1 Kings 11

5. Solomon went after Ashtoreth, etc. It appears surprising that a man so eminent for wisdom should fall into idolatry. But his too intimate connexion with neighbouring nations, the enervating influence of prosperity and luxury, the debasing power of sensual indulgence—all probably combined to draw away his heart from the Eternal. Such is the folly of the wisest of men, when he forgets God.

11 the Lord said. Perhaps by the prophet Ahijah: see vers. 29, 30.

26. Jeroboam the son of Nebat, etc. Ahijah’s prophecy (31) was no excuse for Jeroboam’s conduct; for he was told at the same time that the disruption of the kingdom was not to take place till after Solomon’s decease (34). But Jeroboam seems to have been too eager to seize the promised prize, and unwilling to wait till the appointed time.

28 made him ruler. Jeroboam was overseer either over the levies of men for the royal works, or over the collection of the tribute (or perhaps both).

29. Shilonite. That is, a native or inhabitant of Shiloh: see xiv. 2; see also 2 Chron. ix. 29.

30 caught the new garment. The Septuagint has, “Ahijah had clad himself.” Probably the outer garment.

32 he shall have one tribe. The taking away of ten tribes would leave two: but Simeon was so incorporated with Judah as almost to be regarded as one with it.

39 but not for ever. For in Christ the kingdom of David is established in far greater glory.

40. Shishak. This is the first time that we find the proper (not the titular) name of an Egyptian sovereign in the Scriptures; unless Ranteses, in Gen. xlvii. 11, be the name, not of a district, but of the king. Shishak or Sheshonk was the first king of the twenty-second Bubastite dynasty. In the temple at Karnak may be seen his sculptures recording the names of the conquered cities in Palestine.