after the LORD, as (did) David his father; he was not like David, who kept to the worship of God, and never joined in idolatry. 7 Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that [is] before Jerusalem, and for 8 Molech the abomination of the children of Ammon.* And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods; to oblige them all, he had some image or temple to the honour of their several 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; at Gibeon, and at Jerusalem after the prayer at 10 the dedication of the temple. And had commanded him expressly, at both those appearances, concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the 11 LORD Commanded. 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 Jeroboam. Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father's sake; to humble him still more, he tells him he did not do it for his sake, but for his father David's: [but] I will 13 rend it out of the hand of thy son. Howbeit I will not rend away all the kingdom; [but] will give one tribe to thy son for David my servant's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake which I have chosen.t 14 And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon in his old age, when he was most desirous of rest and quiet, Hadad the 15 Edomite: he [was] of the king's seed in Edom. 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 16 male in Edom; (For six months did Joab remain there with all 17 Israel, until he had cut off every male in Edom:) That Hadad fled, he and certain Edomites of his father's servants with him, 18 to go into Egypt; Hadad (being) yet a little child. And they arose out of Midian, and came to Paran, where he waited to see whether Pharaoh would receive them: and they took men with them out of Paran; he hired men, that he might appear like a prince, and have an equipage suitable to his quality; and they came to Egypt, unto Pharaoh king of Egypt; which gave him 19. an house, and appointed him victuals, and gave him land, 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 Tah20 penes the queen. 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 Pha * This was done on mount Olivet, in sight of the temple and inhabitants of Jerusalem; he was not quite so bad as to do it there and this place continued till the days of Josiah. † This was another mitigation of the punishment, that he would not rend all; but still this humbling circumstance is added, that it was for David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake † Some think he met with the more favourable réception, as he might bring with him the khowledge of some arts or sciences, which the Egyptians wanted. : 21 raoh, who showed great affection to the child. 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 22 me depart, that I may go to mine own country. Then Pharaoh said unto him, But what hast thou lacked with me, that, behold, thou seekest to go to thine own country? And he answered, Nothing: howbeit let me go in any wise.t 23 And God stirred him up (another] adversary, Rezon, the son of Eliadah, which fled from his lord Hadadezer king of Zobah; he was a general who fled when his army was beaten by David: 24 And he gathered men unto him, and became captain over a band, when David slew them [of Zobah :) and they went to Damas25 cus, and dwelt therein, and reigned in Damascus. And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, beside the mischief that Hadad [did :) and he abcorred Israel, and reigned over Syria: he was encouraged by Hadad, and brought the country round about Damascus into subjection. 26 And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, a great officer of state, (v. 28. ch. ix. 22.) whose mother's name [was] Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up [his] hand against the king; not in open rebellion, but secretly sowed the seeds of discord and faction in the tribes of which 27 he was receiver general. And this [was] the cause that he lifted up [his] hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, [and] re28 paired the breaches of the city of David his father. And the man Jeroboam [was] a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph. Solomon went to see the work, and perceiving him to be a diligent, active, bold 29 man, made him receiver general of Ephraim and Manasseh. And it came to pass at that time when Jeroboam went out of Jerusalem, where he had been to settle his accounts, that the prophet Ahijalı the Shilonite found him in the way; and he had clad himself with a new garment, that he might appear at court in a suitable dress; and they two [were] alone in the field, the servants per30 haps being sent forward: And Ahijah caught the new garment that [was] on him, and rent it (in) twelve pieces, as a prophetical 31 sign, which he proceeded to explain. And he said to Jeroboam, Take thee ten pieces: for thus saith the LORD, the God of Israel, Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solo32 mon, and will give ten tribes to thee: (But he shall have one tribell for my servant David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, * It seems that Joab was as much dreaded as David, after that terrible execution of the Edomites. + Hadad accordingly went home; and, probably at Pharaoh's intercession, Solomon permitted him to stay, and he became tributary to him. But toward the close of Solomon's reign, when he began to be old and negligent, he revolted, and grew troublesome, in order to avenge the blood of his countrymen. I David kept a garrison at Damascus; but when Solomon was grown old. he neglected his conquests, so that Rezon easily recovered the city. [ He had in fact two tribes, Benjamin being mixed with Judah; Jerusalem stood partly in both of them; they were however reckoned but one tribe, Benjamin being small. : 1 33 the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel :) Bea cause that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh 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] 34 David his father. 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 35 my commandments and my statutes :† But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand, and will give it unto thee, [even] ten 36 tribes. And unto his son I will give one tribe, that David my servant may have a light always before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me to put my name there; that there may be a succession of kings to guide my people, and cheer them by 37 their comfortable influence. And I will take thee from thy present station, and thou shalt reign according to all that thy soul desireth, in a flourishing kingdom, and shalt be king over Israel, 38 but not over Judah. And it shall be, if thou wilt hearken unto all that I command thee, and wilt walk in my ways, and do [that is] right in my sight, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as David my servant did; that I will be with thee, and build thee a sure house, as I built for David, and will give Israel 39 unto thee. And I will for this afflict the seed of David, but not for ever. His kingdom shall remain and return from captivity; and at length be established for ever, in the Messiah, as the Jewish 40 writers interpret it. Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam.|| And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, a new king, perhaps no relation to the former ; one who looked with a greedy eye upon Solomon's wealth; and after his death came and took a great part of it away; and Jeroboam was in Egypt until the death of Solomon. 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 42 Solomon? And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem, 43 over all Israel, [was] forty years. And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead. 1. F REFLECTIONS. ROM hence we learn, the dreadful consequences of indulg- • Many of the people were led away, especially the courtiers, who generally will be of the This was a sign of dotage; perhaps the prophet made no secret of it, or gave Jeroboam What signified all his wisdom, when his passions ran away with him? This melancholy story contains an awful admonition to us all. Let not those who are advanced in years think themselves quite secure; though these are properly youthful lusts, and are then most dangerous, yet caution is necessary for all. Dearly beloved, I beseech you, as pilgrims and strangers, abstain from fleshly tusts, which war against the soul. 2. In proportion to our privileges and advantages, is our guilt increased, if we break the commands of God. Solomon had great advantages by David's example and instructions; this aggravated his folly. Children of godly parents should beware; and serve the God of their fathers, and walk in their pious steps. It is observed that God appeared to him twice. Let us remember that God observes how often he has appeared to and for us, in the bounties of providence, in the checks of conscience, in the workings of the spirit, and admonitions of his word. This aggravates our guilt if we forget him, and have our hearts turned away from him. 3. All who sin against God, injure their own peace and happiness. While Solomon was virtuous, there was no adversary or evil occurrence; but when he revolted, various enemies were stirred up, God reserved this scourge for him, and when he revolted, they corrected him. Peace ends when impiety and lasciviousness begin. Sin not only separates between God and the soul, but arms innumerable enemies against us. Therefore, 4. Let those who have made the most public professions of religion, and shown great zeal in it, continue on their guard, lest they depart from God. How excellently well did Solomon begin his reign! with how much seriousness! and what a prayer did he offer! But how sadly was his glory tarnished by what is here related! it made him to set in a cloud. Let him then that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall: and let us all use great caution and watchfulness, even to the end of life. 5. Whatever the christian's enjoyments or comforts in this life are, he should long to be at home. The conduct of this Edomite suggests this to us, v. 22. He lived in ease, pomp, and splendor, and wanted nothing; but still he says, Let me go. This world is not the christian's home or rest; his heart and affections breathe after heaven; he desires to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better. The people's petition to Rehoboam, and his foolish answer; the revolt of the ten tribes from the house of David under Jeroboam, and the sinful methods he took to establish his kingdom. 1 A ND Rehoboam went to Shechem : for all Israel were 2 come to Shechem to make him king.* And it came to • The people were disposed to revolt, and therefore met at Shechem, which was in the centre of the kingdom, to make him king, upon condition that he would redress their grigys VOL. III. ances. li pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard [of it,] (for he was fled from the presence of king Solo * 3 mon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt ;) That they sent and called him; knowing his disaffection to the family of Solomon, the elders and heads of tribes sent for him, desiring the presence and assist. ance of a man who had so much reputation and interest. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto 4 Rehoboam, saying, Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve 5 thee. And he said unto them, Depart yet (for] three days, then come again to me; he took time to inquire and examine into the truth of their allegation. And the people departed. 106 And king Rehoboam consulted with the old men, his old privy counsellors, that had stood before Solomon his father while he yet lived, and said, How do ye advise that I may answer this 7 people? And they spake unto him, saying, If thou wilt be a servant unto this people this day, and wilt serve them, and answer them, and speak good words to them, then they will be thy servants for ever; give them condescending and obligDing answers, and thou wilt win their hearts, and prevent their re-. 8 volt. But he forsook the counsel of the old men, which they had given him, and consulted with the young men that were grown up with him, about his own age, [and] which stood before 9 him, whom be was fond of: And he said unto them, What counsel give ye that we may answer this people, who have spoken to me, saying, Make the yoke which thy father did put upon us *10 lighter? And the young men that were grown up with him thought the old men were timorous, and had therefore put him ирон acknowledging his father's oppression, and they spake unto him, 1. saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unte thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou [it] lighter unto tis; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little [finger] shall be thicker than my father's loins; I am determined to lay burdens upon you, as much heavier as a man's loins are larger 11 than his little finger. And now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpi12 pions.t So Jeroboam and all the people came to Rehoboam the third day, as the king had appointed, saying, Come to me again 13 the third day. And the king answered the people roughly, and 14 forsook the old men's counsel that they gave him; And spake to them after the counsel of the young men, saying, My father made your yoke heavy, and I will add to your yoke; my father [also] chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions. Thus he took their foolish advice, and answered like a • Their complaint was not against his idolatry, but of heavy taxes and oppression. We should imagine this complaint was groundless, unless his immoderate expense in maintaining such a tribe of females might burden the people, or the defence of his kingdom against his enemies, mentioned before. + These were a sort of lashes with pieces of iron fixed at the end, like a spur rowel, as some Jewish writers describe them. |