Verse 29. A chariot came up-out of Egypt for of war to too formidable a degree. Poole, however, sir hundred shekels of silver, &c.-Egypt being thinks that this great price is not to be understood then the most famous country in the world for as paid for the chariots and horses themselves, but horses and chariots, and all Asia being supplied for the lading of the chariots and horses, which, from thence, Solomon, who possessed, as it were, consisting of fine linen and silk, was of great value: the gate of Egypt, by being master of that one only and that the king's custom, together with the charges passage, the distance between the Red and the of the journey, amounted to these sums. And so Mediterranean sea, took, it seems, an advantage of for all the kings of the Hittites-A people dwelling this, to lay an excessive high tribute on all that principally in the northern and eastern parts of were brought out of Egypt that way, to supply Asia Canaan, (Josh. i. 4,) the posterity of those Hittites and the neighbouring nations; and perhaps he fixed who were driven out by the Israelites, and who this tribute so high, not only for the sake of gain, || afterward increased and grew potent, and, it may be, but to be a means of preventing the neighbouring sent out colonies, after the manner of ancient times, nations from increasing their cavalry and chariots into some parts of Syria and Arabia. Solomon's B. C. 992. CHAPTER XI. many wives turn his heart from God, 1-8. God reproves and threatens him, 9–13. Stirs up Hadad and Rezon against him, 14–25. An account of Jeroboam, 26-40. Solomon's death and burial, 41–43. a b B. C. 992. BUT King Solomon loved many go in unto them, neither shall they A. M. 3012 strange women, together with come in unto you: for surely they the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moab- will turn away your heart after their gods: ites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Solomon clave unto these in love. NOTES ON CHAPTER XI.. Verse 1. King Solomon loved many strange women-It was not a fault in him that he married Pharaoh's daughter; she being a proselyte, as is generally supposed, to the Jewish religion. But in marrying so many other women besides, he committed two sins against the law; one in multiplying Wives, and another in marrying those of strange nations, who still retained their idolatrous religion; expressly against the law, as the next which was verse declares. at last break out and infect them. Great was the foresight wherewith God endowed Moses in giving this precept, as Grotius remarks; and the not observing it was of fatal consequence to the Israelites, and laid the foundation of their utter ruin. Solomon clave unto these in love-Was extravagantly fond of them. He had much knowledge; but to what purpose, when he knew not how to govern his appetites? Verse 3. He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines--This was multiplying them prodigiously indeed, and pouring contempt on the divine prohibition in the most notorious manner. David had multiplied wives too, although to no such extent as this; but probably the bad example which he had set in this particular, had encouraged Solomon to think it, if not lawful, yet a lesser evil than it really was. One ill act of a good man may do more mischief than twenty of a wicked man. "Without knowing the customs of the princes of the East," says Dr. Dodd, "their pomp and sumptuousness of living, one might be tempted to wonder Solomon builds A. M. 3020. I. KINGS. i B. C. 984. temples to idols. 4 For it came to pass, when Solo- || for Chemosh, the abomination of A. M. 3020. mon was old, a that his wives turned Moab, in the hill that is before away his heart after other gods: and his heart Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was of the children of Ammon. the heart of David his father. e 5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after 2 Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 6 And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father. 7 Then did Solomon build a high place d Deut. xvii. 17; Neh. xiii. 26.——e Chap. viii. 61.- Chap 1x. 4. Ver. 33; Judg. ii. 13; 2 Kings xxiii. 13.- -2 Called Molech, Verse 7. 8 And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods. 9 And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, 10 And had commanded him concerning of what possible use was this milliad of wives and Milcom-The same, it is thought, with Molech, concubines. But as Solomon was between forty who is here called an abomination, because highly and fifty years old before he ran into this excess, we detested by God. Solomon built a high place for cannot but think that he kept this multitude of Chemosh-That is, an altar upon a high place, as women more for state than otherwise. Darius the manner of the heathen was. Concerning CheCodomanus was wont to carry along with him in mosh, see Num. xxi. 29. In the hill that is before his camp no less than three hundred and fifty con- || Jerusalem-In the mount of Olives, which was nigh cubines in time of war; nor was his queen offended to Jerusalem, as if to confront the temple. From at it, for the women used to reverence and adore this act this hill was called the mount of corrupher, as if she had been a goddess. Father Letion, 2 Kings xxiii. 