Home/ Weekly Services/Mission Statement/Our Leadership/Think On This/Youth Corner/Lessons & Sermons/Membership Check-In
Skyscraper Ministries/Lectures/2005 Baptisms/The Other Seventy Training Academy

---

The Kings of Israel & Judah
By Dr. Ammar Saheli, Evangelist

Introduction/Purpose

The purpose of this course of study is to examine the historical dynamics between Israel, Judah, and their earthly kings (1 Chronicles 9:10). The goal is to analyze the relationships and pull from the biblical text, life and congregational applications (Romans 15:4). The leadership dynamics of each king and the surrounding conditions will be explored and investigated for modern-day application purposes.

The Family of Israel (Jacob)

Genesis 35:22-26

The Nation of Israel of antiquity was comprised of the twelve sons of Jacob, his two wives, and their two handmaids. According to Genesis 29, 30, and 35, Leah bore four sons, Rachel’s handmaid bore two sons for her, Leah’s handmaid bore two sons for her, Leah bore two more sons and a daughter, and finally Rachel bore Jacob his two youngest sons. See the table below for a detailed and scriptural account.

Table 1. The wives & children of Jacob

Leah	Bilhah (Rachel’s handmaid)	Zilpah (Leah’s handmaid)	Rachel
Reuben (1) Gen 29:32	Dan (5) Gen 30:6	Gad (7) Gen 30:11	Joseph (11) Gen 30:24
Simeon (2) Gen 29: 33	Naphtali (6) Gen 30:8	Asher (8) Gen 30:13	Benjamin (12) Gen 35:16-18
Levi (3) Gen 29:34
Judah (4) Gen 29:35
Issachar (9) Gen 30:18
Zebulun (10) Gen 30:20
Dinah (Daughter) Gen 30:21

The Fatal Request & Rationale for a King

1 Samuel 8:1-22

Table 2.

Action	Reaction/Response
Prophet Samuel became “old.” (8:1)	Samuel made his sons judges over Israel. (8:1)
Samuel’s sons, Joel and Abiah perverted their judgment. (8:2-3)	The people requested a king to appear as other nations. (8:5)
Samuel became displeased at the request and prayed to God. (8:6)	God instructed Samuel to grant their request because they rejected His reign (8:7-8)
God instructed Samuel to inform Israel that their king would treat them harshly. (8:9-18)	The people refused to relent and continued to desire a king like “all the nations.” (8:19-20)
God said, “…make them a king.” (8:22)	Saul became king of Israel (10:23-24; 12:1-2)

Life & Congregational Applications

Document all the congregational, life, and personal applications you can find in 1 Samuel 8:1-22:

1. _____________________________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________________________________

4. _________________________________________________________________________

5. _____________________________________________________________________

6. _____________________________________________________________________

7. _____________________________________________________________________

8. _____________________________________________________________________

9. _____________________________________________________________________

Attempt to match/link your applications with the appropriate passages: Colossians 4:2;

1 Peter 4:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:17; I Timothy 4:2; 1 Timothy 5:22; 2 Samuel 12:10-11; Acts 26:28; Galatians 6:1; Matthew 7:13-14; Matthew 13:13-15; James 1:19

The Kings of the United Kingdom: Saul, David, & Solomon

Table 3. Acts of Saul (1 Samuel)

Actions	Results on Israel	Passage(s)
God gave Saul another heart.	Saul was treated as a prophet/the people rejoiced greatly.	10:9-11; 11:15
Saul became impatient/faithless & forced a sacrifice in fear of the Philistine attack.	Saul’s kingdom reign was to eventually be discontinued.	13:9, 12-13
God instructed Saul to war against the Amalekites and destroy everything.	Saul elected to save king Agag and the best of the Amalekite assets.	15:3, 9, 15, 26-28
God repented making Saul a king.	Israel was left with a rejected king.	15:10-11; 15:26-28
The presence of God departed Saul and his kingship was voided.	The kingship of Saul was voided, and unknowingly to Israel, David became their new king.	15:32-35; 16:12-13

Life & Congregational Applications

Document all the congregational, life, and personal applications you can find in the kingship of Saul. In addition, how does the information in 1 Samuel 9:16 and Exodus 29:9, 44, help us understand that the actions of Saul in 1 Samuel 13:9 resulted in sin. _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

