KINGS - Week 2
A lot can happen in a little time!
Just last week, we were reading about the wisdom of Solomon and how his reign was off to a good start; asking God for wisdom not wealth and demonstrating justice and discernment by threatening to cut a baby in half…
And then this week things continue to look promising. Solomon builds (or gets others to build) God’s temple in Jerusalem. By the end of the week Solomon’s downfall is complete, God is angry with Solomon and the Kingdom is about to split.
Where did it all go so wrong?
In this week’s readings, we can see it unfold almost chapter by chapter.
1 Kings 7
Solomon’s building project continues - but this time, it’s his own palace. Taking almost twice as long as the temple, it suggests a subtle shift in priorities. Alongside this, the chapter describes the detailed craftsmanship of the temple’s furnishings: bronze pillars, basins, and lampstands, all pointing to beauty, order, and God’s holiness. Yet, with more space given to Solomon’s palace than the temple itself, a quiet tension begins to emerge between divine glory and royal splendour.
1 Kings 8
This is Solomon’s finest hour. The ark of the covenant is brought into the new temple, the cloud of God’s glory fills the house, and Solomon prays a remarkable prayer that reaches across time and space. He asks God to hear the cries of the repentant, whether Israelite or foreigner, and to remain faithful to Their covenant promises. The dedication ends in joyful celebration.
But even now, the story hints that faithfulness will be key to the temple’s future.
1 Kings 9
God appears to Solomon again with a clear message: if Solomon remains faithful, the kingdom will endure. If he turns away, however, even this glorious temple will be torn down.
It’s almost as if God knew Solomon needed to be reminded of this…
Solomon continues his reign, engaging in ambitious construction and trade projects - giving away cities, imposing forced labour, and building fortified towns. This is a chapter that blends prosperity with pressure, and begins to raise the question:
What kind of king is Solomon becoming?
1 Kings 10
The Queen of Sheba visits Jerusalem, and even she is left speechless by Solomon’s wisdom, wealth, and worship. She praises God, recognising that Israel’s God has given them a wise and just king. Solomon’s gold, horses, and luxury are on full display, yet this excess is beginning to look like what Deuteronomy warned against. The world admires his splendour, and that might just be rubbing off on Solomon a little too much. A king’s ego can only remain in check for so long.
(Side note - the Ethiopian royal tradition, based on the ancient text known as the Kebra Nagast (“The Glory of the Kings”), a 14th-century Ethiopian chronicle, claims the Queen of Sheba (called Makeda in Ethiopian tradition) visited Solomon in Jerusalem (1 Kings 10), and they had a son named Menelik I. Menelik later returned to Ethiopia and established the Solomonic dynasty, bringing with him a form of the Israelite religion and, according to the Kebra Nagast, even the Ark of the Covenant.
Haile Selassie, who ruled Ethiopia from 1930 to 1974, claimed to be the 225th monarch in this Solomonic line. When he was crowned in 1930 as “King of Kings, Lord of Lords, Conquering Lion of the Tribe of Judah”, many in Jamaica (especially in the context of Black liberation theology and Afro-Caribbean identity) interpreted this as a fulfilment of biblical prophecy.
This belief gave rise to the Rastafari movement, which reveres Haile Selassie as the Messianic figure foretold in Revelation, the embodiment of God (Jah) on earth and a symbol of African dignity, resistance, and divine kingship.)
1 Kings 11
Solomon’s heart is led astray. Despite all his wisdom, he marries many foreign wives and turns to their gods, building altars for Chemosh and Molech. This appears to happen out of nowhere! We were just reading this;
Thus King Solomon excelled all the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom. The whole earth sought the presence of Solomon to hear his wisdom, which God had put into his mind. Every one of them brought a present, objects of silver and gold, garments, weaponry, spices, horses, and mules, so much year by year. (1 Kings 10: 23-25)
Then, all of a sudden, it’s this;
King Solomon loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, from the nations concerning which the Lord had said to the Israelites, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for they will surely incline your heart to follow their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. (1 Kings 11:1-2)
Having read the story through, the signs were there, but still this comes as a shock.
God is angry and declares that the kingdom will be torn from Solomon’s son. New adversaries arise- Hadad, Rezon, and Jeroboam - signs that God’s judgment is already taking shape. As is so common in the Old Testament, God chooses to use enemies of the people to enact judgement.
Solomon, once the model king, ends his reign under a cloud.
1 Kings 12
Solomon’s son Rehoboam takes the throne, but his arrogance sparks a national split. Instead of easing the people’s burdens, he doubles down.
Ten tribes break away and crown Jeroboam king of Israel, leaving only Judah and Benjamin under Rehoboam. In fear of losing power, Jeroboam sets up golden calves at Bethel and Dan - echoing the sin of Exodus.
Political division leads to spiritual division, and the united kingdom becomes a broken one.
Thus ends the time of the united kingdom (I didn’t even write about how some scholars now make the case that there never was a historical united kingdom! Aren’t you proud of me?!).
Saul looked the part but soon enough, his true colours became clear.
David had one particularly horrible moment, but was ultimately defined by his commitment to God’s promise.
Solomon appeared to have the opportunity to do something special, but fell away to the things of the world.
The end of this section of Kings marks a significant point in the journey of the people of Israel.
Not only do we begin to talk henceforth about Israelites and Judahites, but this sets the scene for the next big challenge, the Assyrian Crisis that we encounter in Isaiah and elsewhere.