Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. But Jeroboam arose and fled into Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Here's something striking about this passage: While Solomon is usually remembered for his wisdom, here we see him driven by fear and a desire for revenge, even seeking to kill a man. This dramatic turn highlights how even the wisest can fall prey to insecurity and how God's plans often unfold through unexpected exiles and escapes, not just through royal decree.
Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. But Jeroboam arose and fled into Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Following Solomon's spiritual decline, a young man named Jeroboam is identified by the prophet Ahijah as destined to rule over ten of Israel's tribes. When Solomon hears of this prophecy and the potential rebellion, he attempts to have Jeroboam killed, forcing him to flee the country for safety. Jeroboam remains in exile in Egypt throughout the rest of Solomon's reign, setting the stage for the kingdom's dramatic division after Solomon's death.
Even the wisest and most favored can stumble. Solomon's story is a powerful reminder that spiritual compromise has real consequences.
King Solomon, once the epitome of wisdom and devotion, tragically strayed from God in his later years. His heart was turned after foreign gods due to his many foreign wives (1 Kings 11:1-3). This spiritual drift didn't just affect him personally; it had political ramifications. His rebellion against God led to God raising up adversaries against him, like Hadad the Edomite and Rezon of Damascus (1 Kings 11:14, 23). Jeroboam's rebellion and subsequent flight are part of this larger picture of God's judgment on Solomon's unfaithfulness. The very favor and prosperity Solomon enjoyed became the soil where seeds of division and opposition grew.
When kings turn enemies, and plots are hatched, God is still sovereignly at work.
The verse shows a direct threat: Solomon sought to kill Jeroboam. This wasn't a minor disagreement; it was a death sentence for a rising figure in the kingdom. Yet, God intervened. Jeroboam 'arose and fled into Egypt.' Egypt, often an adversary to Israel, becomes a place of refuge. This highlights God's ability to use even unlikely circumstances and places to protect those He has chosen and to carry out His plans. Jeroboam found safety and waited out Solomon's reign, setting the stage for his future leadership of the northern tribes after Solomon's death. God's hand is evident in Jeroboam's escape and survival, ensuring His prophetic word would come to pass.
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This verse highlights the internal political instability brewing within Israel even during Solomon's famed prosperous reign, foreshadowing the kingdom's eventual division. Jeroboam's exile in Egypt places him directly in contact with a foreign power, which would later play a significant role in the northern kingdom's religious and political development.
c. 970 BC
Reign of David Begins
David unifies the tribes of Israel and establishes Jerusalem as the capital, ushering in a golden age for the nation.
c. 970-931 BC
Reign of Solomon
Solomon succeeds David, building the First Temple in Jerusalem and ruling during a period of great prosperity and international influence.
Unknown date during Solomon's reign— this verse
Jeroboam's Rebellion and Flight
Jeroboam, an official under Solomon, is identified as a potential threat. He flees to Egypt to escape Solomon's desire to kill him.
c. 931 BC
Death of Solomon
Solomon dies after a long reign, leaving behind a wealthy but increasingly divided kingdom. His death marks the end of a unified Israel.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's death, the northern tribes revolt under Jeroboam, leading to the division of the united kingdom into Israel (north) and Judah (south).
c. 945-925 BC
Reign of Shishak I in Egypt
Shishak I, the founder of Egypt's 22nd Dynasty, reigned during this period, making him the contemporary Egyptian pharaoh to whom Jeroboam fled.
This passage describes Jeroboam's return from Egypt and his role in the division of the kingdom, directly following the events of Solomon's later reign.
1 Kings 14:25-26This highlights the continued presence and threat of Egypt during the divided kingdom, showing Shishak's later invasion as a consequence of the kingdom's sin.
Ecclesiastes 2:9This verse from Solomon's own reflection points to the vastness of his achievements, but also implicitly hints at the seeds of his later spiritual decline which would lead to such political instability.
Romans 11:22Paul uses the concept of God's kindness and severity, which is seen in Solomon's life – great blessings followed by a fall that led to consequences like Jeroboam's rebellion.
Here's something striking about this passage: While Solomon is usually remembered for his wisdom, here we see him driven by fear and a desire for revenge, even seeking to kill a man. This dramatic turn highlights how even the wisest can fall prey to insecurity and how God's plans often unfold through unexpected exiles and escapes, not just through royal decree.
Following Solomon's spiritual decline, a young man named Jeroboam is identified by the prophet Ahijah as destined to rule over ten of Israel's tribes. When Solomon hears of this prophecy and the potential rebellion, he attempts to have Jeroboam killed, forcing him to flee the country for safety. Jeroboam remains in exile in Egypt throughout the rest of Solomon's reign, setting the stage for the kingdom's dramatic division after Solomon's death.
Following Solomon's spiritual decline, a young man named Jeroboam is identified by the prophet Ahijah as destined to rule over ten of Israel's tribes. When Solomon hears of this prophecy and the potential rebellion, he attempts to have Jeroboam killed, forcing him to flee the country for safety. Jeroboam remains in exile in Egypt throughout the rest of Solomon's reign, setting the stage for the kingdom's dramatic division after Solomon's death.
"Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. But Jeroboam arose and fled into Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon." — Here's something striking about this passage: While Solomon is usually remembered for his wisdom, here we see him driven by fear and a desire for revenge, even seeking to kill a man. This dramatic tu…
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Last reviewed October 2026