1. _____________________________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________________________________

4. _____________________________________________________________________

5. _____________________________________________________________________

6. _____________________________________________________________________

7. _____________________________________________________________________

8. _____________________________________________________________________

9. _____________________________________________________________________
10. _____________________________________________________________________

Attempt to match/link your applications above with the appropriate passages: Ephesians 6:16; Luke 23:20-25; 2 Peter 3:9; Acts 8:18-22; Matthew 10:28; Ecclesiastes 12:13; Mark 8:36-37; Proverbs 14:12; Proverbs 16:25; Romans 6:4

David & Saul

Before moving to the dynamics between defeated king Saul and newly appointed king David, we must again define the impetus of studying the Bible, and particularly the united and divided kingdoms of Israel. The purpose of biblical study is never one sided, it is always a multifaceted process. The three-pronged approach and benefits of biblical study include increased biblical knowledge, a pleasing and worthy walk in Christ, and spiritual fruit production (good works).

Colossians 1:10 helps the Bible student understand that the primary goal of Biblical study is knowledge obtainment and spiritual application research for the purpose of spiritual transformation. In essence, the Bible provides teachings for transformation. The goal is to move beyond the biblical stories and parable of the Bible and find modern-day applications for daily living. Hence, we further investigate the dynamics between Saul and David for life and congregational applications and transformations.

Table 4. David & Saul. 1 Samuel 16-18:16

Action(s)	Result(s)	Passage(s)
Samuel was commanded to anoint a new king from the seven sons of Jesse, but feared a jealous and dejected Saul would kill him.	God provided a protective front in the form of a sacrifice to protect the mission of Samuel.	16:1-3
Samuel assumed the first-born son of Jesse, Eliab, was to be anointed king because of his appearance and impressive size.	God refused Eliab, informing him that the “Lord seeth not as man seeth…” God looks at the heart while man looks at the outward appearance.	16:6-7
Samuel observed Abinadab, Shammah, and David’s three other brothers but found not God’s anointed.	God’s man had not appeared and Samuel asked Jesse if he had brought forth all of his male children.	16:8-11
Jesse called David, a handsome reddish keeper of the sheep.	God commanded Samuel to anoint young David in the presence of his family. Notice his occupation before selection.	16:11-13
The Spirit of God departed Saul and an evil spirit troubled and overcame him.	Saul began to love David and was refreshed and reprieved of his evil spirit by David’s instrumental play.	16:16, 21-23
Saul was threatened and challenged by the Philistine giant, Goliath, to find an Israelite to fight him one on one.	Internally, Saul was crushed and afraid.	17:4-10
Action(s)	Result(s)	Passage(s)
A military battle ensued and young king David ran in the midst of the battle and saluted his brethren. He was not sent to the battle to fight, but to deliver food.	Goliath appeared and the fearful men of Israel ran.	17:22-25
Eliab becomes upset with David, assuming he simply wants to witness the battle.	David pronounced his desire to fight Goliath and was ridiculed because of his youth.	17:28, 32-33
David submitted his battle ready resume to Saul.	David declined Saul’s military armor, confronted, ran toward, and defeated goliath with sling & stone, and also cut off his head.	17:34-39, 42-46, 49-51
David became an esteemed member of the Sauline family. Jonathan and David entered into a covenant relationship.	Jonathan gave his royal apparel to David.	18:1-5
As Saul and David returned from the battle, the women greeted them with songs, instruments, and dance. “Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands.”	The exaltation of David infuriated Saul and created fear in his heart because the LORD was with David and not Saul. As a result, he cast a javelin at David but he maintained righteous behavior.	18:6-8, 11-16

Life & Congregational Applications

Document all the congregational, life, and personal applications you can find in the passages listed in the right column above.

1. _____________________________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________________________________
4. _____________________________________________________________________
5. _____________________________________________________________________

6. _____________________________________________________________________

7. _____________________________________________________________________

8. _____________________________________________________________________

9. _____________________________________________________________________

Connect your applications with self-generated biblical passages. Some example passages could be: 1 Corinthians 10:13; James 2:2-6; 1 Timothy 4:12.

