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<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>1 Kings 11:4 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.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/1_kings/11-4.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/6/11_1Ki_11_04.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="1 Kings 11:4 - Solomon's Foreign Wives" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="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." /><script type="application/javascript" src="https://scripts.webcontentassessor.com/scripts/8a2459b64f9cac8122fc7f2eac4409c8555fac9383016db59c4c26e3d5b8b157"></script><script src='https://qd.admetricspro.com/js/biblehub/biblehub-layout-loader-revcatch.js'></script><script id='HyDgbd_1s' src='https://prebidads.revcatch.com/ads.js' type='text/javascript' async></script><script>(function(w,d,b,s,i){var cts=d.createElement(s);cts.async=true;cts.id='catchscript'; 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and his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David. <a href="/nasb_/1_kings/11.htm">New American Standard Bible</a> For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away to follow other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of his father David had been. <a href="/nasb/1_kings/11.htm">NASB 1995</a> For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. <a href="/nasb77/1_kings/11.htm">NASB 1977 </a> For it came about when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. <a href="/lsb/1_kings/11.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a> Now it happened at the time that Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to Yahweh his God, as the heart of David his father had been. <a href="/amp/1_kings/11.htm">Amplified Bible</a> For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not completely devoted to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David. <a href="/csb/1_kings/11.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a> When Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away to follow other gods. He was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his father David had been. <a href="/hcsb/1_kings/11.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a> When Solomon was old, his wives seduced him to follow other gods. He was not completely devoted to Yahweh his God, as his father David had been. <a href="/asv/1_kings/11.htm">American Standard Version</a> For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods; and his heart was not perfect with Jehovah his God, as was the heart of David his father. <a href="/erv/1_kings/11.htm">English Revised Version</a> For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. <a href="/gwt/1_kings/11.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a> In his old age, his wives tempted him to follow other gods. He was no longer committed to the LORD his God as his father David had been. <a href="/gnt/1_kings/11.htm">Good News Translation</a> and by the time he was old they had led him into the worship of foreign gods. He was not faithful to the LORD his God, as his father David had been. <a href="/isv/1_kings/11.htm">International Standard Version</a> because as Solomon grew older, his wives turned his affections away after other gods, and his heart was not fully as devoted to the LORD his God as his father David's heart had been. <a href="/msb/1_kings/11.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a> 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. <a href="/net/1_kings/11.htm">NET Bible</a> When Solomon became old, his wives shifted his allegiance to other gods; he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his father David had been. <a href="/nheb/1_kings/11.htm">New Heart English Bible</a> For it happened, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods; and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. <a href="/wbt/1_kings/11.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a> For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. <a href="/web/1_kings/11.htm">World English Bible</a> When Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods; and his heart was not perfect with Yahweh his God, as the heart of David his father was. <div class="vheading2">Literal Translations</div><a href="/lsv/1_kings/11.htm">Literal Standard Version</a> And it comes to pass, at the time of Solomon’s old age, his wives have turned aside his heart after other gods, and his heart has not been perfect with his God YHWH, like the heart of his father David. <a href="/ylt/1_kings/11.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a> And it cometh to pass, at the time of the old age of Solomon, his wives have turned aside his heart after other gods, and his heart hath not been perfect with Jehovah his God, like the heart of David his father. <a href="/slt/1_kings/11.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a> And it will be at the time of the old age of Solomon his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with Jehovah his God as the heart of David his father.<div class="vheading2">Catholic Translations</div><a href="/drb/1_kings/11.