1 Kings 11:42

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 11:41-43

We have here the conclusion of Solomon's story, and in it, 1. Reference is had to another history then extant, but (not being divinely inspired) since lost, the Book of the Acts of Solomon, 1 Kgs. 11:41. Probably this book was written by a chronologer or historiographer, whom Solomon employed to write his annals, out of which the sacred writer extracted what God saw fit to transmit to the church. 2. A summary of the years of his reign (1 Kgs. 11:42): He reigned in Jerusalem (not, as his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 11:42

And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem, over all Israel, was forty years. The same says Eupolemus F26 Apud Euseb. Praepar. Evangel. l. 9. c. 34. , an Heathen writer, who makes him to live but fifty two years; which is the common tradition of the Jews, who suppose he was but twelve years of age when he began to reign; which is to be confuted from the age of his son Rehoboam, see 1 Kings 14:21 . Josephus F1 Antiqu. l. 8. c. 7. sect. 8. , on the other hand, makes him to... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 11:42

Solomon reigned - forty years - Josephus says fourscore years, which is sufficiently absurd. Calmet supposes him to have been eighteen years old when he came to the throne, and that he died A.M. 3029, aged fifty-eight years; and, when we consider the excess in which he lived, and the criminal passions which he must have indulged among his thousand wives, and their idolatrous and impure worship, this life was as long as could be reasonably expected. read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 11:26-43

The call to Jeroboam. I. THE UNWEARIED EFFORTS OF GOD TO WIN MEN FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS . This is the beginning of the story of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin. 1 . He is met by mercy . The widow's son is made king of Israel. 2 . By counsel and promise ( 1 Kings 11:38 ). The seed is east upon the stony ground and among the thorns, as well as upon the good soil. Learn— 1 . That, like the great husbandman, we should sow the seed of the... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 11:40-43

Solomon's End. There is peculiar interest attaching to the earlier and later days of men who have made a figure in history. Here we have the brief record of the end of a character famed for wisdom above all mere men, upon which we have sadly to meditate that— I. HE SANK UNDER A DENSE CLOUD . 1 . His morning was very bright . 2 . But his evening was very black . II. BUT IS THERE NO SUNSHINE IN THE CLOUD ? Some think they see it— 1 . In ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 11:42

And the time [Heb. days ] that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years. [Josephus, here as elsewhere, doubles the figure, making his reign to have lasted eighty years. It is somewhat remarkable, but affords no just ground for suspicion, that each of the first three kings of Israel should have reigned just forty years. "Such numerical coincidences occur in exact history. Saosduchinus, Chiniladanus, and Nabopolassar, three consecutive kings of Babylon, reigned... read more

Albert Barnes

Albert Barnes' Notes on the Whole Bible - 1 Kings 11:42

Josephus gave Solomon a reign of 80 years, either because he wished to increase the glory of his country’s greatest king, or through his having a false reading in his copy of the Septuagint Version. It is, no doubt, remarkable that the three successive kings, Saul, David, and Solomon, should have each reigned forty years Act 13:21; 2 Samuel 5:4-5; but such numerical coincidences occur from time to time in exact history. read more

Joseph Benson

Joseph Benson's Commentary of the Old and New Testaments - 1 Kings 11:42-43

1 Kings 11:42-43. The time that Solomon reigned was forty years His reign was as long as his father’s, but not his life: sin shortened his days. And Solomon slept with his fathers This expression is promiscuously used concerning good and bad, and signifies only, that they died as their fathers did. And was buried in the city of David his father Thus concludes the history of this great man; without any the least mention of his repentance, or of his bringing forth any of the proper fruits... read more

Donald C. Fleming

Bridgeway Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 11:1-43

Solomon’s idolatry (11:1-43)Although some of Solomon’s marriages were for political purposes, most of his wives and concubines were probably given to him as gifts. These women usually brought their gods into Israel, and Solomon’s weakness in worshipping these gods led finally to his downfall (11:1-8). God’s judgment on Solomon and Israel was to bring the long-standing friction between northerners and southerners to a climax in the division of the kingdom. Only Solomon’s tribe Judah (which had... read more

E.W. Bullinger

E.W. Bullinger's Companion Bible Notes - 1 Kings 11:42

forty years: 920-880 B.C. read more

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