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class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/1_kings/11.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter">  (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/1_kings/11.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/1_kings/11.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />Solomon worshiped Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech, the detestable god of the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/1_kings/11.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/1_kings/11.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Solomon followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/1_kings/11.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/1_kings/11.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/1_kings/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />For Solomon became a follower of Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and of Milcom the abhorrent idol of the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/1_kings/11.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and after Milcom the detestable idol of the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/1_kings/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and after Milcom the detestable idol of the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/1_kings/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and after Milcom the detestable idol of the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/1_kings/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />For Solomon went after Ashtoreth, the [fertility] goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the horror (detestable idol) of the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/1_kings/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Solomon followed Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and Milcom, the abhorrent idol of the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/1_kings/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Solomon followed Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and Milcom, the detestable idol of the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/1_kings/11.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/1_kings/11.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />Solomon also worshiped Astarte the goddess of Sidon, and Milcom the disgusting god of Ammon. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/1_kings/11.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/1_kings/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />Solomon followed Astarte (the goddess of the Sidonians) and Milcom (the disgusting idol of the Ammonites).<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/1_kings/11.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />He worshiped Astarte, the goddess of Sidon, and Molech, the disgusting god of Ammon. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/1_kings/11.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />Solomon pursued Astarte, the Sidonian goddess, and Milcom, that detestable Ammonite idol. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/1_kings/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Solomon followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/1_kings/11.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />Solomon worshiped the Sidonian goddess Astarte and the detestable Ammonite god Milcom.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/1_kings/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/1_kings/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/1_kings/11.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/1_kings/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And Solomon goes after Ashtoreth goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/1_kings/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> And Solomon goeth after Ashtoreth goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/1_kings/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And Solomon will go after Ashtaroth the god of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/1_kings/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />But Solomon worshipped Astarthe the goddess of the Sidonians, and Moloch the idol of the ammonites. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/1_kings/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />For Solomon worshipped Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and Milcom, the idol of the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/1_kings/11.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />Solomon followed Astarte, the goddess of the Sidonians, and Milcom, the abomination of the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />For Solomon followed Astarte the goddess of the Sidonians, and Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />For Solomon went after Ashtaroth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and after Malcom the god of the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/1_kings/11.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And Solomon went after Astruth, goddess of the Tsidonians, and after Kemosh the feared goddess of the Moabites, and after Malkom, god of the children of Amon.<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/1_kings/11.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the detestation of the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/1_kings/11.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />and to Astarte the abomination of the Sidonians.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/1_kings/11-5.