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 11:40KJV
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1 Kings 11:40 (KJV)

What 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.

Where else these words appear

“Shishak” Hebrew H7895 · used in 6 verses

  • 1 Kings 14:25 And it came to pass in the fifth year of king Rehoboam, that Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem:
  • 2 Chronicles 12:2 And it came to pass, that in the fifth year of king Rehoboam Shishak king of Egypt came up against Jerusalem, because they had transgressed against the LORD,
  • 2 Chronicles 12:7 And when the LORD saw that they humbled themselves, the word of the LORD came to Shemaiah, saying, They have humbled themselves; therefore I will not destroy them, but I will grant them some deliverance; and my wrath shall not be poured out upon Jerusalem by the hand of Shishak.

“fled” Hebrew H1272 · used in 64 verses

  • Genesis 16:6 But Abram said unto Sarai, Behold, thy maid is in thy hand; do to her as it pleaseth thee. And when Sarai dealt hardly with her, she fled from her face.
  • 1 Samuel 22:20 And one of the sons of Ahimelech the son of Ahitub, named Abiathar, escaped, and fled after David.
  • Job 14:2 He cometh forth like a flower, and is cut down: he fleeth also as a shadow, and continueth not.

“Jeroboam” Hebrew H3379 · used in 95 verses

  • 1 Kings 11:26 And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king.
  • 1 Kings 15:1 Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of Nebat reigned Abijam over Judah.
  • 2 Kings 15:8 In the thirty and eighth year of Azariah king of Judah did Zachariah the son of Jeroboam reign over Israel in Samaria six months.