Background and Reign

Solomon, the son of King David and Bathsheba, was the third king of Israel and reigned for 40 years. His reign is often characterized by peace, prosperity, and the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. Solomon is renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and extensive building projects, as well as his authorship of several biblical books, including Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon.

Solomon's Apostasy

Despite his early devotion to God, Solomon's later years were marked by a departure from the faith of his father, David. The Bible records that Solomon's many foreign wives led him astray, causing him to worship other gods. In 1 Kings 11:4-6 , it is written: "For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of his father David had been. Solomon followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. So Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD; unlike his father David, he did not follow the LORD completely."

Divine Judgment

As a result of Solomon's apostasy, God pronounced judgment upon his kingdom. The LORD declared that the kingdom would be torn from Solomon's son, though not during Solomon's lifetime, for the sake of David. In 1 Kings 11:11-13 , God says: "Since you have done this and have not kept My covenant and statutes, which I commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. Nevertheless, for the sake of your father David, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son. Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom away from him, but will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen."

The Death of Solomon

The account of Solomon's death is brief and is recorded in 1 Kings 11:41-43 : "As for the rest of the acts of Solomon—all that he did, as well as his wisdom—are they not written in the Book of the Acts of Solomon? Thus the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. And Solomon rested with his fathers and was buried in the city of his father David. And his son Rehoboam reigned in his place."

Solomon's death marked the end of an era of united monarchy in Israel. His son Rehoboam's ascension to the throne led to the division of the kingdom, fulfilling the divine judgment pronounced due to Solomon's unfaithfulness. Solomon's legacy is a complex one, as he is remembered both for his wisdom and achievements, as well as for his failure to remain faithful to the covenant with God.