had resolution. He had a home, he was provided for by Egypt. He had been content. But that protection was upheld by God's strength and generosity. Without it, the contentment comes crumble down. The pursuers are re-inspired to attack their prey. The blanket of peace is torn off and with it, the resolution it provided.
11:23-25 Enemies start seeping into the cracks God defense once filled. Another man: Rezon, abhors the tribes of Israel and causes them trouble. From several sides, Solomon's kingdom begins experiencing tribulation.
11:26-28 Solomon's kingdom begins to fracture from within; his servant Jeroboam rebels against him. The word servant means that Jeroboam served the kingdom in some way. Jeroboam is the officer of the labor force of the house of Joseph. Although we do not know the specifics, Jeroboam's complaint against Solomon had to do with the labor.
11:29-31 A prophet, Ahijah, meets Jeroboam on his way out of Jerusalem. The prophet tears Jeroboam's garment into twelve pieces and begins to prophesy through illustration: God has decided to give him ten of the twelve tribes of Israel to lead.
11:32 One of the tribes will be reserved for Solomon's lineage.
11:33 God is upfront in His explanation of the fragmentation of Israel: they "have not walked in My ways to do what is right in My eyes and keep My statutes and My judgments...". They have forsaken Him. A house divided cannot stand, without mutual commitment, the relationship is ruined.
11:34 The reason why Jeroboam does not receive all of the tribes to lead is because God promised David that Solomon would reign as king over the tribes. Imperfect though he was, David loved the Lord fiercely; he dedicated his entire life to serving Him, establishing and defending the kingdom. Out of respect for that effort, God keeps His promise to David.
11:35-36 Solomon's son will inherit a fractured kingdom, but will retain a piece of it. For it is God's love for David's faith that will carry David's line throughout generations. God explains that David will always have a lamp before God; manifestation of all that his faith accomplished.
11:37 God finds Jeroboam to be a righteous man, otherwise he would not receive this gift of leadership.
11:38 God explains to Jeroboam that if he is willing to live in accordance with God's will, He will remain with Him. God promises to build him an enduring house, with the same love that inspired Him to do for David.
11:39 The descendants of David (Solomon) will receive their discipline "but not forever."
11:40 Heart turned away from God and therefore righteousness, Solomon seeks Jeroboam's life. We see just how far Solomon has fallen and we begin to understand how capable this powerful and influence man is of corrupted the people under him. Solomon had many nations attention, their eyes and eyes and feet traveled to observe. Solomon's corruption would have caused serious damage not just to the reputation of God but also to the lifestyles of his, and surrounding people.
It is imperative that we each remain aware of our own impact on the people around us. Especially if we claim to be followers of God. Our behavior represents God's kingdom. What we do matters and speaks more than thousands of words. That can be amazing and powerful: by just living righteously, we can boldly and eloquently lead people to God. But if we do not live righteously, we poison the waters; we lead people further away from God. And the world suffers because of that.
Solomon is unable to harm Jeroboam because Jeroboam has the defense of God that Solomon discarded. Solomon is so removed from his faith that he seems to have forgotten than the plans of the wicked are thwarted by God. He seems not to realize that he has become the wicked.
11:41 While he was faithful, Solomon's wisdom contributed much to the world. Unfortunately, that scripture is lost to us. However, the Book of Ecclesiastes was written by Solomon and provides a visceral discourse on what wisdom truly is.
11:42 Solomon reigned a total of forty years.
11:43 Solomon passes away and is buried with his ancestors. His son, Rehoboam reigns in after him. The beginning of God's most recent prophesy takes place.
Take a moment to appreciate our loyal and equable God. Although Solomon hurt Him, left Him, opposed Him, God retained His promises. Though there is so much in life we cannot rely on, He is the one Thing and Entity in whom we can place our trust. Anger does not cause Him to go back on His word. Solomon's heart turned away from such reliability and love, will yours?
Take a moment to appreciate our loyal and equable God. Although Solomon hurt Him, left Him, opposed Him, God retained His promises. Though there is so much in life we cannot rely on, He is the one Thing and Entity in whom we can place our trust. Anger does not cause Him to go back on His word. Solomon's heart turned away from such reliability and love, will yours?