David, Saul, & Jonathan

Table 5. David, Saul, & Jonathan. 1 Samuel 18:17—chapter 31:4-5

Action(s)	Result(s)	Passage(s)
Saul allowed his daughter (Michal) to marry David, assuming it would result in his demise.	The marriage was prosperous, David defeated the Philistines, and Saul’s fear of him increased.	18:20-21, 27-30
Saul commissioned his son Jonathan and his servants to kill David.	Jonathan acted as an ally to David and spoke well of him to his father. Saul made an oath that David would not be slain.	19:1-6
Saul broke his promise and sought to kill David with his javelin.	David’s wife (Michal) acted as an ally and informed and made an escape for David. He fled to Ramah and revealed Saul’s evil actions to Samuel.	19:11-12, 18-19
From the city of Naioth, David left Samuel and confronted Jonathan about his father’s evil towards him. Jonathan acted as an ally to David and made an escape for him.	Saul became incensed with his son, charged him to deliver David, and cast a javelin at him.	20:1, 27, 30-33
Jonathan was angered at his father’s behavior and fasted out of grief for David and his shame.	Jonathan instructed David to flee because of his father’s contempt.	20:34, 42
David escaped danger and was joined to brethren and family at the cave Adulllam.	At the cave, David became a captain over 400 passionate, revolutionary, and justice-hungry men.	22:1-5
David fled to Nob and received hallowed bread and the sword of Goliath from Ahimelech and the priesthood.	Out of anger and perceived betrayal, Saul ordered the murders of Ahimelech. On that day 85 members of the priesthood died.	21:1, 7-9, 13-19
David inquired and was instructed by God to fight the Philistines.	David consulted God on behalf of his fearful men and they saved the people of Keilah.	23:1-5
Saul attempted to kill David two more times.	David spared the life of Saul two times.	1^st attempt: 24:1-2 Life spared: 24:4-5, 11 2^nd attempt: 26:1-3 Life spared again: 26:7-11, 21-22
In desperation, Saul sought a woman with a familiar spirit.	Samuel instructed Saul of his future death at the hands of the philistines. Saul committed suicide.	28:7, 15-20; 31:4-5

Life & Congregational Applications

Document all the congregational, life, and personal applications you can find in the passages listed in the right column above.

1. _____________________________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________________________________

4. _____________________________________________________________________

5. _____________________________________________________________________
6. _____________________________________________________________________

7. _____________________________________________________________________

8. _____________________________________________________________________

9. _____________________________________________________________________

10. _____________________________________________________________________

Connect your applications with self-generated biblical passages.

Table 6. King David. 2 Samuel chapters 2-12

Action(s)	Result(s)	Passage(s)
David was publicly anointed king over Judah.	In rebellion of the new king, Abner made Saul’s son Ish-bosheth the king of Israel. It climaxed in war between Judah and Israel.	2:1-4; 2:8-11; 2:17,31; 3:1
To solidify his position in Israel, Abner took Saul’s former concubine, Rizpah.	Ish-bosheth turned his affections against Abner because of his actions and Abner flew into a rage. Abner felt highly disrespected, unappreciated, and demoralized. He turned his allegiance to David.	3:6-11; 3:12,17-18
Abner joined Judah and vowed to return and unite Israel with the kingship of David.	In the process, Joab heard about Abner and did not believe his attempt of unification. When Abner returned, Joab murdered him because he killed his brother Asahel.	3:27
Ish-bosheth was assassinated by his own tribesmen, stabbed through the fifth rib identical to Abner, and beheaded.	David had the assassinators (Rechab and Baanah) put to death and was later publicly anointed king of both Israel and Judah.	4:6-7,10-12; 5:1-5
David committed adultery with Bathsheba.	Through an attempted cover up, Bathsheba’s husband Uriah was intentionally compromised in battle to the point of death.	11:3-5,17
Nathan conspicuously confronted David about his perceived hidden sin.	David was informed that the sword would never leave his house and his baby was born sick and soon died.	12:10,14,19

Life & Congregational Applications

Document all the congregational, life, and personal applications you can find in the passages listed in the right column above.

