1 Kings 11:41-43

III. CONCLUSION OF THE HISTORY OF SOLOMON 11:41-43

TRANSLATION

(41) And the rest of the acts of Solomon and all which he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon? (42) And the time that Solomon ruled in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. (43) And Solomon slept with his fathers in the city of David his father, and Rehoboam his son ruled in his stead.

COMMENTS

As a consequence of Jeroboam's rebellion, Solomon sought to slay his young Ephraimite overseer. Probably the rebellion specifically mentioned in 1 Kings 11:26 was the result of Ahijah's private prophecy. But this in no way justified any treasonous act on the part of Jeroboam. The fact that God had revealed His purposes to the young man was no reason for Jeroboam to attempt to bring these things to pass. David had known that he was destined to be king, but in faith he patiently waited for God to place him on the throne. Jeroboam should have imitated that example. Furthermore, the rebellion of Jeroboam was all the more inexcusable in view of the fact that Ahijah specifically had declared that Solomon was to retain the kingdom during his lifetime. Nevertheless, Jeroboam lifted up his hand against his king, and it was because of this overt act of rebellion that Solomon sought to slay him. Consequently, Jeroboam fled for his life to Pharaoh Shishak in Egypt. Shishak is the first Pharaoh in the Bible who can be identified with certainty. He is known in Egyptian history as Sheshonk I who began to reign between 988 and 980 B.C. The fact that he granted asylum to Jeroboam proves that he was no friend of Solomon. Hence the official attitude of Egypt towards Israel had drastically changed since the days when one of Shishak's predecessors had given Solomon the hand of his daughter in marriage.

In concluding his account of the reign of Solomon, the author indicates one of the sources which the Holy Spirit directed him to use: the book of the acts of Solomon[319] (1 Kings 11:41). The sources of this history are mentioned more specifically in 2 Chronicles 9:29. Like the reign of David, Solomon's reign lasted forty years (1 Kings 11:42). It has been computed that he could not have been more than sixty at the time of his death.[320] The great king was buried in the city of Davidthat portion of Jerusalem which David had conquered from the Jebusites. Rehoboam, Solomon's son, succeeded to the throne. As far as can be determined from Scripture, Rehoboam was Solomon's only son.

[319] On the nature and content of this document, see section III of the introductory chapter.
[320] Slotki, SBB, p. 90.

It is appropriate at this juncture to make some evaluation of the strengths and weaknesses, the successes and failures of this complex character Solomon. The son of David made Jerusalem a splendid citythe center of attraction to the world of his day. His foremost achievement was the construction of the Temple whose architectural magnificence was only exceeded by its spiritual significance. In addition to the Temple, a splendid group of governmental buildings, a magnificent city wall, six fortresses at strategic locations, two fleets of commercial vessels, industrial development, and the first scientifically planned tax system stand as the constructive accomplishments of his reign. He was a merchant prince and an industrial magnate. Because peace prevailed throughout his reign he was able to develop both commerce and culture. His reputation for wisdom spread throughout his world. He was led of the Holy Spirit to produce three major literary worksProverbs, Ecclesiastes and Canticles (Song of Solomon).

On the other hand, Solomon's weaknesses were neither few nor trivial. He was selfish, over-ambitious, and out of sympathy with his people. He was a polygamist of the worst sort, and his harem proved his undoing. To accommodate the religious tastes of his many wives, Solomon filled Jerusalem with shrines to various deities. His early zeal for the Lord waned during the middle years of his life. The Book of Ecclesiastes may well have been his public confession of a misspent life. Through bitter experience he came to realize that the duty of man was to fear God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13).