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a> And when he was now old, his heart was turned away by women to follow strange gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. <a href="/cpdv/1_kings/11.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a> And when now he was old, his heart was perverted by the women, so that he followed strange gods. And his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David. <a href="/nabre/1_kings/11.htm">New American Bible</a> When Solomon was old his wives had turned his heart to follow other gods, and his heart was not entirely with the LORD, his God, as the heart of David his father had been. <a href="/nrsvce/1_kings/11.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a> For when Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods; and his heart was not true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David.<div class="vheading2">Translations from Aramaic</div><a href="/lamsa/1_kings/11.htm">Lamsa Bible</a> For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods; and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. <a href="/hpbt/1_kings/11.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a> And it was in the time of the old age of Solomon, his wives seduced his heart after other gods and his heart was not perfect with LORD JEHOVAH his God like the heart of David his father.<div class="vheading2">OT Translations</div><a href="/jps/1_kings/11.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a> For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods; and his heart was not whole with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. <a href="/sep/1_kings/11.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a> And it came to pass in the time of the old age of Solomon, that his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. <a href="/parallel/1_kings/11-4.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv">Audio Bible</div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Xx9A0AxPaoQ?start=4255" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe> <div class="vheadingv">Context</div><a href="/bsb/1_kings/11.htm">Solomon's Foreign Wives</a> …3He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away. 4<a href="/hebrew/6256.htm" title="6256: lə·‘êṯ (Prep-l:: N-csc) -- Time. From ad; time, especially now, when, etc.">For when</a> <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/1961.htm" title="1961: way·hî (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">grew</a> <a href="/hebrew/2209.htm" title="2209: ziq·naṯ (N-fsc) -- Old age. Feminine of zaqen; old age.">old,</a> <a href="/hebrew/802.htm" title="802: nā·šāw (N-fpc:: 3ms) -- Woman, wife, female. Feminine of 'iysh or 'enowsh; irregular plural, nashiym; a woman.">his wives</a> <a href="/hebrew/5186.htm" title="5186: hiṭ·ṭū (V-Hifil-Perf-3cp) -- A primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away; used in a great variety of application.">turned</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’eṯ- (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/3824.htm" title="3824: lə·ḇā·ḇōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Inner man, mind, will, heart. From labab; the heart; used also like leb.">his heart</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.">after</a> <a href="/hebrew/312.htm" title="312: ’ă·ḥê·rîm (Adj-mp) -- Another. From 'achar; properly, hinder; generally, next, other, etc.">other</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hîm (N-mp) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">gods,</a> <a href="/hebrew/1961.htm" title="1961: hā·yāh (V-Qal-Perf-3ms) -- To fall out, come to pass, become, be. A primitive root; to exist, i.e. Be or become, come to pass.">and he was</a> <a href="/hebrew/3808.htm" title="3808: wə·lō- (Conj-w:: Adv-NegPrt) -- Not. Or lowi; or loh; a primitive particle; not; by implication, no; often used with other particles.">not</a> <a href="/hebrew/3824.htm" title="3824: lə·ḇā·ḇōw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Inner man, mind, will, heart. From labab; the heart; used also like leb.">wholeheartedly</a> <a href="/hebrew/8003.htm" title="8003: šā·lêm (Adj-ms) -- Complete, safe, at peace. From shalam; complete; especially friendly.">devoted</a> <a href="/hebrew/5973.htm" title="5973: ‘im- (Prep) -- From amam; adverb or preposition, with, in varied applications; specifically, equally with; often with prepositional prefix.">to</a> <a href="/hebrew/3068.htm" title="3068: Yah·weh (N-proper-ms) -- The proper name of the God of Israel. From hayah; self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God.">the LORD</a> <a href="/hebrew/430.htm" title="430: ’ĕ·lō·hāw (N-mpc:: 3ms) -- Plural of 'elowahh; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used of the supreme God">his God,</a> <a href="/hebrew/3824.htm" title="3824: kil·ḇaḇ (Prep-k:: N-msc) -- Inner man, mind, will, heart. From labab; the heart; used also like leb."></a> <a href="/hebrew/1.htm" title="1: ’ā·ḇîw (N-msc:: 3ms) -- Father. A primitive word; father, in a literal and immediate, or figurative and remote application).">as his father</a> <a href="/hebrew/1732.htm" title="1732: dā·wîḏ (N-proper-ms) -- Perhaps beloved one, a son of Jesse. Rarely; Daviyd; from the same as dowd; loving; David, the youngest son of Jesse.">David had been.