1V tom král Šalomoun zamiloval ženy cizozemky mnohé, i dceru Faraonovu, i Moábské, Ammonitské, Idumejské, Sidonské a Hetejské, 2Z národů těch, kteréž zapověděl Hospodin synům Izraelským, řka: Nebudete se směšovati s nimi, aniž se oni budou směšovati s vámi, neboť by naklonili srdce vaše k bohům svým. K těm přilnul Šalomoun milostí, 3Tak že měl žen královen sedm set a ženin tři sta. I odvrátily ženy jeho srdce jeho. 4Stalo se tedy, že když se zstaral Šalomoun, ženy jeho naklonily srdce jeho k bohům cizím, tak že nebylo srdce jeho celé při Hospodinu Bohu jeho, jako bylo srdce Davida otce jeho. 5Ale obrátil se Šalomoun k Astarot, bohyni Sidonské, a k Moloch, ohavnosti Ammonské. 6I činil Šalomoun to, což se nelíbilo Hospodinu, a nenásledoval cele Hospodina, jako David otec jeho. 7Tedy vystavěl Šalomoun výsost Chámosovi, ohavnosti Moábské, na hoře, kteráž jest naproti Jeruzalému, a Molochovi, ohavnosti synů Ammon. 8A tak vzdělal všechněm ženám svým z cizího národu, kteréž kadily a obětovaly bohům svým. 9I rozhněval se Hospodin na Šalomouna, proto že se uchýlilo srdce jeho od Hospodina Boha Izraelského, kterýž se jemu byl ukázal po dvakrát, 10A zapověděl jemu tu věc, aby nechodil po bozích cizích. Ale neostříhal toho, což byl přikázal Hospodin. 11Protož řekl Hospodin Šalomounovi: Poněvadž se to nalezlo při tobě, a neostříhal jsi smlouvy mé ani ustanovení mých, kterážť jsem přikázal, věz, že odtrhnu království toto od tebe, a dám je služebníku tvému. 12A však za dnů tvých neučiním toho pro Davida otce tvého, než z ruky syna tvého odtrhnu je. 13Všeho pak království neodtrhnu, ale pokolení jednoho zanechám synu tvému pro Davida služebníka svého a pro Jeruzalém, kterýž jsem vyvolil. 14A tak vzbudil Hospodin protivníka Šalomounovi, Adada Idumejského z semene královského, kterýž byl v zemi Idumejské. 15Nebo stalo se, když bojoval David proti Idumejským, a Joáb kníže vojska vytáhl, aby pochoval zmordované, a pobil všecky pohlaví mužského v zemi Idumejské, 16(Za šest zajisté měsíců byl tam Joáb se vším lidem Izraelským, dokudž nevyplénil všech pohlaví mužského v zemi Idumejské), 17Že tehdáž utekl Adad sám, a někteří muži Idumejští z služebníků otce jeho s ním, aby šli do Egypta. Adad pak byl pachole neveliké. 18Kteříž jdouce z Madian, přišli do Fáran, a vzavše s sebou některé muže z Fáran, přišli do Egypta k Faraonovi, králi Egyptskému, kterýž dal jemu dům, i stravou opatřil ho, dal jemu také i zemi. 19A tak nalezl Adad milost velikou před Faraonem, tak že jemu dal za manželku sestru ženy své, sestru Tafnes královny. 20I porodila jemu sestra Tafnes syna Genubata, a odchovala ho Tafnes v domu Faraonovu. I byl Genubat v domě Faraonově mezi syny Faraonovými. 21Když pak uslyšel Adad v Egyptě, že by usnul David s otci svými, a že umřel i Joáb kníže vojska, tedy řekl Adad Faraonovi: Propusť mne, ať jdu do země své. 22Jemuž řekl Farao: Čehožť se nedostává u mne, že chceš odjíti do země své? I řekl: Ničeho, a však vždy mne propusť. 