Solomon’s Adversaries (Solomon): Have you ever felt like your life was falling apart, and you knew that it was at least partially your fault? Who among us hasn’t gotten into a mess of our own making? But is there anything we can do? When God raised up three adversaries, it was all Solomon’s fault. But would the king finally turn from his ways? Recorded on Feb 8, 2026, on 1 Kings 11:14-40 by Pastor David Parks.
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This sermon is part of the Solomon: The Legacy of a King series. King Solomon was a complex man whose story started some 3,000 years ago, when David, his father, was the most powerful and successful king of ancient Israel. David’s reign brought peace, prosperity, and plans to build the temple before handing the kingdom to Solomon. How would King Solomon handle living in the shadow of his great father’s legacy? Would he learn to be a wise and godly king? Could he overcome the plotting of his enemies, the dysfunction of his family, and the temptations of virtually unlimited wealth, fame, and women? What would be his legacy? Solomon’s story is a vital part of the history leading up to the ultimate son of David and anointed king, the Lord Jesus Christ.
Sermon Transcript
We’re almost to the end of a sermon series on one of the most important kings of ancient Israel, a series called Solomon: The Legacy of a King. After today, we have only two more weeks before we start a new series for Lent from the Gospel of Luke, called Journey to the Cross. But for now, as we approach the end of Solomon’s life and consider his legacy, recall that for most of our series, we saw Solomon’s rise. Solomon became the king during a time of unprecedented peace and prosperity. And we saw the Lord’s abundant favor in his life in many ways. Life was good! Now, we had a few questions about how Solomon handled all this wealth and fame, but it wasn’t until last week that we clearly saw his downfall. In taking hundreds of wives and concubines, King Solomon might’ve been acting like any other worldly king, likely using many of these relationships to secure alliances with other kingdoms and peoples; nevertheless, this was absolutely wrong, and he knew better. All these women worshiped all sorts of gods, and as Solomon grew old, his heart drifted from Yahweh, the Lord his God. He built high places to worship them, despite their detestable worship practices, including sexual immorality and child sacrifice. Today, we’ll consider some of the consequences of Solomon’s sin in the deterioration of the peace that the king and his kingdom had enjoyed when God raised up three adversaries. But even as things start to fall apart, we still see God’s grace and mercy. Have you ever felt like your life was falling apart, and you knew that it was at least partially your fault? I think we can all relate to that. Who among us hasn’t gotten into a mess of our own making? Now, I doubt you could get into enough trouble to bring down a whole kingdom, like Solomon, but still, when life is falling apart/mess, is there anything we can do? Even when it’s our fault?! Well, if you have your Bible/app, please open to 1 Kings 11:14. This is a longer passage, but we’ll unpack it as we go. The first of three adversaries:
1 Kings 11:14–22 (NIV), “14 Then the Lord raised up against Solomon an adversary, Hadad the Edomite, from the royal line of Edom. 15 Earlier when David was fighting with Edom, Joab the commander of the army, who had gone up to bury the dead, had struck down all the men in Edom. 16 Joab and all the Israelites stayed there for six months, until they had destroyed all the men in Edom. 17 But Hadad, still only a boy, fled to Egypt with some Edomite officials who had served his father. 18 They set out from Midian and went to Paran. Then taking people from Paran with them, they went to Egypt, to Pharaoh king of Egypt, who gave Hadad a house and land and provided him with food. 19 Pharaoh was so pleased with Hadad that he gave him a sister of his own wife, Queen Tahpenes, in marriage. 20 The sister of Tahpenes bore him a son named Genubath, whom Tahpenes brought up in the royal palace. There Genubath lived with Pharaoh’s own children. 21 While he was in Egypt, Hadad heard that David rested with his ancestors and that Joab the commander of the army was also dead. Then Hadad said to Pharaoh, “Let me go, that I may return to my own country.” 22 “What have you lacked here that you want to go back to your own country?” Pharaoh asked. “Nothing,” Hadad replied, “but do let me go!” Ok, so here, notice that it doesn’t say an adversary appeared, as if by coincidence. v. 14 says that it was an act of divine providence; it was the Lord who raised up an adversary against Solomon. This man, Hadad, was raised up as an adversary, not to do the devil’s work (the Hebrew for adversary is the word satan), but as a tool in the hand of the Lord. That’s curious, isn’t it? But we’re told that Hadad was a prince of Edom, a neighbor to the south, who barely escaped with his life when his kingdom was defeated by King David. And here, we find an unexpected pattern. Can you think of anyone else in the Scriptures who had to flee to Egypt to save their life, only to later return to Canaan? That’s actually a pattern that repeats several times. The first time we see this in the Bible is in Genesis, with Joseph’s story. The Lord preserved Joseph and let him flourish in Egypt in order to preserve his people. Also, being raised in Pharaoh’s household reminds us of Moses’ story. But here, we don’t have an Israelite following this pattern, but a pagan Gentile prince from Edom. Curious again. And Hadad was highly favored in Egypt, like Moses, but was determined to return and get revenge on the house and line of David — something like the Exodus story turned on its head. The second of three adversaries.