</a> 5Solomon followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div> <a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><a href="/deuteronomy/17-17.htm">Deuteronomy 17:17</a> He must not take many wives for himself, lest his heart go astray. He must not accumulate for himself large amounts of silver and gold. <a href="/nehemiah/13-26.htm">Nehemiah 13:26</a> Did not King Solomon of Israel sin in matters like this? There was not a king like him among many nations, and he was loved by his God, who made him king over all Israel—yet foreign women drew him into sin. <a href="/1_kings/3-3.htm">1 Kings 3:3</a> And Solomon loved the LORD and walked in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places. <a href="/1_kings/9-4.htm">1 Kings 9:4-5</a> And as for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, with a heart of integrity and uprightness, doing all I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and ordinances, / then I will establish your royal throne over Israel forever, as I promised your father David when I said, ‘You will never fail to have a man on the throne of Israel.’ <a href="/1_kings/8-61.htm">1 Kings 8:61</a> So let your heart be fully devoted to the LORD our God, as it is this day, to walk in His statutes and to keep His commandments.” <a href="/1_kings/15-3.htm">1 Kings 15:3</a> And Abijam walked in all the sins that his father before him had committed, and his heart was not as fully devoted to the LORD his God as the heart of David his forefather had been. <a href="/2_chronicles/7-17.htm">2 Chronicles 7:17-18</a> And as for you, if you walk before Me as your father David walked, doing all I have commanded you, and if you keep My statutes and ordinances, / then I will establish your royal throne, as I covenanted with your father David when I said, ‘You will never fail to have a man to rule over Israel.’ <a href="/2_chronicles/11-17.htm">2 Chronicles 11:17</a> So they strengthened the kingdom of Judah and supported Rehoboam son of Solomon for three years, because they walked for three years in the way of David and Solomon. <a href="/2_chronicles/12-1.htm">2 Chronicles 12:1</a> After Rehoboam had established his sovereignty and royal power, he and all Israel with him forsook the Law of the LORD. <a href="/psalms/119-2.htm">Psalm 119:2</a> Blessed are those who keep His testimonies and seek Him with all their heart. <a href="/matthew/6-24.htm">Matthew 6:24</a> No one can serve two masters: Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money. <a href="/matthew/22-37.htm">Matthew 22:37</a> Jesus declared, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ <a href="/mark/12-30.htm">Mark 12:30</a> Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ <a href="/luke/16-13.htm">Luke 16:13</a> No servant can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.” <a href="/acts/13-22.htm">Acts 13:22</a> After removing Saul, He raised up David as their king and testified about him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse a man after My own heart; he will carry out My will in its entirety.’</div> <a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div>For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.when Solomon<a href="/1_kings/11-42.htm">1 Kings 11:42</a> And the time that Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel was forty years.<a href="/1_kings/6-1.htm">1 Kings 6:1</a> And it came to pass in the four hundred and eightieth year after the children of Israel were come out of the land of Egypt, in the fourth year of Solomon's reign over Israel, in the month Zif, which is the second month, that he began to build the house of the LORD.<a href="/1_kings/9-10.htm">1 Kings 9:10</a> And it came to pass at the end of twenty years, when Solomon had built the two houses, the house of the LORD, and the king's house,his wives<a href="/1_kings/11-2.htm">1 Kings 11:2</a> Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.<a href="/deuteronomy/7-4.htm">Deuteronomy 7:4</a> For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.<a href="/deuteronomy/17-17.htm">Deuteronomy 17:17</a> Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.<div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/1_kings/9-24.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-61.htm">Devoted</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-61.htm">Fully</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-2.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/2_samuel/21-15.htm">Grew</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-3.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/1_kings/2-27.htm">Longer</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-61.htm">Perfect</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-2.htm">Solomon</a> <a href="/1_kings/9-24.htm">Time</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-6.htm">True.</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-3.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/1_kings/10-24.