Since you have not kept my covenant and my decrees (1 kings 9b-11 q)

1 Kings 9:10-11:43

11: 11 So the LORD said to Solomon, "Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly, tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates.

A.    Factual appreciation of Solomon’s work: 1) the sign of stress between Hiram and Solomon (9:10-14).  2) the necessity of the massive building projects: conscription and compromise of God’s direction concerning ungodly gentiles (9:15-24) 3) Solomon’s obligation to the Lord (9:25) 4) Solomon’s need for gold and international trade (9:26-27)

B.    Queen of Sheba’s appraisal of Solomon’s works: wealth and wisdom, but lacking justice and righteousness. (10:1-13)

C.    Solomon’s work for his glory (10:14-29)  

D.    Solomon’s affection for women leading to apostasy (11:1-3)

E.     God’s judgment (11:4-40)

1.      [9:10-27] What did Solomon give to Hiram? When and why (10-14; Ref. 5:7-11)? Whom did Solomon conscript (15, 20-23)?  To build what (15-19; 25-26)? Why was it necessary (Cf. Exo 35:4-19)? During this time, what did Solomon do for the Lord (25a)? Why (25b)? 

2.      [10:1-29] When and why did the Queen of Sheba come to see Solomon (1)? What did she see and test Solomon of (2-5)? What did she come to believe (6-7)? How were the people of Israel blessed (8-9a)? Why (9b)? Discuss what did she mean by 9b? Describe and discuss the extent and focus of the wealth of Solomon (14-29).

3.      [11:1-3] Whom, how many, and how did Solomon love as his wives and concubines (11:1,3)? What does this tell us about his heart (2, 4-8; Deut 7:1-3; Ref. Ps 72; Eccl 7:23-29)? Discuss the nature of sexual ungodliness and idol worship in their relationship (ref. Gen 6:1-2, 5-6; Rom 1:24-25, 26-28)

4.      [11:4-13] How was God’s anger progressed (2, 6, 9)? What was the verdict (10) and delivery of judgment (11)? Even with such an outright violation of the Lord’s command, why did He give such a leniency (12-13)?

5.      [11:14-43] Whom and how did the Lord raise up against Solomon (14-25; Ref 2 Sam 8:3-8, 13-14; Cf. 2 Sam 8:14b)? Who and how did the Lord raise the third adversary (26-40)?  Discuss how each of these three posed a threat to Solomon’s kingdom and the purpose of God in it. Compare the last days of Solomon with David’s (41-43; 1 King 2:1-12)