1 Kings 11:23-25 (NIV), “23 And God raised up against Solomon another adversary, Rezon son of Eliada, who had fled from his master, Hadadezer king of Zobah. 24 When David destroyed Zobah’s army, Rezon gathered a band of men around him and became their leader; they went to Damascus, where they settled and took control. 25 Rezon was Israel’s adversary as long as Solomon lived, adding to the trouble caused by Hadad. So Rezon ruled in Aram and was hostile toward Israel.” In a second act of divine providence, God sent another adversary (satan) against Solomon. But this time, it was Rezon, another pagan Gentile who was a former royal official of the kingdom of Zobah. Rezon became the leader of a band of mercenaries based in the northern city of Damascus. If we look at a map, we can see that Hadad’s kingdom of Edom was in the south. This is why when he fled for his life, he ran to Egypt, which was nearby. But Rezon, the self-appointed king of the city of Damascus, in the northern kingdom of Aram, was hostile toward Israel for the rest of Solomon’s life. God had said he wouldn’t tear the kingdom away from Solomon during his lifetime. But with Hadad in the south and Rezon in the north, the jaws of judgment seem to be closing on the king. Gone are the days of unfettered peace and prosperity. But Solomon had way more resources and alliances than Hadad and Rezon combined. Could these two really do anything to him? The third of three adversaries:
1 Kings 11:26–40 (NIV), “26 Also, Jeroboam son of Nebat rebelled against the king. He was one of Solomon’s officials, an Ephraimite from Zeredah, and his mother was a widow named Zeruah. 27 Here is the account of how he rebelled against the king: Solomon had built the terraces and had filled in the gap in the wall of the city of David his father. 28 Now Jeroboam was a man of standing, and when Solomon saw how well the young man did his work, he put him in charge of the whole labor force of the tribes of Joseph. 29 About that time Jeroboam was going out of Jerusalem, and Ahijah the prophet of Shiloh met him on the way, wearing a new cloak. The two of them were alone out in the country, 30 and Ahijah took hold of the new cloak he was wearing and tore it into twelve pieces. 31 Then he said to Jeroboam, “Take ten pieces for yourself, for this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says: ‘See, I am going to tear the kingdom out of Solomon’s hand and give you ten tribes. 32 But for the sake of my servant David and the city of Jerusalem, which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel, he will have one tribe. 33 I will do this because they have forsaken me and worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Molek the god of the Ammonites, and have not walked in obedience to me, nor done what is right in my eyes, nor kept my decrees and laws as David, Solomon’s father, did. 34 “ ‘But I will not take the whole kingdom out of Solomon’s hand; I have made him ruler all the days of his life for the sake of David my servant, whom I chose and who obeyed my commands and decrees. 35 I will take the kingdom from his son’s hands and give you ten tribes. 36 I will give one tribe to his son so that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city where I chose to put my Name. 37 However, as for you, I will take you, and you will rule over all that your heart desires; you will be king over Israel. 38 If you do whatever I command you and walk in obedience to me and do what is right in my eyes by obeying my decrees and commands, as David my servant did, I will be with you. I will build you a dynasty as enduring as the one I built for David and will give Israel to you. 39 I will humble David’s descendants because of this, but not forever.’ ” 40 Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam, but Jeroboam fled to Egypt, to Shishak the king, and stayed there until Solomon’s death.” This is God’s word. Ok! In a third act of divine providence, the Lord raised up a third satan/adversary, and one who probably hurt Solomon the most. This wasn’t some foreigner or Gentile pagan. This was one of his own officials, Jeroboam, a very capable man and leader of the whole labor force of the northern tribes of Israel. But Jeroboam wasn’t some resentful conquered prince or some self-appointed king of who-knows-where; he was chosen by God through the prophet Ahijah to be the next king of Israel outside the house and line of Solomon. This would be a new royal family tree, one that God promised to bless if Jeroboam would obey the Lord’s decrees and commands. However, the Lord wouldn’t completely abandon David’s lineage. Because of Solomon’s idolatry, which he practiced and encouraged in the latter part of his life, and the worship of Ashtoreth, Molek, and Chemosh, the detestable false gods of the peoples who lived around Israel, the house of David would be humbled, and Israel would be divided into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. This would be an utter calamity, but not during the lifetime of Solomon. He had to deal with these three adversaries and any attacks or other problems they caused. His kingdom was starting to fall apart, and it was all his fault—but the future was darker still. Both Israel and Judah would eventually face near annihilation during the Exile. But here, before we turn to applications of this text, can we just acknowledge how quickly we moved from the high point of the whole OT in the building of the Temple and the glorious presence of God dwelling with his people in the Promised Land—the fulfillment of so many promises of God. This was the high point of the whole history of the people of Israel. But can we acknowledge how quickly we move from that to their downfall? It all happened in one generation. What a mess! The Lord had been clear with Solomon that his disobedience and idolatry had made him angry, and this gross sin would have dire consequences. And the Lord raised up not one but three adversaries against Solomon, closing the jaws of judgment around him. Again, how did Solomon respond? He tried to kill the adversaries. In other words, he continued to act just like any other earthly king. For the world, might makes right. You’re