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xx9A0AxPaoQ?start=4267" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/1_kings/11.htm">Solomon's Foreign Wives</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">4</span>For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his father David had been. <span class="reftext">5</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/8010.htm" title="8010: šə·lō·mōh (N-proper-ms) -- David's son and successor to his throne. From shalowm; peaceful; Shelomah, David's successor.">Solomon</a> <a href="/hebrew/1980.htm" title="1980: way·yê·leḵ (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To go, come, walk. Akin to yalak; a primitive root; to walk.">followed</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: ’a·ḥă·rê (Prep) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6253.htm" title="6253: ‘aš·tō·reṯ (N-proper-fp) -- Ashtoreth. Probably for ashtrah; Ashtoreth, the Phoenician goddess of love.">Ashtoreth</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hê (N-mpc) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">the goddess</a> <a href="/hebrew/6722.htm" title="6722: ṣi·ḏō·nîm (N-proper-mp) -- An inhab. of Sidon. Patrial from Tsiydown; a Tsidonian or inhabitant of Tsidon.">of the Sidonians</a> <a href="/hebrew/310.htm" title="310: wə·’a·ḥă·rê (Conj-w:: Prep) -- The hind or following part. From 'achar; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after."></a> <a href="/hebrew/4445.htm" title="4445: mil·kōm (N-proper-ms) -- Malcham -- a Benjamite. Or Milkowm; from melek for Molek; Malcam or Milcom, the national idol of the Ammonites.">and Milcom</a> <a href="/hebrew/8251.htm" title="8251: šiq·quṣ (N-msc) -- Detested thing. Or shiqquts; from shaqats; disgusting, i.e. Filthy; especially idolatrous or an idol.">the abomination</a> <a href="/hebrew/5984.htm" title="5984: ‘am·mō·nîm (N-proper-mp) -- Desc. of Ammon. Patronymically from Ammown; an Ammonite or Ammonitish.">of the Ammonites.</a> </span><span class="reftext">6</span>So Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD; unlike his father David, he did not follow the LORD completely.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/23-13.htm">2 Kings 23:13</a></span><br />The king also desecrated the high places east of Jerusalem, to the south of the Mount of Corruption, which King Solomon of Israel had built for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Sidonians, for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/deuteronomy/7-4.htm">Deuteronomy 7:4</a></span><br />because they will turn your sons away from following Me to serve other gods. Then the anger of the LORD will burn against you, and He will swiftly destroy you.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/judges/2-13.htm">Judges 2:13</a></span><br />for they forsook Him and served Baal and the Ashtoreths.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/17-16.htm">2 Kings 17:16</a></span><br />They abandoned all the commandments of the LORD their God and made for themselves two cast idols of calves and an Asherah pole. They bowed down to all the host of heaven and served Baal.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_kings/21-3.htm">2 Kings 21:3</a></span><br />For he rebuilt the high places that his father Hezekiah had destroyed, and he raised up altars for Baal. He made an Asherah pole, as King Ahab of Israel had done, and he worshiped and served all the host of heaven.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/7-18.htm">Jeremiah 7:18</a></span><br />The sons gather wood, the fathers light the fire, and the women knead the dough to make cakes for the Queen of Heaven; they pour out drink offerings to other gods to provoke Me to anger.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/44-17.htm">Jeremiah 44:17-19</a></span><br />Instead, we will do everything we vowed to do: We will burn incense to the Queen of Heaven and offer drink offerings to her, just as we, our fathers, our kings, and our officials did in the cities of Judah and in the streets of Jerusalem. At that time we had plenty of food and good things, and we saw no disaster. / But from the time we stopped burning incense to the Queen of Heaven and pouring out drink offerings to her, we have lacked everything and have been perishing by sword and famine.” / “Moreover,” said the women, “when we burned incense to the Queen of Heaven and poured out drink offerings to her, was it without our husbands’ knowledge that we made sacrificial cakes in her image and poured out drink offerings to her?”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/zephaniah/1-5.htm">Zephaniah 1:5</a></span><br />those who bow on the rooftops to worship the host of heaven, those who bow down and swear by the LORD but also swear by Milcom,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-43.htm">Acts 7:43</a></span><br />You have taken along the tabernacle of Molech and the star of your god Rephan, the idols you made to worship. Therefore I will send you into exile beyond Babylon.’<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/6-16.htm">2 Corinthians 6:16</a></span><br />What agreement can exist between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be My people.”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/2-14.htm">Revelation 2:14</a></span><br />But I have a few things against you, because some of you hold to the teaching of Balaam, who taught Balak to place a stumbling block before the Israelites so they would eat food sacrificed to idols and commit sexual immorality.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/2-20.htm">Revelation 2:20</a></span><br />But I have this against you: You tolerate that woman Jezebel, who calls herself a prophetess. By her teaching she misleads My servants to be sexually immoral and to eat food sacrificed to idols.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/10-20.htm">1 Corinthians 10:20-21</a></span><br />No, but the sacrifices of pagans are offered to demons, not to God. And I do not want you to be participants with demons. / You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons too; you cannot partake in the table of the Lord and the table of demons too.