23Vzbudil ještě Bůh proti němu protivníka, Rázona syna Eliadova, kterýž byl utekl od Hadarezera krále Soby, pána svého, 24A shromáždiv k sobě muže, byl knížetem roty, když je David hubil. Protož odšedše do Damašku, bydlili v něm a kralovali v Damašku. 25I byl protivníkem Izraelovým po všecky dny Šalomounovy; a to bylo nad to zlé, kteréž mu činil Adad. I měl v ošklivosti Izraele, když kraloval v Syrii. 26Jeroboám také syn Nebatův Efratejský z Sareda, (a jméno matky jeho ženy vdovy bylo Serua), služebník Šalomounův, pozdvihl ruky proti králi. 27A tato byla příčina, pro kterouž pozdvihl ruky proti králi Šalomounovi: Že vystavěv Šalomoun Mello, zavřel mezeru města Davidova otce svého. 28Jeroboám pak byl muž silný a udatný. Protož vida Šalomoun mládence, že by pracovitý byl, ustanovil ho nade všemi platy z domu Jozefa. 29I stalo se téhož času, že když vyšel Jeroboám z Jeruzaléma, našel jej prorok Achiáš Silonský na cestě, jsa odín rouchem novým. A byli sami dva na poli. 30Tedy ujav Achiáš roucho nové, kteréž měl na sobě, roztrhal je na dvanácte kusů. 31A řekl Jeroboámovi: Vezmi sobě deset kusů; nebo takto praví Hospodin Bůh Izraelský: Aj, já roztrhnu království z ruky Šalomounovy, a dám tobě desatero pokolení. 32Jedno toliko pokolení zůstane jemu pro služebníka mého Davida, a pro město Jeruzalém, kteréž jsem vyvolil ze všech pokolení Izraelských, 33Proto že opustili mne, a klaněli se Astarot bohyni Sidonské, a Chámos bohu Moábskému, i Moloch bohu Ammonskému, a nechodili po cestách mých, aby činili to, což mi se líbí, totiž ustanovení má a soudy mé, jako David otec jeho. 34A však neodejmu ničeho z království z rukou jemu; nebo vůdcím zanechám ho po všecky dny života jeho pro Davida služebníka svého, kteréhož jsem vyvolil, kterýž ostříhal přikázaní mých a ustanovení mých. 35Ale potom vezma království z ruky syna jeho, dám tobě z něho desatero pokolení, 36Synu pak jeho dám jedno pokolení, aby zůstala svíce Davidovi služebníku mému po všecky dny přede mnou v městě Jeruzalémě, kteréž jsem sobě vyvolil, aby tam jméno mé přebývalo. 37A tak tebe vezmu, abys kraloval ve všech věcech, kterýchž by žádala duše tvá, a budeš králem nad Izraelem. 38Protož jestliže uposlechneš všeho toho, což přikáži tobě, a choditi budeš po cestách mých, a činiti to, což mi se líbí, ostříhaje ustanovení mých a přikázaní mých, jako činil David služebník můj: budu s tebou a vzdělám tobě dům stálý, jako jsem vzdělal Davidovi, a dám tobě lid Izraelský. 39Potrápímť zajisté semene Davidova pro tu věc, a však ne po všecky dny. 40Pro tu příčinu chtěl Šalomoun zabiti Jeroboáma. Kterýž vstav, utekl do Egypta k Sesákovi králi Egyptskému, a byl v Egyptě, dokudž neumřel Šalomoun. 41Jiné pak věci Šalomounovy, kteréž činil, i moudrost jeho vypsány jsou v knize činů Šalomounových. 42Dnů pak, v nichž kraloval Šalomoun v Jeruzalémě nade vším Izraelem, bylo čtyřidceti let. 43I usnul Šalomoun s otci svými, a pochován jest v městě Davida otce svého. Kraloval pak Roboám syn jeho místo něho.