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/1_kings/8-61.htm">Wholly</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-3.htm">Wives</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/1_kings/11-6.htm">David</a> <a href="/1_kings/15-3.htm">Devoted</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-6.htm">Fully</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-8.htm">Gods</a> <a href="/1_kings/12-8.htm">Grew</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-6.htm">Heart</a> <a href="/1_kings/21-15.htm">Longer</a> <a href="/1_kings/15-3.htm">Perfect</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-5.htm">Solomon</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-29.htm">Time</a> <a href="/1_kings/13-32.htm">True.</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-9.htm">Turned</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-13.htm">Whole</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-6.htm">Wholly</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-8.htm">Wives</a><div class="vheading2">1 Kings 11</div>1. <a href="/1_kings/11-1.htm">Solomon's wives and concubines</a> 4. <a href="/1_kings/11-4.htm">In his old age they draw him to idolatry</a> 9. <a href="/1_kings/11-9.htm">God threatens him,</a> 14. <a href="/1_kings/11-14.htm">Solomon's adversaries were Hadad, who was entertained in Egypt</a> 23. <a href="/1_kings/11-23.htm">Rezon, who reigned in Damascus</a> 26. <a href="/1_kings/11-26.htm">And Jeroboam, to whom Ahijah prophesied</a> 41. <a href="/1_kings/11-41.htm">Solomon's acts, reign, and death. Rehoboam succeeds him</a> </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>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div>  <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div>  <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div> <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> </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>For when Solomon grew old As Solomon aged, his spiritual vigilance waned. This period of his life contrasts with his earlier years when he sought wisdom from God (<a href="/1_kings/3-9.htm">1 Kings 3:9</a>). Aging can bring challenges in maintaining spiritual fervor, as seen in other biblical figures like Eli (<a href="/1_samuel/3-2.htm">1 Samuel 3:2-3</a>).his wives turned his heart after other gods Solomon's marriages to foreign women, contrary to <a href="/deuteronomy/7-3.htm">Deuteronomy 7:3-4</a>, led him into idolatry. These alliances were often political, but they introduced pagan worship practices into Israel. This reflects the danger of unequal yoking (<a href="/2_corinthians/6-14.htm">2 Corinthians 6:14</a>) and the influence of close relationships on one's faith.and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God Solomon's divided heart contrasts with the Shema's call for total devotion (<a href="/deuteronomy/6-5.htm">Deuteronomy 6:5</a>). His failure to remain fully committed to God led to spiritual decline and set a precedent for Israel's future idolatry, eventually resulting in the kingdom's division (1 Kings 12).as his father David had been David, despite his sins, is remembered for his wholehearted devotion to God (<a href="/acts/13-22.htm">Acts 13:22</a>). His repentance and faithfulness serve as a standard for kingship in Israel. David's life foreshadows the perfect kingship of Jesus Christ, who is fully devoted to the Father (<a href="/john/8-29.htm">John 8:29</a>).<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <a href="/topical/s/solomon.htm">Solomon</a> The son of King David and Bathsheba, Solomon was the third king of Israel, known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem. 2. <a href="/topical/w/wives_of_solomon.htm">Wives of Solomon</a> Solomon had many foreign wives who influenced him to turn away from God and worship other deities, leading to his spiritual decline. 3. <a href="/topical/d/david.htm">David</a> Solomon's father, King David, is often remembered for his wholehearted devotion to God, despite his own failings. 4. <a href="/topical/o/other_gods.htm">Other gods</a> The foreign deities that Solomon's wives worshipped, which led him away from exclusive worship of Yahweh. 5. <a href="/topical/t/the_lord.htm">The LORD (Yahweh)</a> The covenant God of Israel, who desires exclusive devotion from His people.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><a href="/topical/g/guard_your_heart.htm">Guard Your Heart</a> Just as Solomon's heart was turned by his wives, we must be vigilant in guarding our hearts against influences that lead us away from God. <a href="/topical/t/the_danger_of_compromise.htm">The Danger of Compromise</a> Solomon's alliances through marriage led to spiritual compromise. We must be cautious of compromising our faith for worldly gains or relationships. <a href="/topical/t/the_importance_of_finishing_well.htm">The Importance of Finishing Well</a> Solomon started his reign with wisdom and devotion but did not finish well. Our spiritual journey requires perseverance and faithfulness to the end. <a href="/topical/l/learn_from_the_past.htm">Learn from the Past</a> Solomon had the example of his father David, yet he did not fully follow it. We should learn from the successes and failures of those who have gone before us. <a href="/topical/e/exclusive_devotion_to_god.htm">Exclusive Devotion to God</a> God desires our full devotion, as seen in the contrast between Solomon and David. We should strive to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_1_kings_11.htm">Top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 11</a> <a href="/q/1_kings_11_4_-_why_was_solomon_swayed.htm">1 Kings 11:4 – Why would a wise ruler be so easily swayed by foreign religions despite his renowned wisdom? </a> <a href="/q/why_highlight_solomon's_grandeur_here.htm">2 Chronicles 1 – Why does this passage emphasize Solomon’s grandeur when other records of his reign mention serious moral and political failures?