Untitled Sermon (7)

Context:

Solomon’s reign ()

Chapters 3-11 chronicals Solomon’s reign over Israel. We see in chapters 3-4 that Solomon begins his reign by marrying an Egyptian princess (3:1-3) and had a deep devotion and love for YHWH (3:3). Desiring to rule well Solomon prays to God for wisdom and God responds by giving him both great wisdom and great wealth (3:4-15). Solomon’s wisdom is on full display in his interaction with the two prostitutes (3:16-28). Chapter 4 describes Solomon’s resources as king (officials, forced labor, horses, etc.).

Chapters 5-7 records the plans of for building the temple, including alliances made, trades, followed by the plans and dimensions of the temple. Chapter 8 is the climax of the Solomon narrative where the temple is dedicated to YHWH, which includes the Ark returning, Solomons prayer of dedication, a benediction and Solomon’s sacrifices.

Chapters 9-10 we see the Lord responds to Solomon’s prayer. Hiram is displeased with the towns that Solomon gave him as payment for the Temple materials. Solomon’s great wealth is described, and the queen of Sheba admires Solomon’s wealth, wisdom, and fame.

The Lord responds to Solomon’s prayer. Hiram is displeased with the towns that Solomon gave him as payment for the Temple materials. Solomon’s triumphs and treasures are described. The queen of Sheba admires Solomon’s wealth, wisdom, and fame.

Chapter 11 is the story of Solomon’s demise. Where 3:3 says that he loved the Lord, 11:1 begins with a different description of Solomons affections, “Now King Solomon loved many foreign women.” His affections continue to stray as he not only loved foreign women, but he also gave his heart to foreign gods. God’s people had been warned by God, by Moses, and by Joshua not to marry foreign women so that they would not be led to worship other gods (; ; ). Furthermore, by having numerous wives, Solomon disobeyed the warning in that the king was not to have many wives. YHWH responds to Solomon as he promised he would (9:6-9) by tearing the kingdom away from Solomon and his children. Though God evoked the covenantal curses upon Solomon’s linage, he remained faithful to the promise given to David and gave one tribe to Solomon’s son (11:13).

The Israelites had been warned by God, by Moses, and by Joshua not to marry foreign women so that they would not be led to worship other gods (; ; ). Furthermore, by having numerous wives, Solomon disobeyed the warning in that the king was not to have many wives

Jeroboam is introduced in 11:28 as a man capable of great leadership thus Solomon gave him charge over the forced labor of the house of Joseph. Jeroboam is then confronted by Ahijah the prophet. Ahijah told Jeroboam God’s plan to tear the kingdom apart and to give him 10 tribes to rule over. Yet he will, because of David’s faithfulness, give Rehoboam one tribe and the rule over Jerusalem. Solomon discovers this prophecy and seeks to kill Jeroboam who fled into Egypt to hide until Solomon dies.

Donald Slager, “Preface,” in A Handbook on 1 & 2 Kings (ed. Paul Clarke et al.; vol. 1–2; United Bible Societies’ Handbooks; New York: United Bible Societies, 2008), 1–2351.YHWH responds to Solomon as he promised he would (9:6-9) by tearing the kingdom away from Solomon and his children, though God said he would only take part of the kingdom away for the sake of David and Jurusalem (11:13).

Chapter 12

• his love of Yahweh

b Solomon’s request for wisdom; will receive great wealth and wisdom (3:4–15)

c two women come to Solomon (3:16–28)

• his wisdom in justice

• people see

• officials, forced labor, horses, etc.

e Hiram of Tyre provides supplies for Solomon (5:1–18 [5:15–32])

f Solomon builds Yahweh’s temple and palace (6:1–7:51)

g CLIMAX: temple dedication (8:1–66)

The Literary Structure of the Old Testament: A Commentary on Genesis–Malachi Establishment of the Northern Kingdom: Its First Seven Kings (1 Kings 12–16)

Solomon’s reign (1 Kings 3–11)

a Solomon’s marriage to Egyptian princess (3:1–3)

• his love of Yahweh

b Solomon’s request for wisdom; will receive great wealth and wisdom (3:4–15)

c two women come to Solomon (3:16–28)

• his wisdom in justice

• people see

d overview of government (4:1–34 [4:1–5:14])

• officials, forced labor, horses, etc.

e Hiram of Tyre provides supplies for Solomon (5:1–18 [5:15–32])

f Solomon builds Yahweh’s temple and palace (6:1–7:51)

g CLIMAX: temple dedication (8:1–66)

f′ Yahweh’s approval of temple (9:1–9)

• “after Solomon had finished building the temple and palace”

e′ Hiram of Tyre is paid for supplies (9:10–14)

d′ overview of government (9:15–28)

• officials, forced labor, horses, etc.

c′ queen of Sheba comes to Solomon (10:1–13)

• his wisdom and justice

• she sees

b′ Solomon’s great wisdom and wealth (10:14–29)

a′ Solomon’s marriages to foreign women (11:1–43)

• his love of them; his sin and punishment

f′ Yahweh’s approval of temple (9:1–9)

• “after Solomon had finished building the temple and palace”

e′ Hiram of Tyre is paid for supplies (9:10–14)

d′ overview of government (9:15–28)

• officials, forced labor, horses, etc.

c′ queen of Sheba comes to Solomon (10:1–13)

• his wisdom and justice

• she sees

b′ Solomon’s great wisdom and wealth (10:14–29)

a′ Solomon’s marriages to foreign women (11:1–43)

• his love of them; his sin and punishment

Rehoboam succeeds his father, Solomon, as king. Rehoboam is faced with a question as to how he will govern the people, will he deal with the harshly or not? After seeking council from the old men and the young men, Rehoboam made the foolish decision to rule harshly. The result is the revolt of Jeroboam and the 10 northern tribes with him. An immediate war between the two kingdoms is avoided. Jeroboam institutes idol worship at Dan and Bethel.

The Outline Bible Section Outline Eight (1 Kings 12–13)

Rehoboam succeeds his father, Solomon, as king. After Rehoboam makes a poor decision to rule harshly, Jeroboam rebels against Reho-boam and rules the 10 northern tribes. An immediate war between the two kingdoms is avoided. Jeroboam institutes idol worship at Dan and Bethel.

The Outline Bible Section Outline Eight (1 Kings 12–13)

I. REHOBOAM (12:1–24): After Solomon’s death, Rehoboam is the new king over all Israel.

Rehoboam (12:1–24): After Solomon’s death, Rehoboam is the new king over all Israel.

Structure:

JEROBOAM (12:25–13:34): After the 10 northern tribes revolt, they make Jeroboam their leader.

His apostasy (12:25–33; 13:33–34)

What he does (12:28–33; 13:33–34)

Jeroboam builds two gold calf idols and places them in Bethel and Dan, two cities of the northern kingdom.

He appoints non-Levites to serve as priests.

He institutes his own religious festival.

The Outline Bible Section Outline Eight (1 Kings 12–13)

JEROBOAM (12:25–13:34): After the 10 northern tribes revolt, they make Jeroboam their leader.

A. His apostasy (12:25–33; 13:33–34)

1. What he does (12:28–33; 13:33–34)

a. Jeroboam builds two gold calf idols and places them in Bethel and Dan, two cities of the northern kingdom.

b. He appoints non-Levites to serve as priests.

c. He institutes his own religious festival.