And so Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam, but he escaped to King Shishak of Egypt and stayed there until Solomon’s death.
Solomon trying to kill Jeroboam led to the plundering of the temple, the contents of which he spent a lifetime collecting (1 Kings 14:25-26).
Solomon… was king in Jerusalem over all Israel for forty years. He died and was buried in David’s City, and his son Rehoboam succeeded him as king.
The last time a king would reign over all Israel. Solomon did not invest in his own successor / son (1 Kings 12:8-17). His life would later be relegated to legend (Matthew 6:28-29): a point of reference of wealth and wisdom but not for behavior unlike his father David (2 Rois 14:3). During his whole life, all the attention and glory was on him (1 Kings 4:34). To what end? May my life speak even after my death, Father (Hebrews 11:4).
The people of the northern tribes sent for him, and then they all went together to Rehoboam and said to him, “Your father Solomon treated us harshly and placed heavy burdens on us. If you make these burdens lighter and make life easier for us, we will be your loyal subjects.”
We can add arrogance to Solomon’s attributes. He was indeed above mortal men in so many ways. How though he could have enriched others if he had rather lifted them up to his level. May I always be humble, Lord.
King Rehoboam consulted the older men who had served as his father Solomon’s advisers. “What answer do you advise me to give these people?” he asked.
They replied, “If you want to serve this people well, give a favorable answer to their request, and they will always serve you loyally.”
The only true model: rule to serve (Luke 19:16-17). May I have that priviledge one day, Father.
But he ignored the advice of the older men and went instead to the young men who had grown up with him and who were now his advisers. “What do you advise me to do?” he asked. “What shall I say to the people who are asking me to make their burdens lighter?”
They replied, “This is what you should tell them: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist!’”
Anyone who looks for council among his piers is looking to hear his own voice. An end result here isn’t even looked for (as in the case with the older men). To incite fear. Arrogance. “How dare these low lifes challenge me!”