Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. And Jeroboam arose, and fled into Egypt, unto Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon.
1 KINGS 11:40KJVWhat does 1 Kings 11:40 mean?
1 Kings 11:40 describes how King Solomon tried to kill Jeroboam, but Jeroboam escaped to Egypt and stayed there under the protection of King Shishak until Solomon died. This verse shows the tension and danger Jeroboam faced after Solomon learned of his potential threat to the throne.
In this part of 1 Kings, Solomon is reacting to the prophecy that Jeroboam would become king over part of Israel. Jeroboam, fearing for his life, flees to Egypt, which was a common place of refuge for those escaping danger in Israel. The mention of Shishak, king of Egypt, sets up future events in the story and highlights the political connections between Israel and Egypt at the time.
The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 11:40
- "Sought" (בִּקֵּשׁ, biqqēsh): This word means to seek or to try, and here it emphasizes Solomon’s active intention and effort to have Jeroboam killed, not just a passing thought.
- "Fled" (בָּרַח, barach): This word means to run away or escape, showing Jeroboam’s urgent need to leave for his own safety.
- "Death" (מָוֶת, mavet): The verse notes Jeroboam stayed in Egypt "until the death" of Solomon, marking a clear endpoint for his exile and hinting at a change in circumstances after Solomon's reign.
Why 1 Kings 11:40 matters
- This verse clarifies that Solomon saw Jeroboam as a real threat and took serious action against him, not just harboring suspicion or resentment.
- The mention of Egypt and King Shishak introduces a major foreign power that will play a significant role in Israel’s future, especially after Solomon’s death.
- It connects to the larger narrative of how God’s prophecy about the division of the kingdom begins to unfold, showing the real-life consequences for the people involved.