1. Hadad and Rezon (14-25)

Solomon's heart had turned from God to his wives and their idols. So the Lord raised up adversaries. One was Hadad the Edomite. When Joab struck down the men of Edom, Prince Hadad escaped to Egypt. After David's death, he returned to Edom, on Israel's southern border. His strong connection with Egypt made him a dangerous adversary. Another adversary was Rezon, a former officer of Hadadezer. When David had conquered Zobar, Rezon had escaped to Damascus and taken control of Aram (Syria) to the north of Israel.

2. Jeroboam son of Nebat (26-43)

The real enemy was within. It was spiritual adultery. God would punish Israel because Solomon had led them into sin. Jeroboam was an able young man and a natural leader. One day Ahijah the prophet met Jeroboam and promised him that if he obeyed God and kept his law, God would establish his dynasty over the 10 tribes of Israel as he had established David's kingdom.

Application: Lord, keep my heart from idols. Protect me from enemies within and without.
One Word: We need God's protection