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/2_corinthians/6-14.htm">2 Corinthians 6:14-15</a></span><br />Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership can righteousness have with wickedness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? / What harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/34-15.htm">Exodus 34:15-16</a></span><br />Do not make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, for when they prostitute themselves to their gods and sacrifice to them, they will invite you, and you will eat their sacrifices. / And when you take some of their daughters as brides for your sons, their daughters will prostitute themselves to their gods and cause your sons to do the same.</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.</p><p class="hdg">Ashtoreth</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/11-33.htm">1 Kings 11:33</a></b></br> Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do <i>that which is</i> right in mine eyes, and <i>to keep</i> my statutes and my judgments, as <i>did</i> David his father.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/2-13.htm">Judges 2:13</a></b></br> And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/judges/10-6.htm">Judges 10:6</a></b></br> And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him.</p><p class="hdg">Milcom</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/1_kings/11-7.htm">1 Kings 11:7</a></b></br> Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that <i>is</i> before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/18-21.htm">Leviticus 18:21</a></b></br> And thou shalt not let any of thy seed pass through <i>the fire</i> to Molech, neither shalt thou profane the name of thy God: I <i>am</i> the LORD.</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/leviticus/20-2.htm">Leviticus 20:2-5</a></b></br> Again, thou shalt say to the children of Israel, Whosoever <i>he be</i> of the children of Israel, or of the strangers that sojourn in Israel, that giveth <i>any</i> of his seed unto Molech; he shall surely be put to death: the people of the land shall stone him with stones… </p><p class="hdg">Molech</p><p class="tskverse"><b><a href="/zephaniah/1-5.htm">Zephaniah 1:5</a></b></br> And them that worship the host of heaven upon the housetops; and them that worship <i>and</i> that swear by the LORD, and that swear by Malcham;</p><p class="hdg">Malcham </p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_samuel/13-4.htm">Abomination</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-1.htm">Ammonites</a> <a href="/2_kings/23-13.htm">Ashtoreth</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-16.htm">Detestable</a> <a href="/leviticus/11-13.htm">Detestation</a> <a href="/deuteronomy/32-16.htm">Disgusting</a> <a href="/1_kings/2-28.htm">Followed</a> <a href="/acts/19-37.htm">Goddess</a> <a href="/1_samuel/19-16.htm">Idol</a> <a href="/zephaniah/1-5.htm">Milcom</a> <a href="/leviticus/20-5.htm">Molech</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-1.htm">Sidonians</a> <a href="/judges/10-12.htm">Sido'nians</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-4.htm">Solomon</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-1.htm">Zidonians</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/11-7.htm">Abomination</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-7.htm">Ammonites</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-33.htm">Ashtoreth</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-7.htm">Detestable</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-7.htm">Detestation</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-7.htm">Disgusting</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-6.htm">Followed</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-33.htm">Goddess</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-7.htm">Idol</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-33.htm">Milcom</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-7.htm">Molech</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-33.htm">Sidonians</a> <a href="/1_chronicles/22-4.htm">Sido'nians</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-6.htm">Solomon</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-33.htm">Zidonians</a><div class="vheading2">1 Kings 11</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/11-1.htm">Solomon's wives and concubines</a></span><br><span class="reftext">4. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/11-4.htm">In his old age they draw him to idolatry</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/11-9.htm">God threatens him,</a></span><br><span class="reftext">14. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/11-14.htm">Solomon's adversaries were Hadad, who was entertained in Egypt</a></span><br><span class="reftext">23. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/11-23.htm">Rezon, who reigned in Damascus</a></span><br><span class="reftext">26. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/11-26.htm">And Jeroboam, to whom Ahijah prophesied</a></span><br><span class="reftext">41. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/1_kings/11-41.htm">Solomon's acts, reign, and death. Rehoboam succeeds him</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br />  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br />  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/11.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/1_kings/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/1_kings/11.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Solomon followed Ashtoreth</b><br>Solomon, known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem, fell into idolatry in his later years. Ashtoreth, also known as Astarte or Ishtar, was a prominent goddess in the ancient Near East, associated with love, war, and fertility. Her worship often involved ritual prostitution and was condemned by the God of Israel. Solomon's following of Ashtoreth signifies a departure from exclusive worship of Yahweh, influenced by his foreign wives (<a href="/1_kings/11.htm">1 Kings 11:1-4</a>). This act of idolatry was a direct violation of the first commandment (<a href="/exodus/20-3.htm">Exodus 20:3</a>) and led to divine judgment on his kingdom.