Topical Bible: Judgments: Denounced Against Solomon

◄ Judgments: Denounced Against Solomon ►

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The judgments denounced against Solomon are a pivotal moment in the biblical narrative, reflecting the consequences of disobedience to God's commandments. Solomon, the son of David and king of Israel, is renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and the construction of the Temple in Jerusalem. However, his reign is also marked by a significant turning point due to his failure to remain faithful to the covenant with God.

Background and Context

Solomon's reign began with divine favor, as he was chosen by God to succeed his father, David. God appeared to Solomon in a dream at Gibeon, offering him anything he desired. Solomon famously asked for wisdom to govern the people, which pleased God. In response, God granted him unparalleled wisdom, as well as riches and honor (1 Kings 3:5-14).

Despite his auspicious beginning, Solomon's later years were characterized by a departure from the commandments of God. The king's heart was led astray by his many foreign wives, who turned him toward idolatry. Solomon built high places for the gods of his wives, such as Ashtoreth, Chemosh, and Molech, which was a direct violation of God's command to worship Him alone (1 Kings 11:1-8).

Divine Judgment Pronounced

The Lord's anger was kindled against Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. Despite God's clear instructions not to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep what the Lord had commanded (1 Kings 11:9-10).

As a result, God pronounced judgment upon Solomon. The Lord declared that He would tear the kingdom away from Solomon and give it to his servant. However, for the sake of David, Solomon's father, God promised not to do this during Solomon's lifetime. Instead, the kingdom would be divided during the reign of Solomon's son. Furthermore, God assured that He would leave one tribe for the sake of David and Jerusalem, the city He had chosen (1 Kings 11:11-13).

Fulfillment of Judgment

The judgment against Solomon was fulfilled after his death. His son Rehoboam ascended to the throne, and the kingdom was indeed divided. Jeroboam, a servant of Solomon, led a rebellion that resulted in the ten northern tribes forming the separate kingdom of Israel, while Rehoboam retained control over the tribe of Judah and Benjamin, forming the kingdom of Judah (1 Kings 12:16-20).

Theological Implications

The judgments denounced against Solomon serve as a sobering reminder of the importance of faithfulness to God's commandments. Solomon's failure to adhere to the covenant led to the division of the kingdom, illustrating the severe consequences of idolatry and disobedience. This narrative underscores the biblical theme that God desires exclusive devotion and that deviation from His ways leads to judgment and loss.

Related Scripture

· 1 Kings 3:5-14: God's initial promise to Solomon.
· 1 Kings 11:1-13: Solomon's idolatry and the pronouncement of judgment.
· 1 Kings 12:16-20: The division of the kingdom under Rehoboam.

The account of Solomon's judgments is a critical lesson in the biblical history of Israel, emphasizing the necessity of remaining true to God's covenant and the repercussions of failing to do so.

Nave's Topical Index

1 Kings 11:9-14,23
And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared to him twice,
Nave's Topical Index

Library

Book 8 Footnotes
... youth here still mentioned, when Solomon's wickedness was ... to elude what is denounced
against them, and to escape the Divine judgments thereby threatened ...
/.../josephus/the antiquities of the jews/book 8 footnotes.htm

The Destruction of Jerusalem.
... who had seen the glory of Solomon's temple, and ... to the listening disciples the judgments
that were ... of her sins, wrath had been denounced against Jerusalem, and ...
/.../1 the destruction of jerusalem.htm

The Destruction of Jerusalem
... who had seen the glory of Solomon's temple, and ... to the listening disciples the judgments
that were ... of her sins, wrath had been denounced against Jerusalem, and ...
/.../white/the great controversy/chapter 1 the destruction of.htm

The Greater Prophets.
... was to God an object of abhorrence, and the severest judgments were denounced against
him. ... power and splendor, as in the days of David and Solomon, but in ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxii the greater prophets.htm

Of Uncharitable Truth.
... It was a Curse denounced against Eli's offspring, that they ... And indeed, in all private
Judgments so much depends ... well as Tongues of others against them, merely ...
/.../allestree/the government of the tongue/section vi of uncharitable truth.htm

The Call of Isaiah
... not permitted to profane the sanctuary against the united ... the nations were inviting
the judgments of God. ... and which had recently been denounced in unmistakable ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 25 the call of.htm

1 Timothy v. 15-Nov
... And because many judgments are formed upon suspicion, there ... Against an elder receive
not an accusation." (Deuteronomy 19 ... the fire had not been denounced, no one ...
/.../homily xv 1 timothy v.htm

Exposition of the Moral Law.
... so great, that has statutes and judgments so righteous ... 17:7). With reference to this,
Solomon says, "The ... is declared by the punishment denounced against it, "I ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 8 exposition of the.htm

The Books of the Old Testament as a Whole. 1 the Province of ...
... 13; Amos 5:21-24; Micah 6:6-8"denounced upon them the awful judgments of God ... 7. There
is another practical error against which Christians of the present ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xviii the books of.htm

The Historical Books.
... under Eli's administration, for which God denounced upon his family severe judgments;
the invasion ... the account of Josiah's efforts against the idolatrous ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xx the historical books.htm