13. O sad effects of riches and Compte, in his history of China, tells us that the emperor has a vast number of wives, chosen out of the prime beauties of the country, many of which he never so much as saw in his whole life: and, therefore, it is not improbable that Solomon, as he found his riches increase, might enlarge his ex-wives-For what he granted to one, the others penses, and endeavour to surpass all the princes of his time in this, as well as in all other kinds of pomp and magnificence." He was guilty, however, of a flagrant violation of the divine law. Verse 4. For it came to pass when Solomon was old, &c.-Having now reigned nigh thirty years, when it might have been expected that experience would have made him wiser; then God suffered him to fall so shamefully, that he might to all succeeding generations be an example of the folly and weakness of the wisest and the best men, when left|| to themselves. His wives turned away his heart after other gods-Not that they altered his judgment respecting the true God and idols, which is not credible; but they obtained from him a public indulgence for their idol-worship, and possibly persuaded him to join with them sometimes in the outward acts of it; or at least, in their feasts upon their sacrifices, which was a participation of their idolatry. And his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God-He did not entirely forsake the service of Jehovah, but joined the worship of other gods with him, which he never could have done, after the true knowledge which he had of God, and the solemn profession he had made of adherence to him, unless he had been greatly fallen. prosperity on mankind! How insolent do they make them, and how forgetful of God! Wisely did Agar pray, Give me not riches, lest I be full and say, Who is the Lord? Verse 8. And likewise did he for all his strange would be disposed to claim, or else complain of his unkindness to them. One would have expected from his wisdom and piety rather to have found him instrumental in converting them all to his religion, than to be himself seduced to theirs! But, alas! he does not appear to have taken any pains with them for any such purpose, being too much given up to his pleasures, and thinking, perhaps, that he could reconcile his religion with theirs, and find a good meaning in all their superstitions. And sacrificed unto their gods-See what need those have to stand upon their guard, who have been eminent for religion. The devil will set upon them most violently; and if they miscarry, the reproach is the greater. It is the evening that commends the day. Let us therefore fear, lest, having run well, we come short. Verses 9, 10. The Lord was angry with Solomon Displeased with his actions, and determined to punish him for them; in which sense we are generally to understand such expressions, for we must always remember that human passions can have no place in God. Because his heart was turned from the Lord, who had appeared to him twice-First at Gibeon, in the beginning of his reign, (chap. iii. 5,) and then at Jerusalem, after the building of the temple. And had commanded him concerning this thing Verses 5-7. Solomon went after Ashtoreth-Call--For in both those visions, the happiness promised ed also Astarte. See on Judges ii. 13. And after him was declared to depend upon his observing God's The Lord threatens to deprive B. C. 984. CHAPTER XI. A. M. 3020. this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded. 11 Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. 12 Notwithstanding, in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son. Verses 11-13. Wherefore the Lord said unto Solomon-Probably by some prophet. I will surely read the kingdom from thee, and give it to thy sertant-Namely, Jeroboam, whom God permitted to rise into power and influence, that he might take the greatest part of his kingdom from him. This was enough to astonish Solomon, or any man, to hear that all his splendour should be so soon eclipsed! Notwithstanding, in thy days I will not do it-Or, not suffer it to be done; for in this sense these expressions are to be taken. For David thy father's sake―For my promise made to him. But will give me tribe to thy son―The tribe of Judah. Benjamin was not entirely his, but part of it adhered to Jeroboam, as Beth-el, chap. xii. 29; and Hephron, 2 Chron. xiii. 19; both which were towns of Benjamin. For David my servant's sake-Who, though he was guilty of great sins, yet never forsook God to follow the abominations of idols; nor ever swerved long from God's commandments, but made haste to repent and amend his ways, whenever he offended. And for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen-Not literally, for the sake of the city Jerusalem, but for the great and precious purposes to mankind in general, which God intended to bring about, in his divine providence, by keeping up the knowledge of himself at Jerusalem. Verse 14. The Lord stirred up an adversary to Solomon-All his glory, and riches, and human wisdom availed nothing to preserve his kingdom entire to his posterity, when he turned away from keeping God's covenant, and fell into idolatry. Hadad the t him of the kingdom. B. C. 984. 14 And the LORD stirred up an A. M. 3020. adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite: he was of the king's seed in Edom. 15 For it came to pass, when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury the slain, "after he had smitten every male in Edom; 16 (For six months did Joab remain there with all Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom :) 17 That Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father's servants with him, to go into Egypt; Hadad being yet a little child. 