Summary 1 Kings 11:9-13:
The Lord became angry at Solomon for his heart had turned away from God and promised Solomon to tear away his kingdom and give it to one of his subordinates, but not during Solomon’s lifetime out of respect for his father, David. God would take the kingdom away from Solomon’s son instead — and not the whole tribe but just one tribe away from Solomon’s son (here we see the split in Israel happening).
BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1: Lesson 29, Day 3: 1 Kings 11:9-13:
6) God was angry because Solomon’s heart had turned away from Him. He had built altars to other gods and worshipped them. Our God is a jealous God. Following God leads to eternal life and joy in God’s presence. Everything is meaningless of this world without God. God is the only One, True God. God carries His people and sustains them/us and rescues us. God’s plans prevail. God is our creator and gives us life.
7) Part personal Question. My answer: People worship others, celebrities, material items, careers, kids, hobbies, or pets. An idol is anything you put above God or something your worship. I don’t worship anything really. I have passions and hobbies, but nothing I can’t live without.
8 ) God and promised Solomon to tear away his kingdom and give it to one of his subordinates, but not during Solomon’s lifetime out of respect for his father, David. God would take the kingdom away from Solomon’s son instead — and not the whole tribe but just one tribe away from Solomon’s son (here we see the split in Israel happening). God has mercy on His people by not punishing Solomon out of respect for David and not taking away the entire kingdom. God is just, and He does things with others in mind (like His people whom He knows needs a leader right now and not to be in foreign hands.
Conclusions BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 29 Day 3: 1 Kings 11:9-13:
It’s sad to read about Solomon’s downfall, but instructive to us. We see the consequences Solomon could not, and we can learn from his mistakes.
End Notes BSF Study Questions People of the Promised Land 1 Lesson 29, Day 3: 1 Kings 11:9-13:
God had good reason to be displeased with Solomon: He had appeared to him twice, and Solomon still turned to other gods. Solomon’s sin was base ingratitude and a waste of great spiritual privilege.
We sometimes think that great spiritual experiences (like praying for a miracle or a sign) will keep us from sin and will keep us faithful to God. Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, saw God and turned. What would be our reaction?
God promised the entire kingdom of Israel to the descendants of David forever, if they only remained obedient. David reminded Solomon of this promise shortly before his death (1 Kings 2:4). Yet they could not remain faithful even one generation.
Solomon’s kingdom had outstanding wealth, military power, and prestige. Yet the true security of Israel was in the blessing of God and in the obedience and faithfulness of their king.
Even in this great judgment, God shows undeserved mercy with deserved judgment. God announces that the kingdom will be divided, and part of it will be loyal to the descendants of David and part of it will be under a different dynasty.
Many other passages in the Old Testament (such as 2 Chronicles 11:12) tell us that the southern kingdom was made up of two tribes, Judah and Benjamin. Several times in this chapter the southern kingdom is referred to as one tribe. This is because either Benjamin is swallowed up in Judah, or the idea was one tribe in addition to Judah.
