1 Kings 11: Solomon Turns from the Lord

Old Testament Seminary Student Study Guide, (2002), 107

If we could learn anything from the stories of Israel’s first two kings, it would be this: no matter how good or favored you are in the beginning, you must endure to the end. This truth makes the story of Solomon all the more puzzling. Why didn’t he endure faithfully to the end? As you read 1 Kings 11, notice what happened because of Solomon’s unfaithfulness to the Lord.

Understanding the Scriptures

1 Kings 11

Strange (vv. 1, 8)Foreign 
Clave (v. 2)Became close 
Concubines (v. 3)Women married to a particular man but with a lesser status than a “wife,” usually performing servant-type duties in the household 
Rend (vv. 11–13, 31)Tear 
Howbeit (vv. 13, 22, 34)But 
Adversary (vv. 14, 23, 25)Enemy 
Victuals (v. 18)Food 
Abhorred (v. 25)Hated 
Breaches (v. 27)Gaps in the wall where it wasn’t finished 
Industrious (v. 28)A good worker 
Clad (v. 29)Clothed 

1 Kings 11:4—Was David’s Heart Really “Perfect” with the Lord?

The Joseph Smith Translation changed 1 Kings 11:4 to say that Solomon’s heart was not perfect with the Lord and he became like his father David.

Studying the Scriptures

Do activities A and B as you study 1 Kings 11.

Activity A iconMarriage out of the Covenant

  1. 1.

    In 1 Kings 3:1 we read that Solomon married a non-Israelite wife. She was the daughter of the Egyptian pharaoh. Marrying Pharaoh’s daughter seemed like a wise thing to do because a king would not usually attack another king who was married to his daughter. Marriage was a very common way of making treaties in those days. In Deuteronomy 7:1–4, the Lord gave counsel about marrying outside the covenant. How does the counsel in Deuteronomy apply to Solomon in 1 Kings 11:1–8?

  2. 2.

    Give an example of how this principle applies today in your age group.

Activity B iconWhat Are the Consequences?

Name at least two things that happened because Solomon’s heart was turned from the Lord (see 1 Kings 11:11–40).