1 Kings 11
DOYLY1 Kings 11:15
- — when David was in Edom.] For the purpose of conquering the country, 2 Sam. viii. 14.
1 Kings 11:25
- — he was an adversary — all the days of Solomon.] This is not to be understood of the whole reign of Solomon, which was for the most part peaceable; but of all the days which now remained of his life, from the time that his wives publicly exercised their idolatry, unto the day of his death. Bp. Patrick.
1 Kings 11:28
- — made him ruler over all the — house of Joseph.] Solomon appointed him to superintend the revenue of “the house of Joseph,” that is, the tribes of Ephraim and Manasseh. The Hebrew writers say, that this advancement made him the more presumptuous in instilling discontent into the people, who were needlessly
thine own country? And he answered, † Nothing: howbeit let me go in any wise.
1 Kings 11:29
- — Ahijah the Shilonite] Ahijah was a native of Shiloh, and one of those who wrote the annals of king Solomon’s reign, 2 Chron. ix. 29: he is thought to have been the person who spake twice to Solomon from God; once when he was building the temple, at which time He promised him His protection, 1 Kings vi. 12; and at another time when he had fallen into all his irregularities, and God expressed His indignation against him in bitter threats and reproaches, 1 Kings xi. 11. Calmet.
1 Kings 11:30
- — and rent it in twelve pieces:] By this action, the Prophet conveyed his meaning more forcibly than by words. This is the first symbolical action we meet with in any Prophet; but in afterages, instances of this kind became more frequent. The people of the East,
Solomon’s adversaries. His acts, reign, and death. Before CHRIST about 980.
1 Kings 11:36
- — that David — may have a light alway before me] Meaning, that the posterity of David may not be entirely extinct, that his race may not remain in obscurity and oblivion. By a “light,” or “a lamp,” in Scripture, is sometimes signified a posterity, Ps. cxxxii. 17; Prov. xiii. 9; and sometimes reputation, glory, kingdom, 2 Kings viii. 19; 2 Sam. xxii. 29. Calmet.
1 Kings 11:40
- Solomon sought therefore &c.] How Solomon became acquainted with what had passed between Ahijah and Jeroboam, is a question of no great importance: perhaps the Prophet made no scruple of reporting what he had done in the name of the Lord; and perhaps Jeroboam himself, being puffed up with this assurance, could not refrain from telling what had happened to some of his friends, who spread it abroad. Stackhouse.
— unto Shishak king of Egypt,] Egypt appears to have been at this time a common place of refuge for discontented persons. All the kings of Egypt had the general title of Pharaoh, from the time of Abraham; and this is the first instance of any one being called in Scripture by his proper or individual name, to distinguish him from the other Pharaohs. It is thought by some learned persons that the Shishak here mentioned is the famous Sesostris, who, having subdued Ethiopia,
rusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there.
1 Kings 11:41
- — in the book of the acts of Solomon?] The kings of Israel were accustomed to maintain some wise persons, who committed to writing all that passed in their reign. Perhaps this practice was begun by Solomon; for we read not of any book of the acts of David. Out of these annals, the sacred writer of this book took what he thought most useful, and omitted the rest, which he did not judge so necessary and instructive. Bp. Patrick.
It should be well observed, that the matters related in these historical books of Scripture entirely agree with the publick records which were extant among the people: this is manifest, if we consider how often the sacred penmen refer us to the histories and annals of those kings of whom they speak, and of whom they only quote the principal stories in short, while they pursue their main design, of bringing under one view the state of religion and government among the Jews. Dean Allix.
1 Kings 11:43
- And Solomon slept with his fathers,] He is thought to have been about fifty-eight years of age when he died. Stackhouse. He lost the great privilege of long life, which God promised, if he performed such sincere obedience, as David did, unto whose age he did not attain. Bp. Patrick.
Thus ended the reign of this prince, so remarkable for an uncommon degree of abilities and greatness; yet stained and tarnished with the foulest vices and imprudences. Pyle.
Solomon in wisdom and knowledge surpassed all 
Published by the Society for Preaching Christian Knowledge. Department of Church, London, 1855