1. _____________________________________________________________________

2. _____________________________________________________________________

3. _____________________________________________________________________
4. _____________________________________________________________________

5. _____________________________________________________________________

6. _____________________________________________________________________

7. _____________________________________________________________________

8. _____________________________________________________________________

9. _____________________________________________________________________

10. _____________________________________________________________________

Connect your applications with self-generated biblical passages.

A Brief Look at the Life & Familial Trials of David

2 Samuel 11 to 2 Samuel 19

After David assumed his public role of king of Israel and Judah he experienced extreme military success and delivered the Ark of the Covenant into its rightful place in Jerusalem (2 Samuel 5:3-5,7; 6:15-17). In the life span of king David during the stipulated chapters under investigation, two of his six son’s (Amnon & Absalom) are of unique importance.

David’s legacy of familial troubles began with his adulterous affair with Bathsheba and their pregnancy (2 Samuel 11:4-5). In an attempt to conceal the true identity of the father, David summoned Uriah (Bathsheba’s husband) to return from war to be with his wife. However, Uriah was a man who refused to look back after having put his hand to the plow and would not physically return to his home of abode (Luke 9:62). David was hoping that Uriah would return to his living quarters and sleep with his wife. That would have allowed Uriah to naturally assume that he was the father of the child his wife carried. When David perceived Uriah’s dedication and persistence to return to battle, he mandated Joab to assign Uriah to the frontline of battle to facilitate his death (2 Samuel 11:14-17).

After all David’s trials, sinful schemes, and blunders he was in need of some spiritual cleansing. To initiate and spark the development of a clean heart and right spirit within David (Psalms 51:10), God sent him a man named Nathan (Psalms 12:1-14). David was self-righteous and blinded, easily commenting on the sins of others while failing to confess and repent of his own sins. As a result of the illicit sexual relationship between David and Bathsheba, God required the death of their infant son. Nathan said to David, “Howbeit, because by this deed thou hast given great occasion to the enemies of the LORD to blaspheme, the child also that is born unto thee shall surely die” (2 Samuel 12:14). As a consequence to the sexual affair and murder, David was also informed that the sword would never depart his house (2 Samuel 12:10). Sadly, Bathsheba’s son died after being terribly sick. Yet, as a man after God’s own heart, David worshipped God before and after the death of his son to cope with the pain, grief, and loss (2 Samuel 12:15-23).

The first of David’s consequential and familial pains came in the form of rape, vigilantism, and murder. David’s son Amnon had a sick yearning to be with his sister Tamar sexually. Amnon’s cousin Jonadab (2 Samuel 13:3) arranged a scheme that fostered an environment for Amnon to rape his sister Tamar. This situation infuriated Absalom and he waited two years and then arranged for his men to successfully murder Amnon (2 Samuel 13:23,28-29).

After the murder of Amnon Absalom fled to Geshur and remained three years and David was saddened by his absence (2 Samuel 13:37-39). Joab began negotiating Absalom’s return, but David’s behavior as a father presented as strange. He mourned for his son in his absence, consented to his return, but refused to allow him in his presence (2 Samuel 14:23-24). Surely this must have frustrated Absalom and gendered feelings of rejection. Why would David refuse his son in such a fashion? Absaloms murderous actions were not directed toward his father. He was avenging his sister that he loved so much he named his daughter Tamar (2 Samuel 14:27).

Absalom was forced to deal with the psychological issues of having a famous father that ignored him but an Israel that praised him. Absalom was a beautiful man from the bottom of his feet to the crown of his head (2 Samuel 14:25). He was a man with long hair and no physical blemishes. He was a perfect specimen.

Absalom was back in Jerusalem two full years and never spoke to his father or saw his face (2 Samuel 14:28). A king without time for his children could truly provoke them to wrath and that is exactly what happened with Absalom (Ephesians 6:4). Absalom sent word twice to Joab in an attempt to arrange a meeting with his father but Joab failed to respond (2 Samuel 14:29). This apparently left Absalom sad, rejected, bitter, and vengeful. Absalom reacted with arson and set Joab’s barley field on fire (2 Samuel 14:30). The drastic measures of Absalom gained Joabs attention and Absalom complained to him about his lack of contact with his father. Absalom had a message and mandate for Joab: “Wherefore am I come from Geshur? It had been good for me to have been there still: now therefore let me see the kings face; and if there be any iniquity in me, let him kill me” (2 Samuel 14:32).

