Topical Bible: Israel: Under the Kings Before the Separation Into Two Kingdoms: Solomon's Death

◄ Israel: Under the Kings Before the Separation Into Two Kingdoms: Solomon's Death ►

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The period of Israel's monarchy before the division into two kingdoms is marked by the reigns of Saul, David, and Solomon. Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba, ascended to the throne following David's death, and his reign is noted for its wisdom, wealth, and extensive building projects, including the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem.

Solomon's Reign

Solomon's reign is characterized by peace and prosperity, a fulfillment of God's promise to David that his son would build a house for the Lord's name (2 Samuel 7:12-13). Solomon's wisdom, granted by God in response to his humble request for discernment (1 Kings 3:9-12), became legendary, attracting dignitaries such as the Queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:1-13). His administrative acumen and strategic alliances, including numerous marriages to foreign princesses, expanded Israel's influence and wealth.

Religious and Political Challenges

Despite his wisdom, Solomon's reign was not without challenges. His marriages to foreign women led him to build high places for their gods, which turned his heart away from the Lord (1 Kings 11:1-8). This idolatry was a direct violation of God's commandments and sowed seeds of future division. The Lord appeared to Solomon twice, warning him of the consequences of his disobedience (1 Kings 11:9-11).

Solomon's Death

Solomon reigned for forty years, and his death marked the end of an era of united monarchy in Israel. The Berean Standard Bible records, "Then Solomon rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of his father David, and his son Rehoboam reigned in his place" (1 Kings 11:43). His death set the stage for the subsequent division of the kingdom due to the heavy burdens he placed on the people and the discontent that followed.

Legacy and Prophetic Fulfillment

Solomon's reign, while glorious, also fulfilled the prophetic warnings given by Samuel regarding the potential pitfalls of monarchy (1 Samuel 8:10-18). The burdensome taxes and forced labor imposed by Solomon led to widespread dissatisfaction among the tribes of Israel. This discontent would soon manifest in the rebellion against his son Rehoboam, leading to the division of the kingdom into Israel and Judah.

Solomon's death thus serves as a pivotal moment in Israel's history, highlighting the tension between divine promise and human failure. His reign, while marked by extraordinary achievements, also underscores the importance of faithfulness to God's covenant, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Kings 11:41-43
And the rest of the acts of Solomon, and all that he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the book of the acts of Solomon?
Nave's Topical Index

Library

The Historical Books.
... of the ark; Samuel's administration, and the deliverance of the people under him
from ... of Judah as a line"are named in contrast with the kings of Israel. ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm

The New Garment Bent
... Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty ... for building, so common in
Eastern kings, and the ... had smouldered for some time under the unconscious ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/the new garment bent.htm

Pride of Prosperity
... every man under his vine and under his fig ... From being one of the greatest kings that
ever ... years of apostasy, the spiritual decline of Israel progressed steadily ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 3 pride of prosperity.htm

The Earlier Hebrew Histories.
... for two hundred years after the Book of Kings was finished ... the secession of the ten
tribes under Jeroboam; the ... relations of the two kingdoms of Israel and Judah ...
/.../gladden/who wrote the bible/chapter iv the earlier hebrew.htm

The Blessing of Jacob Upon Judah. (Gen. Xlix. 8-10. )
... region on the other side of the river, from Tiphsah even to Gaza, over all the kings
on the ... And Judah and Israel dwelt safely, every man under his vine ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the blessing of jacob upon.htm

The Oration on Holy Baptism.
... the midst of them, [4032] gods and kings, deciding and ... nor a whetted razor, [4158]
nor turn under our tongue ... check by continence, as the Law bade Israel of old ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xl the oration on.htm

The Holy City; Or, the New Jerusalem:
... she was a city-for a long time under the feet ... his church, even then when the glory
is departed from Israel. ... shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the holy city or the.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... said unto me, Go, prophesy unto my people Israel" (Amos 7 ... This "tree of knowledge,"
as I said before, was a ... the world, was made under the law, under its command ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

Faustus States his Objections to the Morality of the Law and the ...
... so great faith, no, not in Israel." [801] We ... the indulgence of the bodily appetite
under the guidance of ... Sara at different times to the two kings Abimelech and ...
/.../faustus states his objections to.htm

The Pilgrim's Progress
... hands (as you see), and is in kings' palaces' (Prov ... But met you with no opposition
before you set out of ... given thee of the Lord God of Israel, under whose wings ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/the pilgrims progress.htm