1 Kings 11:40

Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.

Solomon {H8010} sought {H1245} therefore to kill {H4191} Jeroboam {H3379}. And Jeroboam {H3379} arose {H6965}, and fled {H1272} into Egypt {H4714}, unto Shishak {H7895} king {H4428} of Egypt {H4714}, and was in Egypt {H4714} until the death {H4194} of Solomon {H8010}.

Because of this Shlomo tried to kill Yarov'am; but Yarov'am roused himself, fled to Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, and stayed in Egypt until the death of Shlomo.

Solomon therefore sought to kill Jeroboam. But Jeroboam arose and fled to Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, where he remained until the death of Solomon.

Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam; but Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.

Commentary

1 Kings 11:40 marks a critical turning point in the decline of King Solomon’s glorious reign, highlighting the immediate consequences of his spiritual compromise and God’s unfolding judgment.

Historical and Cultural Context

This verse directly follows the divine pronouncements against Solomon. Despite being blessed with unparalleled wisdom and wealth, King Solomon had turned from the Lord in his later years, primarily due to the influence of his many foreign wives who led him into idolatry (1 Kings 11:1-8). As a result, God declared that He would tear the kingdom away from Solomon’s son, leaving only one tribe for the sake of David, Solomon's father (1 Kings 11:11-13).

Jeroboam was a capable and ambitious Ephraimite, whom Solomon had placed in charge of the forced labor of the house of Joseph. The prophet Ahijah had met Jeroboam and, using a torn cloak as a visual aid, prophesied that Jeroboam would rule over ten tribes of Israel (1 Kings 11:29-39). This prophecy, likely made public or discovered by Solomon, directly prompted the king's attempt to assassinate Jeroboam. Jeroboam's flight to Egypt, a traditional place of refuge for those fleeing trouble in Canaan, was a strategic move, finding asylum with Pharaoh Shishak (Sheshonk I), a powerful contemporary ruler of Egypt.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Consequences of Disobedience: Solomon's pursuit of Jeroboam is a direct manifestation of the divine judgment pronounced against him. His fear and attempt to thwart God's declared plan reveal the futility of human resistance against God's sovereign will.
  • Divine Providence: Despite Solomon's power, Jeroboam's successful escape to Egypt demonstrates God's protection over His chosen instrument, ensuring that His plan for the division of the kingdom would come to pass.
  • Foreshadowing of Division: This event sets the stage for the impending split of the united monarchy of Israel after Solomon's death, a pivotal moment in Israelite history that would lead to the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah (1 Kings 12:16).

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam" emphasizes Solomon's active and deliberate intention to eliminate the perceived threat to his dynastic security. This pursuit was driven by the knowledge of God's prophecy through Ahijah, indicating Solomon's attempt to fight against the divine decree rather than repent from his idolatry.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a powerful reminder that even those greatly blessed by God, like Solomon, can fall into sin and face severe consequences when they turn from divine commands. It underscores the truth that human efforts to counteract God's sovereign purposes are ultimately futile. For believers today, it highlights the importance of faithfulness, obedience, and trusting in God's plan, even when circumstances seem challenging. It also illustrates how God can use various means, including political refuge and personal flight, to bring about His ultimate will.

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 12:2 (3 votes)

    And it came to pass, [that] in the fifth year of king Rehoboam Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the LORD,

  • 2 Chronicles 12:9 (3 votes)

    So Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, and took away the treasures of the house of the LORD, and the treasures of the king's house; he took all: he carried away also the shields of gold which Solomon had made.

  • Isaiah 46:10 (2 votes)

    Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times [the things] that are not [yet] done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure:

  • Lamentations 3:37 (2 votes)

    ¶ Who [is] he [that] saith, and it cometh to pass, [when] the Lord commandeth [it] not?

  • Isaiah 14:24 (2 votes)

    ¶ The LORD of hosts hath sworn, saying, Surely as I have thought, so shall it come to pass; and as I have purposed, [so] shall it stand:

  • Isaiah 14:27 (2 votes)

    For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul [it]? and his hand [is] stretched out, and who shall turn it back?

  • 2 Chronicles 16:10 (2 votes)

    Then Asa was wroth with the seer, and put him in a prison house; for [he was] in a rage with him because of this [thing]. And Asa oppressed [some] of the people the same time.