<p><b>the goddess of the Sidonians</b><br>The Sidonians were a Phoenician people living in the city of Sidon, located in modern-day Lebanon. They were known for their maritime trade and polytheistic religion. Ashtoreth was one of their chief deities, and her worship was widespread in the region. The influence of the Sidonians and their gods on Israel highlights the dangers of cultural assimilation and the temptation to adopt foreign religious practices, which were prevalent in the ancient world.<p><b>and Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites</b><br>Milcom, also known as Molech, was the national god of the Ammonites, a people descended from Lot (<a href="/genesis/19-36.htm">Genesis 19:36-38</a>). Worship of Milcom often involved child sacrifice, a practice detestable to the God of Israel (<a href="/leviticus/18-21.htm">Leviticus 18:21</a>). The term "abomination" underscores the severity of this idolatry in the eyes of God. Solomon's worship of Milcom represents a significant moral and spiritual decline, as he not only tolerated but participated in practices that were strictly forbidden (<a href="/deuteronomy/12-31.htm">Deuteronomy 12:31</a>). This idolatry contributed to the eventual division of the kingdom after Solomon's death (<a href="/1_kings/11-11.htm">1 Kings 11:11-13</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a></b><br>The third king of Israel, known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem. His reign is marked by peace and prosperity, but later in life, he turned away from God.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/a/ashtoreth.htm">Ashtoreth</a></b><br>A goddess worshiped by the Sidonians, often associated with fertility, love, and war. Her worship involved practices that were detestable to the God of Israel.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/s/sidonians.htm">Sidonians</a></b><br>People from Sidon, a prominent city in ancient Phoenicia, known for their maritime trade and polytheistic religion.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/m/milcom.htm">Milcom</a></b><br>Also known as Molech, a god worshiped by the Ammonites. His worship included child sacrifice, which was an abomination to the God of Israel.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/a/ammonites.htm">Ammonites</a></b><br>A people descended from Lot, living east of the Jordan River. They were often in conflict with Israel and practiced idolatry.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_compromise.htm">The Danger of Compromise</a></b><br>Solomon's downfall began with small compromises, such as marrying foreign wives who led him to idolatry. Believers must guard against seemingly minor compromises that can lead to spiritual decline.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_influence_of_relationships.htm">The Influence of Relationships</a></b><br>Solomon's relationships with foreign women influenced his heart away from God. Christians should be mindful of the influence of their relationships and ensure they are drawing closer to God, not away from Him.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_consequences_of_idolatry.htm">The Consequences of Idolatry</a></b><br>Idolatry led to Solomon's downfall and the eventual division of the kingdom. Modern believers must identify and remove idols in their lives, whether they be material possessions, relationships, or ambitions.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_to_god's_commands.htm">Faithfulness to God's Commands</a></b><br>Despite Solomon's wisdom, he failed to remain faithful to God's commands. Believers are called to obedience, trusting that God's ways lead to life and blessing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/r/repentance_and_restoration.htm">Repentance and Restoration</a></b><br>While Solomon's account is a warning, it also serves as a reminder of the need for repentance. God is always ready to forgive and restore those who turn back to Him.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_kings_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 11</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_were_fertility_cults_in_the_bible.htm">What were fertility cults in the Bible?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/who_is_ashtoreth.htm">Who is Ashtoreth?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/what_does_'weakness_is_strength'_mean.htm">Who is Ashtoreth?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_king_solomon_considered_saved.htm">Is King Solomon considered saved?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/ellicott/1_kings/11.htm">Ellicott's Commentary for English Readers</a></div>(5) <span class= "bld">Ashtoreth</span> (or, <span class= "ital">Astarte</span>).--The goddess of the Zidonians, and possibly the Hittites, corresponding to Baal, the great Tyrian god, and representing the receptive and productive, as Baal the active and originative, power in Nature. As usual in all phases of Natureworship, Ashtoreth is variously represented, sometimes by the moon, sometimes by the planet Venus (like the Assyrian <span class= "ital">Ishtar</span>, which seems a form of the same name)--in either case regarded as "the queen of heaven." (See <a href="/jeremiah/44-17.htm" title="But we will certainly do whatever thing goes forth out of our own mouth, to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings to her, as we have done, we, and our fathers, our kings, and our princes, in the cities of Judah, and in the streets of Jerusalem: for then had we plenty of victuals, and were well, and saw no evil.">Jeremiah 44:17</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/44-25.htm" title="Thus said the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel, saying; You and your wives have both spoken with your mouths, and fulfilled with your hand, saying, We