18 And they arose out of Midian, and came to Paran: and they took men with them out of Paran, and they came to Egypt, unto Edomite-A young prince of the royal family of Idumea, who fled into Egypt when David conquered that country; and, finding favour with the king, settled there. Verses 15-17. When David was in Edom-By his army to war against it; and Joab was gone up to bury the slain-The Israelites who were slain in the battle, (2 Sam. viii. 13, 14,) whom he honourably interred in some certain place, to which he is said to go up for that end. And this gave Hadad the opportunity of making his escape, while Joab and his men were all employed in the solemnity. After he had smitten, &c.—Or, and he smole, as it is in the Hebrew: which is here observed as the cause of Hadad's flight; he understood what Joab had done in part, and intended further to do, even to kill all the males, and therefore filed for his life. With all Israel-That is, with all his army. Until he had cut off every male-That bore arms; for it is hardly to be thought that they cut off all the male children and youths. That Hadad fled-While Joab was busy in giving a solemn burial to the Israelites, certain Edomites took the opportunity to carry Hadad into Egypt. Verse 18. They arose out of Midian-They first went into Midian and stayed there a while, probably that they might send from thence to know whether Pharaoh would give them entertainment and protection. And came to Paran-Another country in the road from Edom to Egypt, where he hired men to attend him, probably either as guides, or that, making his entrance into Egypt in some degree like a prince, he might find more favour from the king and people. Which gave him a house, &c.-According to the manner of generous princes, who pity noble persons that are in distress, Pharaoh not only assigned him a house, and kept a table for him, that he might want nothing, but also gave him land, that out of the revenues of it he might provide himself an equipage suitable to his quality. Hadad, Rezon, and Jeroboam B. C. 984. I. KINGS. 6 become adversaries to Solomon. B. C. 984. A. M. 3020. Pharaoh king of Egypt; which gave || answered, Nothing: howbeit, let me A. M. 3020. him a house, and appointed him go in any wise. victuals, and gave him land. 19 And Hadad found great favour in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him to wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen. 20 And the sister of Tahpenes bare him Genubath his son, whom Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh's house: and Genubath was in Pharaoh's household among the sons of Pharaoh. 21 And when Hadad heard in Egypt that David slept with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead, Hadad said to Pharaoh, Let me depart, that I may go to mine own country. 22 Then Pharaoh said unto him, But what hast thou lacked with me, that, behold, thou seekest to go to thine own country? And he 23 And God stirred him up another adver¶ sary, Rezon the son of Elidah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah : 24 And he gathered men unto him, and became captain over a band, when David slew them of Zobah: and they went to Damascus, and dwelt therein, and reigned in Damascus. 25 And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, besides the mischief that Hadad did: and he abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria. 26 And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king. 27 And this was the cause that he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built C z 2 Samuel viii. 3; x. 8, 18.—a Chap. xii. 2; 2 Chron. xiii. 6. b 2 Sam. xx. 21.- - Chap. ix. 24. Verses 19, 20. Hadad found great favour in the Damascus-And took it while Solomon was walsight of Pharaoh-God so disposing Pharaoh's lowing in luxury: David had put a garrison into heart, that Hadad might be a scourge to Solomon for Damascus, and brought the people under tribute, 2 his impieties. Here Hadad married the sister of Sam. viii. 5, 6; and so they probably continued durTahpenes the queen, who bare him a son. Whom ing his life, and were subject to Solomon after his Tahpenes weaned in Pharaoh's house-Having as death, till that prince, doting upon strange women, great a fondness for the child, as the king had for his minded not the defence of his conquests. This Refather; and kept the feast generally made at the zon took advantage of, and invaded and got possesweaning of a child. In all these things the provision of Damascus, and reigned there, as Hadad did dence of God was conspicuous, thus causing Hadad and his family to rise into power and influence, that he might give the greater trouble to Solomon. Verses 21, 22. Hadad said-Let me depart, that I may go to my own country-To Edom, which he hoped to recover, now that the great enemies of it, David and Joab, (whom he feared as much as David,) were dead, and Solomon was young. Thither he accordingly came; and was there even from the beginning of Solomon's reign. And, it is probable, by the near relation which was between his wife and Solomon's, and by Pharaoh's intercession, he obtained his kingdom with condition of subjection and tribute to be paid by him to Solomon; which condition he kept till Solomon fell from God, and then began to be troublesome and dangerous to his house and kingdom. in Edom. Verse 25. He was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon-This, perhaps, is not to be understood of the whole reign of Solomon, which for the most part was peaceable, but of all the days which remained of his life, from the time that his wives publicly exercised their idolatry, unto the day