1 Kings 11:41

¶ 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?

And the rest {H3499} of the acts {H1697} of Solomon {H8010}, and all that he did {H6213}, and his wisdom {H2451}, are they not written {H3789} in the book {H5612} of the acts {H1697} of Solomon {H8010}?

Other activities of Shlomo, all he accomplished and his wisdom are recorded in the Annals of Shlomo.

As for the rest of the acts of Solomon—all that he did, as well as his wisdom—are they not written in the Book of the Acts of Solomon?

Now 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?

Commentary

1 Kings 11:41 serves as a concluding editorial note regarding the reign of King Solomon, indicating that a more comprehensive account of his actions and renowned wisdom could be found in another historical document of the time. This verse marks the end of the detailed narrative concerning Solomon's life and reign within the book of 1 Kings, preparing the reader for the transition to the subsequent kings and the divided monarchy.

Context

This verse appears immediately before the summary of Solomon's death and the succession of his son Rehoboam. Chapter 11 has painstakingly detailed Solomon's moral decline, particularly his deviation from God's commands by accumulating many foreign wives and allowing them to lead him into idolatry (1 Kings 11:1-8). Despite this fall, the verse acknowledges his "wisdom" and "acts," referring to the full scope of his complex reign, which began with great promise and divine favor (1 Kings 3:9-12).

Key Themes

  • Biblical Historiography: The Bible, particularly the books of Kings and Chronicles, often references external, non-canonical historical sources. This verse points to the "book of the acts of Solomon," which was likely a royal chronicle or court record. This demonstrates the historical groundedness of the biblical narrative, which drew upon existing records.
  • Completeness of Records: While the Bible provides a divinely inspired account, it does not claim to be an exhaustive historical document of every single event. It focuses on what is spiritually significant for understanding God's relationship with His people. This verse acknowledges that more extensive secular records existed for those who wished to consult them.
  • Solomon's Enduring Legacy: Despite his later spiritual failings, Solomon's initial wisdom and grand accomplishments, such as building the Temple, remained significant parts of his historical "acts" (1 Kings 6:1). The verse encapsulates the breadth of his reign, encompassing both the glorious and the regrettable aspects.

Linguistic Insight

The phrase "book of the acts of Solomon" translates from the Hebrew sefer divrei Shlomo (סֵפֶר דִּבְרֵי שְׁלֹמֹה). Sefer means "book" or "scroll," and divrei can mean "words," "matters," or "affairs." This refers to official chronicles or annals, a common practice in ancient Near Eastern kingdoms to record the events and decrees of their rulers. Similar references are made throughout Kings and Chronicles for other monarchs (e.g., 1 Kings 14:29 concerning Rehoboam).

Practical Application

This verse reminds us that the biblical narrative is purposeful. It doesn't aim to be a comprehensive secular history but a theological history, highlighting God's interaction with humanity and the consequences of obedience and disobedience. It encourages us to appreciate the Bible's focus on spiritual truths while acknowledging the broader historical context. For King Solomon, his story serves as a powerful reminder that even those greatly blessed with wisdom and opportunity can fall if they do not remain steadfast in their devotion to God (Proverbs 3:5-6).

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 2 Chronicles 9:29

    Now the rest of the acts of Solomon, first and last, [are] they not written in the book of Nathan the prophet, and in the prophecy of Ahijah the Shilonite, and in the visions of Iddo the seer against Jeroboam the son of Nebat?

  • 2 Chronicles 9:31

    And Solomon slept with his fathers, and he was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.
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