What happened to Solomon’s empire after his death?

Following the death of Solomon, his empire fractured due to internal tensions and political mismanagement. The biblical account indicates that Solomon’s reign was characterized by significant wealth and building projects, but also by potential favoritism toward his own tribe of Judah and a lack of economic diffusion among the general population.1

When Solomon’s son, Rehoboam, ascended to the throne, he refused to accept terms proposed by the northern tribes regarding their governance. Consequently, the northern tribes seceded and established their own kingdom of Israel under the leadership of Jeroboam. This division left the descendants of Solomon with only the southern kingdom of Judah. Ultimately, Solomon’s empire was lost, and the region remained split into two often-hostile kingdoms.21