my enemy, I’m going to kill you. But is this how Solomon should’ve responded? Is this how a good and godly king should act? We’ve seen in our series that a king is supposed to rule with justice and righteousness. And wherever righteousness is lacking, justice is required. But what was broken in Israel? Where was righteousness lacking? Where was justice required? In Solomon’s idolatry. This wasn’t Jeroboam’s fault; it was Solomon’s fault. Solomon wasn’t doing justice by trying to kill Jeroboam; he was trying to cover up, he was trying to manage his own sin. He was trying to get out of the consequences of his sin, not make it right! Ok, what was our question at the beginning? Have you ever felt like your life was falling apart, and you knew that it was at least partially your fault? Have you ever gotten into a mess of your own making? This is a broken world; you either have or you will! The real question is this: is there anything we can do? The answer is yes, but don’t do what Solomon did! I’d recommend doing what Solomon’s father, David, did when his sin was exposed. David lusted after a married woman named Bathsheba and used his position as the king to take her and have her husband killed. But when the prophet Nathan confronted him about what he had done, do you know what he did? He humbled himself, he confessed his sin, and he cast himself upon the mercy of God. And do you know how God responded? There were still consequences to David’s terrible sins of adultery and murder, but he was forgiven. God’s mercy triumphed over his justice through repentance and faith. This too is a blessed pattern revealed in the Bible. But do you know who would eventually be born to David and Bathsheba? Solomon. God used the redemption of David’s sin in the story of his people. Now that’s curious! But “…we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” (Ro 8:28). Ok! But someone might be wondering, “How is this three-fold act of divine providence, of raising up three adversaries against Solomon, how is this God working for the good?” Great question! I see this through the lens of Hebrews 12:7–11 (NIV), “7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father…but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.” When God made Solomon aware of his sin, he could have humbled himself, repented, and trusted in God’s mercy. But he didn’t. When God raised up these painful adversaries, he could’ve seen this as his Father in heaven disciplining him for his good because of his great love for him. But he didn’t. Solomon seems to have seen this as a political problem with a political solution, not a spiritual problem with a spiritual solution. When we make a mess of our lives, we might rightly wonder, “Will God turn from a kind and loving Father into a cold-hearted Judge?” Well, did he for Solomon? Not at all! God would’ve been well within his rights to deliver immediate justice for the king who had repaid all his kindness and blessings by forsaking him. If I made up the story, I would’ve had God squash Solomon like a little disrespectful bug. But God was very patient with Solomon. He kept speaking to him. He kept giving him opportunities to turn back. God even allowed his son to succeed him as the king, albeit over the much smaller kingdom of Judah. But “God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance” (Ro 2:4). God “is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance” (2 Pe 3:9). Solomon should’ve responded in repentance! Would he ever? We can’t say for sure. However, as we’ll see next week from the book of Ecclesiastes, it seems Solomon might’ve eventually come to see the error of his ways. I think so, and one day we’ll find out for sure. But for today, what do we do with all this? How might we apply this to our lives? Well, even if you’re at the very lowest point of your life, and even if it’s all your fault, in Christ, you don’t have to worry about facing a cold-hearted Judge. God is the judge, but he is never cold-hearted and often offers many chances to turn back to him. You very likely might have some painful consequences of your sin, especially if you’re in a mess of your own making. But it changes everything if you see that painful hardship as the discipline of a loving Father who hasn’t given up on you. That perspective can become an opportunity to turn back to God, to grow in your knowledge of him and your faith in him, to trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean a little less on your own understanding. You might be able to grow in humility and (as is often the case) in love, joy, and peace as well. But do you know why we can be sure of God’s mercy and grace when everything is falling apart? And even when we are to blame? Because of another man who had to flee to Egypt before coming back to the Promised Land (not Joseph or Hadad). Because of another Son of David and anointed King of the Kingdom of God (not Solomon). Did you catch the clue at the end of our passage that points to this source of hope? What was the last thing God said to Jeroboam? v. 39 “I will humble David’s descendants because of this, but not forever.” Not forever. Things were about to get pretty dark. For all the good that King Solomon had done, he had made a total mess. His descendants would have to be humbled, and the kingdom would be splintered and almost destroyed, but not forever. There would come a day when the Lord Jesus Christ would come, and he would come in humility, the eternal Son of God sent from heaven, sent to seek and to save the lost, one who preached that we should repent and believe the good news. And was humbly willing to give his life on the cross to pay the price for the sins of the world. But on the third day, when Jesus rose again from the dead, he wasn’t raised in humility. He was raised in glory! So today, all who repent and believe in Jesus can be saved. Our Father might still discipline us, but it’s because he loves us. And our Lord might rebuke us because we are on a path of destruction, but it’s because he loves us. And he might humble us for a season, but it’s because of his great love for us. So let us turn to him and trust him and praise him…and live. Let us pray.
