The hopefulness and unity of the kingdom of Israel glimpsed in last week’s readings are no more.

Jealousy, greed, and selfishness in David’s household and among his descendants, have led to coups, rape, murders, and rebellions. Royal projects and policies have placed a heavy burden upon the citizens to supply crops, animals, and other materials. Both King David and his son King Solomon implemented systems of forced labor. Both favored certain cities and tribal affiliations over others. Both developed strategic international alliances through marriages to the daughters of foreign rulers. Solomon built cities to store the chariots, horses, cavalry, and other goods he amassed. He made shields and goblets of gold. Solomon built a magnificent temple in Jerusalem and led a massive procession, with innumerable sacrifices, to transfer the ark to the inner sanctuary of the temple. Solomon also built worship sites (“high places”) for the gods of all his foreign wives, and “walked after” the goddess Astarte and the god Milcom.

Solomon had a heart (loyalty) problem. ...