And Solomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David his father. And Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Even in the grand sweep of kings and kingdoms, notice the quiet finality here: Solomon, the wisest man, just "slept with his fathers." His reign, with all its glory and its deep failings, ends not with a bang, but with the same common human experience of death and burial. The torch, as it were, is passed to his son, marking the beginning of a new chapter, and importantly, a new set of struggles.
And Solomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David his father. And Rehoboam his son reigned in his place.
English Standard Version (ESV)
This verse marks the end of King Solomon's long and mostly prosperous reign, which began with great promise but ended with him turning away from God. Immediately following this is the story of his son Rehoboam, who inherits a kingdom fractured by Solomon's later decisions, setting the stage for the division of Israel.
Every life leaves a mark, but how do we measure the legacy of a king like Solomon? The Bible offers a stark, final assessment.
A Legacy of Wisdom and Warning
This verse marks the end of Solomon's long and complex reign. We know Solomon for his incredible wisdom, the building of the Temple, and his initial devotion to God. However, the books of Kings don't shy away from his later failures – his many foreign wives, his idolatry, and the turning away of his heart from God.
This final, brief mention in verse 43 focuses solely on his death and burial, with no mention of his wisdom or accomplishments. It's a sobering reminder that how we finish our race matters. Our faithfulness in the end is the true measure of our lives lived for God.
Every generation faces its own challenges. The transition of power from Solomon to his son Rehoboam wasn't just a change in leadership; it was a pivotal moment with devastating consequences.
The Seeds of Division
The transition from Solomon to Rehoboam is crucial. While this verse simply states Rehoboam 'reigned in his place,' the preceding and following chapters reveal the immense pressure Rehoboam faced and his disastrous response.
Solomon's sin had not gone unnoticed by God. Though God promised to leave David a lamp in Jerusalem (a reference to the Davidic line), He also declared that the kingdom would be torn apart because of Solomon's disobedience. Rehoboam's foolishness in 1 Kings 12 directly led to the division of the united monarchy into two separate kingdoms: Israel and Judah. This division had profound, long-lasting effects on their history and spiritual trajectory.
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Understand the original words
shakab · Hebrew Verb
A common biblical euphemism for death, often implying a peaceful departure or resting in the hope of the covenantal promises made to one's ancestors.
David · Hebrew Proper Noun
The primary historical seat of the Davidic dynasty, symbolizing the center of true worship, covenantal rule, and the promise of the coming Messiah.
malak · Hebrew Verb
Used in this context to indicate the transfer of royal authority and power from one king to his appointed successor within the royal lineage.
Solomon's death marks a pivotal moment, transitioning from a united, golden age to a divided kingdom, with his son Rehoboam inheriting a deeply fractured legacy.
c. 1015 BC
David Captures Jerusalem
King David establishes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel, consolidating the nation and laying the groundwork for his son Solomon's unified kingdom.
c. 1010 BC
Solomon's Temple Construction Begins
Solomon begins building the magnificent First Temple in Jerusalem, a project that signifies Israel's peak of power and religious devotion.
c. 970 BC— this verse
Solomon's Reign Ends
After a long and prosperous reign, marked by great building projects and international influence, Solomon dies, leaving a vast but potentially unstable kingdom.
c. 970 BC
Rehoboam Succeeds Solomon
Solomon's son, Rehoboam, ascends to the throne. His harsh response to the elders' request for relief from heavy taxes leads to the kingdom's division.
c. 970 BC
Kingdom Divides
Ten northern tribes break away from Rehoboam, forming the separate Kingdom of Israel. Only Judah and Benjamin remain loyal, forming the Kingdom of Judah centered in Jerusalem.
This passage shows the precedent of kings being buried with their fathers, highlighting the continuation of David's dynasty and its associated burial practices even after Solomon's reign.
2 Chronicles 12:13This verse also mentions Rehoboam reigning after Solomon, reinforcing the succession of the throne and connecting Solomon's death to his son's ascension.
Ecclesiastes 2:10Solomon himself reflects on the vanity of earthly pursuits, which provides a profound backdrop to his eventual death and burial, reminding us that all worldly achievements ultimately pass.
Psalm 49:10-12This psalm speaks to the common fate of all people, including the wise and wealthy, to die and leave their possessions behind, a truth starkly illustrated by the burial of the once-great King Solomon.
Even in the grand sweep of kings and kingdoms, notice the quiet finality here: Solomon, the wisest man, just "slept with his fathers." His reign, with all its glory and its deep failings, ends not with a bang, but with the same common human experience of death and burial. The torch, as it were, is passed to his son, marking the beginning of a new chapter, and importantly, a new set of struggles.
This verse marks the end of King Solomon's long and mostly prosperous reign, which began with great promise but ended with him turning away from God. Immediately following this is the story of his son Rehoboam, who inherits a kingdom fractured by Solomon's later decisions, setting the stage for the division of Israel.
This verse marks the end of King Solomon's long and mostly prosperous reign, which began with great promise but ended with him turning away from God. Immediately following this is the story of his son Rehoboam, who inherits a kingdom fractured by Solomon's later decisions, setting the stage for the division of Israel.
"And Solomon slept with his fathers and was buried in the city of David his father. And Rehoboam his son reigned in his place." — Even in the grand sweep of kings and kingdoms, notice the quiet finality here: Solomon, the wisest man, just "slept with his fathers." His reign, with all its glory and its deep failings, ends not wi…
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Last reviewed October 2026