Lessons from the Bible applicable to daily living..
1 Kings 11
The scripture started with the fact that Solomon loved women, they weren't just women but foreign women including the daughter of Pharaoh..
Now king Solomon [defiantly] loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, from the very nations of whom the Lord said to the Israelites, “You shall not associate with them, nor shall they associate with you, for the result will be that they will turn away your hearts to follow their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these in love. He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned his heart away [from God]. For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not completely devoted to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David.
1 Kings 11:1-4 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/1ki.11.1-4.AMP
Often times when the Bible refers to someone or situation or something as 'strange' it denotes that they are not within the covenant of God. So the women Solomon went for were outside the covenant. If we note the likes of Jacob, Isaac they married within the covenant of God.
The sad thing about Solomon marrying strange women was that they turned him to serve their gods. Alas! Solomon a descendant of David serving strange gods. This just confirms the saying that if you follow dogs you will feast on dog poop. As a believer anything that draw you far away from God should never be entertained let alone allowed to fester in your life.
The thirst that Solomon had for multiple women to make matters worse strange women drew him into ungodly covenants. I can only imagine how he pleased each of them but I guess like Delilah lured Samson to his destruction through fake love, they probably drew him to these gods of theirs just so he can prove his love for them.
Whatever you will love as a child of God that will replace or make the love and fear of God obsolete should be avoided like plague.
1kibgs 11:5-8 documented the names of the gods Solomon followed through his wives and from verse 9 the Bible stated that God almighty was angry.
So the Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart was turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not follow other gods; but he did not observe (remember, obey) what the Lord had commanded. Therefore the Lord said to Solomon, “Because you have done this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. However, I will not do it in your lifetime, for the sake of your father David, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son (Rehoboam). However, I will not tear away all the kingdom; I will give one tribe (Judah) to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem which I have chosen.”
1 Kings 11:9-13 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/1ki.11.9-13.AMP
You can't serve God and mammon, anything that takes a supreme place in your life above God should not be allowed because it is recipe for destruction.
It painful to read that the punishment for Solomon's disobedience was taken out on the generation after him. God kept his part of the deal with David, Solomon's father for but then the descendants of Solomon had to pay for Solomon's deeds.
We still see such repercussions playing out in the lives of people, they pay for the sins of their fathers or their forefathers except they have divine intervention and deliverance to break the pattern.
My prayer today is that every negative pattern or covenant that has been entered by the generation before me, that is seeking for me or my generation yet unborn or that are alive today is permanently broken in Jesus name amen.
God stirred up adversaries for Solomon
Then the Lord stirred up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite; he was of royal descent in Edom. For it came about, when David was in Edom, and Joab the commander of the army had gone up to bury those killed [in battle] and had struck down every male in Edom (for Joab and all [the army of] Israel stayed there six months, until he had killed every male in Edom), that Hadad escaped to Egypt, he and some Edomites from his father’s servants with him, while Hadad was [still] a little boy. They set out from Midian [south of Edom] and came to Paran, and took men with them from Paran and came to Egypt, to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave [young] Hadad a house and ordered food and provisions for him and gave him land. Hadad found great favor with Pharaoh, so that he gave Hadad in marriage the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen. The sister of Tahpenes gave birth to Genubath, Hadad’s son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh’s house; and Genubath was in Pharaoh’s household among the sons of Pharaoh. But when Hadad heard in Egypt that David had died and that Joab the commander of the army was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, “Let me leave, so that I may go to my own country.” Then Pharaoh said to him, “But what have you lacked with me that now you ask to go to your own country?” He replied, “Nothing; nevertheless you must let me go.” God also stirred up another adversary for Solomon, Rezon the son of Eliada, who had fled from his master, Hadadezer king of Zobah.
1 Kings 11:14-23 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/1ki.11.14-23.AMP
It's just a sad situation, these were adversaries that David had conquered in the past however there was a small boy that escaped. Now that Solomon had messed up old wounds are being opened, Carn of worms are unleashed. Solomon's thirst and desire for what contradicts his tsand with God put him at a disadvantage before this adversaries.
You might wonder but why did God do that. Exodus 34:14, Exodus 20:5-6 clearly states that we should not serve any God except the Most High and the He is a Jealous God (paraphrase).
You can't serve God and serve another god or gods and expect the Most High God to be the king of Kings in your life. Two masters can't rule a kingdom one must bow to the authority of the other.
Lord I pray that you open my eyes to see where I have been serving mammon unknowingly and help me to let go totally and focus on you in Jesus name amen.