of his death. Or, it may mean, that he was a secret enemy all that time, and when Solomon had forsaken God, he showed himself openly. Besides the mischief that Hadad did-This infelicity was added to the former; while Hadad molested him in the south, Rezon threatened him in the north. But what hurt could Hadad or Rezon have done to so powerful a king as Solomon, if he had not by sin made himself mean and weak? If God be on our side, we need not fear the greatest adversary; but if he be against Verses 23, 24. Which fled from his lord Hadade- us, he can make us fear the least; yea, the grasszer--When David had defeated him. King of Zo-hopper shall be a burden. And reigned over Syria bah--A part of Syria, between Damascus and Eu-Over all that part of Syria, enlarging his empire phrates. And he gathered men unto him--Some of the more, and thereby laying a foundation for much those that fled when David defeated Hadadezer, 2 misery to Solomon's kingdom. Sam. x. 18. And became captain over a band—Who listed themselves under him as their commander, with others, who readily joined them, and lived by robbery, as many Arabians did. And they went to Verses 26-28. Even he lifted up his hand against the king-Probably made some secret attempts to raise a dissatisfaction against Solomon; for we do not read of any open attempt. And this was the God threatens to take CHAPTER XI. the kingdom from his seed. AM. 3024. Millo, and repaired the breaches of the city of David his father. B. C.950. B. C. 980. 33 Because that they have for- A. M. 3024 saken me, and have worshipped 28 And the man Jeroboam was a mighty || Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Che B. C. 980. man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young 30 And Ahijah caught the new garment that 32 (But he shall have one tribe for my ser- mosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father. 34 Howbeit, I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand: but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David my servant's sake, whom I chose, because he kept my commandments and my statutes: 35 But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes. 36 And unto his son will I give one tribe, that David my servant may have a 10 light always before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there. 37 And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, and shalt be king over Israel. Verses 5, 7.-h Chap. xii. 16.-1 Kings xv. 4; 2 Kings viii. 19 Psa. cxxxii. 17.- 10 Heb. lamp, or, candle. cause, &c.-This was the occasion of Jeroboam's Verses 30-32. And rent it in twelve pieces-An advancement, as it follows in the next verse. Solo- emblem of what he was to acquaint him with; or mon built Millo, &c.-Solomon, being engaged in rather a prediction of it. For there were two ways, many buildings, made choice of such as he judged in those ancient times, of foretelling future events; were fit persons to oversee his works; among whom one in express words, the other by signs and resemJeroboam was one. A mighty man of valour-Of blances, many instances of which we have often great courage and strength of body. Solomon see- after this of Ahijah. And will give ten tribes to thee ing-that he was industrious-Very diligent in the Hence it is generally called, the kingdom of the business wherein he had employed him, of overlook-ten tribes. But he shall have one tribe-Besides ing his works. He made him ruler, &c.--Set him his own. Or Benjamin and Judah may be lookover those of the tribe of Benjamin who were em- ed upon as but one tribe, both of them having a ployed in carrying stones, &c., for Solomon's build- share in the city of Jerusalem, and lying near one ings; or over the taxes and tributes which were another. to be collected of the house of Joseph, that is, of Ephraim and Manasseh, or of Ephraim only, termed here, as often elsewhere, the house of Joseph. Verse 29. When Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem | -Probably to execute his charge. The Prophet Ahijah found him-Met with him as he was going along. "Ahijah was a native of Shiloh, and one of those who wrote the annals of King Solomon's reign, 2 Chron. ix. 29. And he is thought to have been the person who spake twice to Solomon from God, once while he was building the temple, (chap. vi. 12,) and again when he fell into his irregularities," verse 11. They two were alone in the field-Having gone aside for private conference; for otherwise Jerobeam's servants, (it being most likely he had serVants attending him,) if they heard not the words, might have seen the action of rending his coat, and thus the matter might have come to Solomon's ears. Verse 34. I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hands-Solomon held even the ten tribes as long as he lived. But I will make him prince all the days of his life-This was an admonition to Jeroboam not to molest Solomon in his life-time, by raising a rebellion against him; and also to walk in God's ways as David did, and not fall into idolatry; for which sin God resolved to punish Solomon so severely as to rend the greatest part of his kingdom from his posterity. For David my servant's sake -Not for his own sake; he had forfeited his crown to the justice of God; but for his father's sake. "Children that do not tread in their parents' steps," says Henry, "yet often fare the better in this world for their good parents' piety." Verse 37. I will take thee-From the condition wherein thou art, and place thee on a throne, as here follows. Thou shalt reign according to all |