Jamieson Fausset Brown Bible Commentary 1 SOLOMON'S WIVES AND CONCUBINES IN HIS OLD AGE. (
1Kgs 11:1-8)
But King Solomon loved many strange women--Solomon's extraordinary gift of wisdom was not sufficient to preserve him from falling into grievous and fatal errors. A fairer promise of true greatness, a more beautiful picture of juvenile piety, never was seen than that which he exhibited at the commencement of his reign. No sadder, more humiliating, or awful spectacle can be imagined than the besotted apostasy of his old age; and to him may be applied the words of Paul (
Gal 3:3), of John (
Rev 3:17), and of Isaiah (
Isa 14:21). A love of the world, a ceaseless round of pleasure, had insensibly corrupted his heart, and produced, for a while at least, a state of mental darkness. The grace of God deserted him; and the son of the pious David--the religiously trained child of Bath-sheba (
Pro 31:1-
Pro 31:3), and pupil of Nathan, instead of showing the stability of sound principle and mature experience became at last an old and foolish king (
Eccl 4:13). His fall is traced to his "love of many strange women." Polygamy was tolerated among the ancient Hebrews; and, although in most countries of the East, the generality of men, from convenience and economy, confine themselves to one woman, yet a number of wives is reckoned as an indication of wealth and importance, just as a numerous stud of horses and a grand equipage are among us. The sovereign, of course, wishes to have a more numerous harem than any of his subjects; and the female establishments of many Oriental princes have, both in ancient and modern times, equalled or exceeded that of Solomon's. It is probable, therefore, that, in conformity with Oriental notions, he resorted to it as a piece of state magnificence. But in him it was unpardonable, as it was a direct and outrageous violation of the divine law (
Deut 17:17), and the very result which that statute was ordained to prevent was realized in him. His marriage with the daughter of Pharaoh is not censured either here or elsewhere (see on
1Kgs 3:1). It was only his love for many strange women; for women, though in the East considered inferiors, exert often a silent but powerful seductive influence over their husbands in the harem, as elsewhere, and so it was exemplified in Solomon.
3 he had seven hundred wives, princesses--They were, probably, according to an existing custom, the daughters of tributary chiefs, given as hostages for good conduct of their fathers.
concubines--were legitimate, but lower or secondary wives. These the chief or first wife regards without the smallest jealousy or regret, as they look up to her with feelings of respectful submission. Solomon's wives became numerous, not all at once, but gradually. Even at an early period his taste for Oriental show seems to have led to the establishment of a considerable harem (
Song 6:8).
4 when Solomon was old--He could not have been more than fifty.
his wives turned away his heart after other gods--Some, considering the lapse of Solomon into idolatry as a thing incredible, regard him as merely humoring his wives in the practice of their superstition; and, in countenancing their respective rites by his presence, as giving only an outward homage--a sensible worship, in which neither his understanding nor his heart was engaged. The apology only makes matters worse, as it implies an adding of hypocrisy and contempt of God to an open breach of His law. There seems no possibility of explaining the language of the sacred historian, but as intimating that Solomon became an actual and open idolater, worshipping images of wood or stone in sight of the very temple which, in early life, he had erected to the true God. Hence that part of Olivet was called the high place of Tophet (
Jer 7:30-
Jer 7:34), and the hill is still known as the Mount of Offense, of the Mount of Corruption (
2Kgs 23:13).
5 Ashtoreth--Astarte,
Milcom--Molech,
and Chemosh--He built altars for these three; but, although he is described (
1Kgs 11:8) as doing the same for "all his strange wives," there is no evidence that they had idols distinct from these; and there is no trace whatever of Egyptian idolatry.
8 burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods--The first was considered a higher act of homage, and is often used as synonymous with worship (
2Kgs 22:17;
2Kgs 23:5).