1 Kings 11:26-40
Document how Solomon started misbehaving, a distinct one was enforcing forced labour on Jeroboam and God favoured Jeroboam.
Then the Lord stirred up an adversary against Solomon, Hadad the Edomite; he was of royal descent in Edom. For it came about, when David was in Edom, and Joab the commander of the army had gone up to bury those killed [in battle] and had struck down every male in Edom (for Joab and all [the army of] Israel stayed there six months, until he had killed every male in Edom), that Hadad escaped to Egypt, he and some Edomites from his father’s servants with him, while Hadad was [still] a little boy. They set out from Midian [south of Edom] and came to Paran, and took men with them from Paran and came to Egypt, to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave [young] Hadad a house and ordered food and provisions for him and gave him land. Hadad found great favor with Pharaoh, so that he gave Hadad in marriage the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen. The sister of Tahpenes gave birth to Genubath, Hadad’s son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh’s house; and Genubath was in Pharaoh’s household among the sons of Pharaoh. But when Hadad heard in Egypt that David had died and that Joab the commander of the army was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, “Let me leave, so that I may go to my own country.” Then Pharaoh said to him, “But what have you lacked with me that now you ask to go to your own country?” He replied, “Nothing; nevertheless you must let me go.” God also stirred up another adversary for Solomon, Rezon the son of Eliada, who had fled from his master, Hadadezer king of Zobah.
1 Kings 11:14-23 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/1ki.11.14-23.AMP
Again God repeated that He will take the kingdom away from Solomon but because of the love God had for David, he didn't entirely take the whole kingdom he still left one part out of twelve.
I pray that our descendants will not destroy our works before God or ruin the chances for the generation yet unborn due to their greed if the coming of Jesus tarries in Jesus name.
Solomon even attempted to kill Jeroboam. I think Solomon got confused, well, who wouldn't be confused serving multiple gods and having multiple wives and concubines is unhealthy you will definitely be confused. Solomon's spirit man must have been conflicted against itself, because he was in the light and slowly deviated into darkness through his wives.
Marriage is a holy thing, having multiple wives can easily turn marriage to a trap of hell on earth. At times it's not even about multiple wives as in the count it can be the stand of your spouse with God. A person can be just one physically but still carry legion of unclean spirit hence the reason one must not just marry anyine or sleep with anybody outside of the covenant of God and marriage because your body is the temple of God and what you allow into it can defile it because easy deposit of negativity can easily become the main thing in the life of that person.
Solomon died after ruling for 40 years. His son Rehoboam became the king after Solomon's death.
1 Kings 12
Rehoboam started behaving foolishly according to the Bible.
Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king. Now when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard about it, he was living in Egypt (for he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon). So they sent word and called for him, and Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying, “Your father made our yoke (burden) heavy; so now lighten the hard labor and the heavy yoke your father imposed on us, and we will serve you.” Rehoboam replied to them, “Leave for three days, then come back to me [for my decision].” So the people left. King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served and advised his father Solomon while he was still alive and said, “How do you advise me to answer this people?” They spoke to him, saying, “If you will be a servant to this people today, and will serve them and grant their request, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” But he ignored the advice which the elders gave him and consulted the young men who grew up with him and served him. He said to them, “What do you advise that we answer this people who have said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke (burden) which your father put on us’?” The young men who had grown up with him answered, “This is what you should say to this people who told you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but as for you, make our yoke lighter’—say this to them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins [and my reign will be even more severe]. And now, whereas my father loaded you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’ ” Jeroboam and all the people came back to Rehoboam on the third day, just as the king had instructed, saying, “Return to me on the third day.” The king answered the people harshly and ignored the advice which the elders had given him, and spoke to them in accordance with the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but as for me, I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.” So the king did not listen to the people; for the situation was from the Lord, so that He might fulfill His word which He spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
1 Kings 12:1-15 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/1ki.12.1-15.AMP
Rehoboam was the worse version of Solomon. He fail to acknowledge the wishes of the people he was ruling over, he made their situation worse compared t when his father was ruling. This is just wrong, the Bible confirms that when the wicked is in power the people suffer Provers 29:2.
It is important to pray for people in position of authority, either you voted them in, they inherited it or whichever means they became the leader pray that their hearts will be governed by the truth and the fear of God. Even if they are not a person of same faith as you are, God can use anyone to fulfill His purpose in the lives of His people. Rehoboam was wicked and heartless on nature, although the elders gave him the right advise but he took a decision that was against the advise they gave him and against the will of God. He didn't even consult God. Power can make people act like demi or semi gods.
