Session 3 1 Kings 11:1-13
listen for the far-reaching consequences of Solomon’s disobedience.
9 The LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD,
the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.
10 He had commanded him about this, so that he would not follow other gods,
but Solomon did not do what the LORD had commanded.11 Then the LORD said to Solomon,
“Since you have done this and did not keep my covenant and my statutes,
which I commanded you, I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant.
12 However, I will not do it during your lifetime for the sake of your father David;
I will tear it out of your son’s hand.
13 Yet I will not tear the entire kingdom away from him.
I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of my servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem that I chose.”
God’s Mercy and God’s Holiness.
identify words and phrases in verses 9-13
that show evidence of God’s mercy and holiness.
Record responses under the appropriate headings.
God’s words of punishment for Solomon’s sin did come to pass—
after his death, the nation of Israel was divided.
Read Nehemiah 13:26-27
Nehemiah 13:26-27 NASB26 "Did not Solomon king of Israel sin regarding these things?
Yet among the many nations there was no king like him,
and he was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel;
nevertheless the foreign women caused even him to sin.27 "Do we then hear about you that you have committed all this great evil
by acting unfaithfully against our God by marrying foreign women?"
highlight how the prophet Nehemiah pointed to Solomon as an example of spiritual compromise,
when he urged the exiles to avoid the same mistake.
God showed grace and mercy toward Solomon,
but He held Solomon accountable for his disobedience.
Call for a volunteer to read aloud the summary statements under Apply the Text (p. 32).
Lead the group to examine their lives for areas where they may be slipping into spiritual compromise.
Encourage the group to reflect on the first question set on page 32 throughout this coming week.
What warning in the Bible do you find the most difficult to heed?
In what areas are you most vulnerable,
just as Solomon was? Reflect on how God’s warnings protect you.
Thank God for His protection and ask Him to help you stay within His boundaries.
Close in prayer,
thanking God for the boundaries He provides for our protection.
Pray that we will seek His strength in giving Him our undivided attention and obedience.
Reinforce the study by evaluating where group members might be tempted toward spiritual compromise. Consider how compromise might not be obvious choices of right versus wrong, but rather subtle decisions that hinder our relationship with God over time.34