will surely perform our vows that we have vowed, to burn incense to the queen of heaven, and to pour out drink offerings to her: you will surely accomplish your vows, and surely perform your vows.">Jeremiah 44:25</a>). There seems, indeed, some reason to believe that the name itself is derived from a root which is found both in Syriac and Persian, and which became <span class= "ital">aster</span> in the Greek and <span class= "ital">astrum</span> in Latin, and has thence passed into modern European languages, signifying a "star," or luminary of heaven. With this agrees the ancient name, <span class= "ital">Ashteroth-Karnaim</span> (or, "the horned Ashteroth")of a city in Bashan (<a href="/genesis/14-5.htm" title="And in the fourteenth year came Chedorlaomer, and the kings that were with him, and smote the Rephaims in Ashteroth Karnaim, and the Zuzims in Ham, and the Emins in Shaveh Kiriathaim,">Genesis 14:5</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/1-4.htm" title="After he had slain Sihon the king of the Amorites, which dwelled in Heshbon, and Og the king of Bashan, which dwelled at Astaroth in Edrei:">Deuteronomy 1:4</a>; <a href="/joshua/13-12.htm" title="All the kingdom of Og in Bashan, which reigned in Ashtaroth and in Edrei, who remained of the remnant of the giants: for these did Moses smite, and cast them out.">Joshua 13:12</a>). This place is the first in which the name Ashtoreth is used in the singular number, and expressly limited to the "goddess of the Ziaonians." In the earlier history we hear not unfrequently of the worship of the "Ashtaroth," that is, of the "Ashtoreths," found with the like plural Baalim, as prevalent in Canaan, and adopted by Israel in evil times (see <a href="/judges/2-13.htm" title="And they forsook the LORD, and served Baal and Ashtaroth.">Judges 2:13</a>; <a href="/judges/10-6.htm" title="And the children of Israel did evil again in the sight of the LORD, and served Baalim, and Ashtaroth, and the gods of Syria, and the gods of Zidon, and the gods of Moab, and the gods of the children of Ammon, and the gods of the Philistines, and forsook the LORD, and served not him.">Judges 10:6</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/7-3.htm" title="And Samuel spoke to all the house of Israel, saying, If you do return to the LORD with all your hearts, then put away the strange gods and Ashtaroth from among you, and prepare your hearts to the LORD, and serve him only: and he will deliver you out of the hand of the Philistines.">1Samuel 7:3</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/12-10.htm" title="And they cried to the LORD, and said, We have sinned, because we have forsaken the LORD, and have served Baalim and Ashtaroth: but now deliver us out of the hand of our enemies, and we will serve you.">1Samuel 12:10</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/31-10.htm" title="And they put his armor in the house of Ashtaroth: and they fastened his body to the wall of Bethshan.">1Samuel 31:10</a>); and the worship of the <span class= "ital">Asherah</span> (rendered "groves" in the Authorised version), may perhaps refer to emblems of Astarte. In these cases, however, it seems not unlikely that the phrase, "Baalim and Ashtaroth," may be used generally of the gods and goddesses of various kinds of idolatry. The worship of the Tyrian Ashtoreth, as might be supposed from the idea which she was supposed to represent, was one of chartered license and impurity. . . . <div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_kings/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div><span class="cmt_sub_title">Verse 5.</span> - <span class="cmt_word">For Solomon went after</span> [Rawlinson observes that this expression, which is "common in the Pentateuch, always signifies actual idolatry." He cites <a href="/deuteronomy/11-28.htm">Deuteronomy 11:28</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/13-2.htm">Deuteronomy 13:2</a>; <a href="/deuteronomy/28-14.htm">Deuteronomy 28:14</a>; but it should be considered that in the two passages last cited the words are added, "and <span class="accented">served</span> them." And the true explanation would seem to be that, though "it is not stated that Solomon himself offered sacrifice to these idols," yet "even the building of altars for idols was a participation in idolatry, which was irreconcilable with true fidelity to the Lord" (Keil). Bahr contends that the words "went after Ashtoreth," etc., no more involve personal service than the word "built" in ver. 7 involves personal labour; but both expressions show that he regarded these idolatries not only without disfavour, but with positive approval and practical encouragement. "It is not likely he could be so insensate as to adore such deities, but so far was the uxorious king blinded with affection, that he gave not passage only to the idolatry of his heathenish wives, but furtherance" (Bp. Hall). And the distinction, so far as the sin is concerned, between this and actual idolatry is a fine one. It is not implied, however, that Solomon ever discarded the worship of Jehovah. To the end of his reign he would seem to have offered his solemn sacrifices on the great altar thrice a year. But his heart was elsewhere (ver. 9).] <span class="cmt_word">Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians</span> [<span class="hebrew">עַשְׁתֹּרֶת</span> , <span class="greek">Ἀστάρτη</span>, probably connected with <span class="greek">ἀστήρ</span>, <span class="accented">stella</span>, and <span class="accented">star</span>, by some identified with the planet Venus, by others with the moon, is here mentioned for the first time in the singular (<span class="accented">Ashtaroth</span>, plural, is found in <a href="/genesis/14-5.htm">Genesis 14:5</a>; <a href="/judges/2-13.htm">Judges 2:13</a>; <a href="/judges/10-6.htm">Judges 10:6</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/7-4.htm">1 Samuel 7:4</a>; <a href="/1_samuel/12-10.htm">1 Samuel 12:10</a>, etc.) With Baal, she divided the worship of the Phoenicians, the antiquity of which is evident from <a href="/genesis/14-5.htm">Genesis 14:5</a>; <a href="/numbers/22-41.htm">Numbers 22:41</a>. It was really an impure cultus of the reproductive powers (see below on 1 Kings 14:23). Interesting proof of the existence of a temple of this goddess at Sidon is supplied by an inscription discovered there in 1855 (see Dict. Bib. 1:123) ], <span class="cmt_word">and after Milcom</span> [In <a href="/jeremiah/49-13.htm">Jeremiah 49:13</a>; <a href="/amos/1-15.htm">Amos 1:15</a>, "Malcam," <span class="accented">i.e., their king</span>. According to Gesenius, the same as <span class="accented">Molech</span> (<span class="accented">i.e.