1 Kings 11: Group Study Handout

How to use: read 1 Kings 11 aloud together, then take the questions in order. One page is enough for an evening.

Overview

King Solomon loved many foreign women, including the daughter of Pharaoh and women of various nations (vv. 1-2). These wives led him to worship other gods, turning his heart away from Yahweh (vv.

Key verse

“Therefore Yahweh said to Solomon, “Because this is done by you, and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you, and will give it to your servant.”
1 Kings 11:11 (WEB)

Outline

1 Kings 11:1–8 Solomon's Foreign Wives and Idolatry
1 Kings 11:9–13 God's Anger and Judgment
1 Kings 11:14–40 Adversaries Raised Against Solomon
1 Kings 11:41–43 Conclusion of Solomon's Reign

Discussion questions

In v3, how many wives and concubines did Solomon have?
What was the consequence of Solomon's actions described in vv. 11-12?
Yahweh's anger in v9: why is it significant that He had appeared to Solomon twice?
In v33, why does God mention the worship of other gods as a key reason for tearing the kingdom away?
When have you felt your priorities shift due to influences in your life, as Solomon did in v4?

Go deeper

Passages that echo 1 Kings 11: 1 Kings 12, 1 Kings 9, 1 Kings 14.

Before next time: read 1 Kings 12.