Joab arranged a family meeting and Absalom met with his father David. Absalom bowed before his father and David kissed him. Apparently the father/son reunion described in biblical brevity was not enough for Absalom. Like any son, Absalom apparently yearned for and needed more than a epigrammatic meeting with his father because he soon began establishing himself and subverting his father’s kingdom (2

Samuel 14:33; 15:1-4). Absalom began acting as a pseudo judge in Israel, providing a type of attention to the people his father was not giving him. “…When any man came nigh to him to do him obeisance, he put forth his hand and kissed him” (2 Samuel 15:5). In his methodical efforts to overthrow his father, “…Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel (2 Samuel 15:6).

After forty years he returned to Geshur and linked himself to his fathers covert rival, Ahithophel, the grandfather of Bathsheba (2 Samuel 11:3; 15: 12; 23:34). His tragic strategy spurned by his reactions to his partially disconnected fathers rejections, was to overtake the kingdom. Absalom’s conspiracy grew and more and more people were drawn to his cause. David fled Jerusalem (2 Samuel 15:13-14). A king again on the run, imagine how David must have felt:

(1) Saul tried to kill him several times.

(2) Abner fought against the completion of his kingship.

(3) He had a child-producing affair with Bathsheba.

(4) He ordered the death of a co-worker.

(5) He suffered through the death of his infant son.

(6) His daughter was raped.

(7) His son Amnon was killed by his brother Absalom.

(8) His son Absalom attempted to overthrow and assassinate him.

The neglect of David toward his son festered in Absalom for at least forty years. Absalom sought out the perfect man to help him conquer David, Ahithophel. The unfilled void Absalom yearned for his father to fill thrust him into psychological and physical destruction. Absalom was so bent on and consumed by feelings of anger and revenge he became a defenseless victim to deplorable counsel. Absalom, his men, and his demonic counselor Ahithophel returned to Jerusalem to begin their coup d'état (2 Samuel 16:15).

In an attempt to foster and publicly promote the fabricated outrage of David for Absalom, Ahithophel counseled him to have sex with his fathers’ concubines (2 Samuel 16:20-22). How great the depths of sin can become when a person fails to walk after the Spirit and reacts carnally to fleshly hurts. Like his father David, Absalom committed his sinful acts of lust upon the top of the house (2 Samuel 11:2; 16:22). Absalom and other men of Israel respected the words of Ahithophel as if they were the words of God (2 Samuel 2 16:23).

In an attack masterminded by Ahithophel, twelve thousand men pursued after David, but David was warned of the attack (2 Samuel 17:1). In midst of the evil attack, Absalom, while riding his mule became caught by his neck within the trees above and his mule continued forward. This left Absalom hanging in the air. When Joab heard of his condition he thrust him in the heart with three darts and then his ten men completed the execution (2 Samuel 18: 9-15). Despite the assassination attempts of Absalom, David was deeply saddened by his death (2 Samuel 19:1-8).

David’s kingdom was restored, but throughout his reign he paid an emotional price for his sins. Remember, the birth of Solomon to David and Bathsheba is recorded in 2 Samuel 12:24-25. Therefore Solomon was an eyewitness to his father’s relationship and experiences with Absalom and his siblings.

The Beginning Days of Solomon:

Converted to Man But Not the Saviors Plan

A spiritually fatal mistake within the Christian striving to be purpose driven is the unconscious conversion to man and his system(s) and not to the overall faith of God through Christ. Solomon the preacher said, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil” (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14). Christ is the conformity rubric every Christian life must be based upon. If Christ is not the center and purpose for a Christians behavior, it is vain. Christian actions can never be based upon a human man. God uses human men to help men and women see Christ through His Word (Ephesians 4:11).

In the early years of Peter as a disciple of Christ he denied knowing Jesus because he was not converted to Him. He was converted to Christ superficially as an influential, charismatic, honest, and powerful man, but not as the anointed Christ. When it came time for Peter to show his allegiance to the Son of God he failed (Luke 22:54-62). Christ said to Peter, “I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:33).