The kingdom of Israel divided as it was prophecies thanks to Rehoboam
Rehoboam went to Shechem, for all Israel had come to Shechem to make him king. Now when Jeroboam the son of Nebat heard about it, he was living in Egypt (for he was still in Egypt, where he had fled from King Solomon). So they sent word and called for him, and Jeroboam and all the assembly of Israel came and spoke to Rehoboam, saying, “Your father made our yoke (burden) heavy; so now lighten the hard labor and the heavy yoke your father imposed on us, and we will serve you.” Rehoboam replied to them, “Leave for three days, then come back to me [for my decision].” So the people left. King Rehoboam consulted with the elders who had served and advised his father Solomon while he was still alive and said, “How do you advise me to answer this people?” They spoke to him, saying, “If you will be a servant to this people today, and will serve them and grant their request, and speak good words to them, then they will be your servants forever.” But he ignored the advice which the elders gave him and consulted the young men who grew up with him and served him. He said to them, “What do you advise that we answer this people who have said to me, ‘Lighten the yoke (burden) which your father put on us’?” The young men who had grown up with him answered, “This is what you should say to this people who told you, ‘Your father made our yoke heavy, but as for you, make our yoke lighter’—say this to them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s loins [and my reign will be even more severe]. And now, whereas my father loaded you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke. My father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.’ ” Jeroboam and all the people came back to Rehoboam on the third day, just as the king had instructed, saying, “Return to me on the third day.” The king answered the people harshly and ignored the advice which the elders had given him, and spoke to them in accordance with the advice of the young men, saying, “My father made your yoke heavy, but as for me, I will add to your yoke; my father disciplined you with whips, but I will discipline you with scorpions.” So the king did not listen to the people; for the situation was from the Lord, so that He might fulfill His word which He spoke through Ahijah the Shilonite to Jeroboam the son of Nebat.
1 Kings 12:1-15 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/1ki.12.1-15.AMP
The lesson here is important, although there was a prophecy but there was someone that needs to be the vessel to carry it out. Just like Judas was the vessel used to betray Jesus even though he did it out of greed but he had to be the one to play out that script.
Lord under no circumstances do not allow my family and I to be used to carry out evil script or prophecies in Jesus name.
It came about when all Israel heard that Jeroboam had returned, that they sent word and called him to the assembly and made him king over all Israel. None followed the house of David except the tribe of Judah [including Benjamin]. Now when Rehoboam arrived in Jerusalem, he assembled all the [fighting men from the] house of Judah, with the tribe of Benjamin, 180,000 chosen warriors, to fight against the house of Israel to bring the kingdom back to Rehoboam the son of Solomon. But the word of God came to Shemaiah the man of God, saying, “Tell Rehoboam the son of Solomon, king of Judah, and all the house (fighting men) of Judah and Benjamin and the rest of the people, ‘Thus says the Lord, “You shall not go up and fight against your brothers, the sons of Israel. Let every man return to his house, for this thing has come about from Me.” ’ ” So they listened to the word of the Lord and returned to go home, in accordance with the word of the Lord.
1 Kings 12:20-24 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/1ki.12.20-24.AMP
Jeroboam became the King of Israel upon his return to Israel and God sent a prophet to Rehoboam not to go against Jeroboam. Life we are all playing out the script that has been written having said that we have the choice to do right by God always.
1 Kings 12:25-33
Documented how Jeroboam messed up because he doubted God and he slipped into idolatry.
Then Jeroboam built Shechem [as his royal city] in the hill country of Ephraim and lived there. He went out from there and rebuilt Penuel [as a stronghold]. Jeroboam [doubted God’s promise to him and] said in his heart, “Now the kingdom will return to the house of David. If these people go up to the house of the Lord in Jerusalem to offer sacrifices, then their heart will turn to their Lord, to Rehoboam king of Judah; and they will kill me and return to Rehoboam king of Judah.” So the king took counsel [and followed bad advice] and made two calves of gold. And he said to the people, “It is too much for you to go [all the way] up to Jerusalem; behold your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt.”
1 Kings 12:25-28 AMP
https://bible.com/bible/1588/1ki.12.25-28.AMP
It's ridiculous that someone God saved from the arms of Solomon and warned Rehoboam not to go after him doubted God because he thought within him the people will want to return. He went further to seek ungodly counsel and followed it.
No matter where we find ourselves in life never doubt God, never doubt His power, His ability or His promises. Never replace godly counsel with ungodly counsel. Don't allow power and position to make you relegate the position of God in your life. Without God you probably wouldn't have gotten that position, acknowledge Him all the way and don't idolised the gift above the giver of the gift (God almighty).
