“1 Kings 11: Solomon Turns from the Lord,” Old Testament Seminary Student Study Guide (2002), 107
“1 Kings 11,” Old Testament Seminary Student Study Guide, 107
Solomon Turns from the Lord
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.
Studying the Scriptures
Do activities A and B as you study 1 Kings 11.
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Marriage out of the Covenant
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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?
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Give an example of how this principle applies today in your age group.
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What 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).