In the beginning days of Solomon as king, he had to deal with two men who were actually converted to a system and a person as opposed to the true goals of God. When the ties of Christians are stronger with people and traditions than with the one faith, the work of the ministry suffers tremendously. This result occurs because so-called Christian work becomes conditional. Internal questions arise such as:

1. Will there be food?

2. How long does he preach?

3. How long does service last?

4. Which congregation is hosting?

5. Who else will be there?

6. Might I be the only one?

7. Who is facilitating?

8. Who is cooking?

9. Who is teaching?

10. Whose idea was it?

11. Who is preaching?

12. Who is the preacher?

King Solomon had to confront and deal with two men converted to systems and not the pure purpose of God, Shimei and Joab. Shimei provides a blatant example of fictitious conversion while Joab’s lack of true conversion was concealed.

While king David was on the run from his son Absalom, Shimei felt it was safe for his true feelings to be revealed. Shimei was converted to the Sauline way of living (2 Samuel 16:5). Shimei remained in hiding during the death of Saul and changing of the guard. However, as Jezebel went into hiding, Shimei came out. He felt David was weak and compromised; therefore he could really share his disgust. When he saw David he walked towards him cursing and throwing stones. He directed choice words at David and even as he departed he threw stones and dust (2 Samuel 16:6-16). The ordeal was so out of line Abishai wanted permission to take his head off. Shimei was not converted to the God-ordained Israelite way of living he was converted to Saul. David spared the life of Shimei but he warned Solomon of his guilty nature (2 Samuel 19:19-23; 1 Kings 2:8-9). Solomon eventually murdered Shimei (1 Kings 2:46). No one ever escapes sin.

Joab’s lack of conversion was concealed. During the sickness of David (1 Kings 1:1-7), Joab turned to Adonijah who had made himself the new king (1 Kings 2:28). Adonijah was David’s fourth son (2 Samuel 3:4). While David was powerful and in total control Joab remained glued to his side, but in David’s sickness he turned to his son Adonijah.

Customarily the new king was appointed after the death of the deceased king and as ordained by him. Joab knew David was near the grave, therefore he affixed himself to the man he thought would be the next king. Joab was not converted to the God-breathed religious system of Israel, he was secretly converted to a man which sent him in a tailspin looking for the next man. As a result his life was snatched (1 Kings 2:28-32).

If a person is going to be pleasing to God they must be holistically committed to Him. Do not follow someone because of who they are. If anyone is to be followed it is not because of who they are but who they are following. When people consciously or unconsciously follow after something for the wrong reason(s) they are bound to be failed and negatively impacted. At the conclusion of the death of Adonijah, Joab, and more notably Shimei, the kingdom of Solomon was established. Live a purpose driven life powered by Christ and His Word!!!

Questions

1. Are you converted to the church of Christ, as you know it?

2. Are you converted to your congregation?

3. Are you converted to the style of church leadership where you worship?

4. Are you converted to Christ?

5. If all but Christ changed how would you respond?

The Fall of King Solomon:
The Established Platform for a Divided Kingdom

1 Kings 11

In 1 Kings 3:5-15 Solomon asked God for wisdom to help him lead the Nation of Israel. God was pleased that Solomon did not ask for long life, riches, or the death of his enemies. Because of his righteous request, God blessed him with wisdom, riches, and honor. Between chapters 3-10 in 1 Kings, Solomon exercised great wisdom, built and furnished the temple, and increased in wealth and fame. However, remember that Solomon observed all the behaviors and habits of his father David, the deceased king. What impact did David have on his son?

King David had a women problem and his son Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3). The women Solomon married and linked with were strange women in the sight of God. They were not of the Nation of Israel. They were women who did not practice Jewish religion, but followed pagan gods faithfully. In the elder years of Solomon he allowed his wives to turn his heart away from God and began caring for the pagan god’s of his wives.

Solomon went after Ashtoreth and Milcom, built high places for Chemosh and Molech, and burnt incense and offered sacrifices to them (1 Kings 11:5-8). Because of Solomon’s defection and degeneration he was warned by God that the kingdom would be rent from his leadership and an adversary from his own family was raised against him (1 Kings 11:11,14). Because of Solomon’s evil God made his servant Jeroboam his soon to be superior (1 Kings 11:31).