9 GOD THREATENS HIM. (
1Kgs 11:9-13)
the Lord was angry with Solomon--The divine appearance, first at Gibeon [
1Kgs 3:5], and then at Jerusalem [
1Kgs 9:2], after the dedication of the temple, with the warnings given him on both occasions [
1Kgs 3:11-14;
1Kgs 9:3-9], had left Solomon inexcusable; and it was proper and necessary that on one who had been so signally favored with the gifts of Heaven, but who had grossly abused them, a terrible judgment should fall. The divine sentence was announced to him probably by Ahijah; but there was mercy mingled with judgment, in the circumstance, that it should not be inflicted on Solomon personally--and that a remnant of the kingdom should be spared--"for David's sake, and for Jerusalem's sake, which had been chosen" to put God's name there; not from a partial bias in favor of either, but that the divine promise might stand (
2Sam 7:12-16).
13 I will give one tribe to thy son--There were left to Rehoboam the tribes of Judah, Benjamin, and Levi (
2Chr 11:12-13); and multitudes of Israelites, who, after the schism of the kingdom, established their residence within the territory of Judah to enjoy the privileges of the true religion (
1Kgs 12:17). These are all reckoned as one tribe.
14 SOLOMON'S ADVERSARIES. (1Ki. 11:14-40)
the Lord stirred up an adversary--that is, permitted him, through the impulse of his own ambition, or revenge, to attack Israel. During the war of extermination, which Joab carried on in Edom (
2Sam 8:13), this Hadad, of the royal family, a mere boy when rescued from the sword of the ruthless conqueror, was carried into Egypt, hospitably entertained, and became allied with the house of the Egyptian king. In after years, the thought of his native land and his lost kingdom taking possession of his mind, he, on learning the death of David and Joab, renounced the ease, possessions, and glory of his Egyptian residence, to return to Edom and attempt the recovery of his ancestral throne. The movements of this prince seem to have given much annoyance to the Hebrew government; but as he was defeated by the numerous and strong garrisons planted throughout the Edomite territory, Hadad seems to have offered his services to Rezon, another of Solomon's adversaries (
1Kgs 11:23-25). This man, who had been general of Hadadezer and, on the defeat of that great king, had successfully withdrawn a large force, went into the wilderness, led a predatory life, like Jephthah, David, and others, on the borders of the Syrian and Arabian deserts. Then, having acquired great power, he at length became king in Damascus, threw off the yoke, and was "the adversary of Israel all the days of Solomon." He was succeeded by Hadad, whose successors took the official title of Ben-hadad from him, the illustrious founder of the powerful kingdom of Damascene-Syria. These hostile neighbors, who had been long kept in check by the traditional fame of David's victories, took courage; and breaking out towards the latter end of Solomon's reign, they must have not only disturbed his kingdom by their inroads, but greatly crippled his revenue by stopping his lucrative traffic with Tadmor and the Euphrates.
26 Jeroboam--This was an internal enemy of a still more formidable character. He was a young man of talent and energy, who, having been appointed by Solomon superintendent of the engineering works projected around Jerusalem, had risen into public notice, and on being informed by a very significant act of the prophet Ahijah of the royal destiny which, by divine appointment, awaited him, his mind took a new turn.
29 clad--rather, "wrapped up." The meaning is, "Ahijah, the Shilonite, the prophet, went and took a fit station in the way; and, in order that he might not be known, he wrapped himself up, so as closely to conceal himself, in a new garment, a surtout, which he afterwards tore in twelve pieces." Notwithstanding this privacy, the story, and the prediction connected with it [
1Kgs 11:30-39], probably reached the king's ears; and Jeroboam became a marked man [
1Kgs 11:40]. His aspiring ambition, impatient for the death of Solomon, led him to form plots and conspiracies, in consequence of which he was compelled to flee to Egypt. Though chosen of God, he would not wait the course of God's providence, and therefore incurred the penalty of death by his criminal rebellion. The heavy exactions and compulsory labor (
1Kgs 11:28) which Solomon latterly imposed upon his subjects, when his foreign resources began to fail, had prepared the greater part of the kingdom for a revolt under so popular a demagogue as Jeroboam.
40 Shishak--He harbored and encouraged the rebellious refugee, and was of a different dynasty from the father-in-law of Solomon.