1 Kings 11:14-40 - Solomon's Enemies

14 And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, one Hadad, an Edomite and of the king's lineage of Edom. 15 For when David was in Edom, and Joab the captain of the host was gone up to bury them that were slain, he smote all the males in Edom - 16 for Joab remained six months, and all Israel, till he had rooted out all the males that were in Edom. 17 And this Hadad fled, and certain other Edomites of his father's servants with him, to go to Egypt; Hadad being yet a little lad. 18 And they arose out of Midian and went to Paran, and took men with them out of Paran and came to Egypt unto Pharaoh king thereof, which gave him a house, and appointed him victuals and gave him lands. 19 And Hadad gat great favour in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him to wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the Queen. 20 And the sister of Tahpenes bare him Genubath his son. And Tahpenes weaned him in Pharaoh's house. And he was in Pharaoh's house among the sons of Pharaoh.

21 And when Hadad heard say in Egypt that David was laid to sleep with his fathers, and that Joab the captain of the host was dead also, he said to Pharaoh, "Let me depart, that I may go to mine own country."

22 Then said Pharaoh unto him, "What lackest thou here with me, that thou wouldest go to thine own country?" And he said, "Nothing: howbeit, let me go."

23 And God stirred up another adversary, one Rezon the son of Eliada, which fled from Hadadezer king of Zobah his master. 24 Which Rezon gathered men unto him and became captain over the company, when David slew them. And they went to Damascus and dwelt therein, and reigned in Damascus. 25 And he was an adversary to Israel all the days of Solomon, with the evil that Hadad did, which abhorred Israel and reigned in Syria.

26 And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zeredah - whose mother was called Zeruah and was a widow and Solomon's servant - lifted up his hand against the king. And hereof came it, that he lifted up his hand against the king. 27 Solomon built Mello and mended broken places in the city of David his father. 28 And this fellow Jeroboam was an active man. And when Solomon saw the young man, that he wrought so lustily in the work, he made him ruler over all the charges of the house of Joseph.

29 And it chanced, at that season, as Jeroboam was gone out of Jerusalem, that the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite met him by the way, having a new mantle on him, and they two alone in the field. 30 And Ahijah caught the new mantle that was on him and rent it in twelve pieces, 31 and said to Jeroboam, "Take thee ten pieces. For this sayeth the LORD God of Israel, 'Behold, I will rent the kingdom out of the hands of Solomon and will give ten tribes to thee, 32 and he shall have one, for my servant David's sake and for Jerusalem the city which I have chosen out of all the tribes of Israel: 33 because they have forsaken me, and have bowed themselves unto Ashtaroth the God of the Sidonians, and to Chemosh the God of the Moabites and to Milcom the God of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that pleaseth me, and mine ordinances and customs, as David his father.

34 Howbeit, I will take none of the kingdom out of his hand: but will make him chief all his life long, for David my servant's sake, which I chose: because he kept my commandments and ordinances. 35 But I will take the kingdom out of his son's hand and will give unto thee ten tribes of it: 36 and will give his son one, that David my servant may have a light always before me in Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen me, to put my name there. 37 And I will take thee, and thou shalt reign upon all that thy soul desireth and shalt be king over Israel.

38 And if thou shalt hearken unto all that I command thee, and shalt walk in my ways and do that is right in my sight, that thou keep mine ordinances and commandments as David my servant did: then will I be with thee and build thee a house that shall continue, as I built for my servant David, and will give Israel unto thee. 39 And therewith will I vex the seed of David, but not forever.'"

40 And Solomon sought to kill Jeroboam: wherefore Jeroboam arose and fled into Egypt unto Shishak king of Egypt and continued there until the death of Solomon.