</span>, the <span class="accented">king</span>) in ver. 7, though Ewald, Movers, Keil regard them as different deities. But it seems more probable that it was the same deity, worshipped (<a href="/2_kings/23-10.htm">2 Kings 23:10, 13</a>) under different attributes. This is "the first direct historical allusion" to his worship in the Old Testament. A warning against it is found <a href="/leviticus/20-2.htm">Leviticus 20:2-5</a>. He was the fire god, as Baal was the sun god, and the sacrifices offered to him were those of children, who would seem to have not only "passed <span class="accented">through</span> the fire," but to have been burnt therein. <a href="/psalms/106-37.htm">Psalm 106:37, 38</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/7-31.htm">Jeremiah 7:31</a>; <a href="/jeremiah/19-5.htm">Jeremiah 19:5</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/23-39.htm">Ezekiel 23:39</a>, etc. See Dict. Bib. 2:403] <span class="cmt_word">the abomination</span> [<span class="accented">i.e.</span>, the hateful, detestable idol] <span class="cmt_word">of the Ammonites.</span> [It has been suggested (Speaker's Commentary on <a href="/leviticus/20-2.htm">Leviticus 20:2</a>) that the children offered to Molech were children of incest or adultery., and we are reminded that Ammon was the child of <span class="accented">incest</span>. It must he remembered, however, that we have no record of Jewish children passing through the fire to Molech before the time of Ahaz (Bahr, Keil).] <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/1_kings/11-5.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Solomon</span><br /><span class="heb">שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה</span> <span class="translit">(šə·lō·mōh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8010.htm">Strong's 8010: </a> </span><span class="str2">Solomon -- David's son and successor to his throne</span><br /><br /><span class="word">followed</span><br /><span class="heb">וַיֵּ֣לֶךְ</span> <span class="translit">(way·yê·leḵ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1980.htm">Strong's 1980: </a> </span><span class="str2">To go, come, walk</span><br /><br /><span class="word">Ashtoreth</span><br /><span class="heb">עַשְׁתֹּ֔רֶת</span> <span class="translit">(‘aš·tō·reṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6253.htm">Strong's 6253: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ashtoreth</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the goddess</span><br /><span class="heb">אֱלֹהֵ֖י</span> <span class="translit">(’ĕ·lō·hê)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine plural construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> </span><span class="str2">gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the Sidonians</span><br /><span class="heb">צִדֹנִ֑ים</span> <span class="translit">(ṣi·ḏō·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6722.htm">Strong's 6722: </a> </span><span class="str2">Sidonians -- an inhabitant of Sidon</span><br /><br /><span class="word">and Molech</span><br /><span class="heb">מִלְכֹּ֔ם</span> <span class="translit">(mil·kōm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_4445.htm">Strong's 4445: </a> </span><span class="str2">Malcham -- a Benjamite</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the abomination</span><br /><span class="heb">שִׁקֻּ֖ץ</span> <span class="translit">(šiq·quṣ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - masculine singular construct<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_8251.htm">Strong's 8251: </a> </span><span class="str2">Disgusting, filthy, idolatrous, an idol</span><br /><br /><span class="word">of the Ammonites.</span><br /><span class="heb">עַמֹּנִֽים׃</span> <span class="translit">(‘am·mō·nîm)</span><br /><span class="parse">Noun - proper - masculine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_5984.htm">Strong's 5984: </a> </span><span class="str2">Ammonite -- descendants of Ammon</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/11-5.htm">1 Kings 11:5 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/1_kings/11-5.htm">1 Kings 11:5 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/1_kings/11-5.htm">1 Kings 11:5 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/1_kings/11-5.htm">1 Kings 11:5 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/1_kings/11-5.htm">1 Kings 11:5 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/11-5.htm">1 Kings 11:5 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/11-5.htm">1 Kings 11:5 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/11-5.htm">1 Kings 11:5 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/11-5.htm">1 Kings 11:5 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/1_kings/11-5.htm">1 Kings 11:5 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/1_kings/11-5.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 11:5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/11-4.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 11:4"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 11:4" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/11-6.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 11:6"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 11:6" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>