Study Desk

Every one of them brought his gift. They brought objects of silver and gold, clothing, objects for fighting in battle, spices, horses and donkeys, so much year by year.

He had 700 wives, kings' daughters, and 300 women who acted as his wives. And his wives turned his heart away.

When Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away to follow other gods. His whole heart was not faithful to the Lord his God, as the heart of his father David had been.

Solomon did what was sinful in the eyes of the Lord. He did not follow the Lord with all his heart, as his father David had done.

He did the same for all his wives from other nations, who burned special perfume and gave gifts to their gods.

But Hadad ran away to Egypt, together with certain Edomites of his father's servants, while Hadad was still a young boy.

Now Hadad found much favor in the eyes of Pharaoh. So Pharaoh gave him in marriage the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen.

Tahpenes' sister gave birth to his son Genubath, whom Tahpenes took care of in Pharaoh's house. Genubath was in Pharaoh's house among the sons of Pharaoh.

God sent Rezon the son of Eliada against Solomon also. Rezon had run away from his owner Hadadezer king of Zobah.

Then Jeroboam the son of Nebat turned against the king. Jeroboam was Solomon's servant, an Ephraimite of Zeredah. His mother's name was Zeruah, a woman whose husband had died.

Now this is the reason he turned against the king. Solomon built the Millo, and built a stronger wall around the city of his father David.

Then Ahijah took hold of his new coat and tore it into twelve pieces.

Because they have turned away from Me. They have worshiped Ashtoreth the false goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the sons of Ammon. They have not walked in My ways, doing what is right in My eyes and keeping My Laws, as his father David did.

But I will not take the whole nation from him. I will make him ruler all the days of his life, because of My servant David whom I chose, who kept My Word and My Laws.

But I will take the nation from his son, and will give to you ten family groups.

I will give one family group to his son, that My servant David will have a lamp always before Me in Jerusalem, the city where I have chosen for Myself to put My name.

Now the rest of the acts of Solomon and whatever he did, and his wisdom, are they not written in the Book of the Acts of Solomon?

And Solomon died and was buried in the city of his father David. His son Rehoboam ruled in his place.

King Rehoboam spoke with the leaders who had worked for his father Solomon while he was still alive. He asked them, "What answer do you think I should give to these people?"

And the king was hard in his answer to them. For he turned away from the wise words the leaders had given him.