</a> <a href="/q/bible's_view_on_polygamy.htm">What is the Bible's stance on polygamy?</a> <a href="/q/how_does_habakkuk's_view_on_idols_compare.htm">(Habakkuk 2:18–19) How does the critique of idols align with accounts elsewhere that depict different perspectives or tolerances toward idol worship?</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>(4) When Solomon was old.--It is clearly implied that the evil influence belonged to the time of senile feebleness, possibly the premature result of a life of indulgence; for he could not have been very old, if he was "but a child" at the time of his accession. But, as it is not at all likely that Solomon forsook the worship of God (see <a href="/context/1_kings/11-5.htm" title="For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.">1Kings 11:5-6</a>; <a href="/1_kings/9-25.htm" title="And three times in a year did Solomon offer burnt offerings and peace offerings on the altar which he built to the LORD, and he burnt incense on the altar that was before the LORD. So he finished the house.">1Kings 9:25</a>), it would seem that his idolatry was rather the inclination to an eclectic adoption of various forms of faith and worship, as simply various phases of reverence to the One Supreme Power, each having its own peculiar significance and beauty. Such a spirit, holding itself superior to the old laws and principles of the faith of Israel, was the natural fruit of an overweening confidence in his own wisdom--the philosophic spirit, "holding no creed, but contemplating" and condescending to "all." Whatever it may have owed to the baser female influence, so well known in the countries where woman is held a mere toy, it seems likely to have been, still more naturally, the demoralising effect of an absolutely despotic power, of a world-wide fame for wisdom, and of an over-luxurious magnificence. It may have even had a kind of harmony with the weary and hopeless conviction that "all things were vanity:" for there is something of kinship between the belief that all worships are true, and that all worships are false. It may also have been thought good policy to conciliate the subject races, by doing honour to their religions, much as the Roman Empire delighted to do, when faith in its own religion had died out. How absolutely incompatible such a spirit is with the faith in the One only God of Israel, and in itself even more monstrous than avowed devotion to false gods, is indignantly declared by Ezekiel (<a href="/context/ezekiel/14-3.htm" title="Son of man, these men have set up their idols in their heart, and put the stumbling block of their iniquity before their face: should I be inquired of at all by them?">Ezekiel 14:3-4</a>; <a href="/ezekiel/20-39.htm" title="As for you, O house of Israel, thus said the Lord GOD; Go you, serve you every one his idols, and hereafter also, if you will not listen to me: but pollute you my holy name no more with your gifts, and with your idols.">Ezekiel 20:39</a>). How utter the practical incongruity, is obvious on the slightest consideration of the contrast between the impure and bloody worship of the false gods, and the lofty spiritual worship of the God of Israel.<div class="vheading2"><a href="/commentaries/pulpit/1_kings/11.htm">Pulpit Commentary</a></div>Verse 4. - For it came to pass, when Solomon was old [As he was but sixty at the time of his death, "old" is here a relative term, and must mean "toward the close of his life," i.e., when he was about 50 or 55], that his wives turned away his heart after other gods [The text does not limit Solomon's polygamy to the time of old age, but his idolatrous leanings. I say leanings, for it is doubtful to what extent Solomon himself took part in actual idolatry. Both Bahr and Keil - the latter in opposition to the views he held in 1846 - not to speak of others, deny that he shared the idolatries of his wives, and the former labours hard, and on the whole, it seems to me, successfully, to prove that he was only guilty of sanctioning idolatrous worship in the vicinity of Jerusalem. His arguments, briefly stated, are these: (1) It is nowhere said that he "served" (עָבַד) other gods - the expression constantly used of the idolatrous kings; cf. 16:31; 22:53; <a href="/2_kings/16-3.htm">2 Kings 16:3</a>, etc. (2) Neither the son of Sirach nor the Talmud nor the Rabbins know anything of his personal idolatry. (3) Had he formally worshipped idols, his sin would have been greater than that of Jeroboam as to which, however, see on 1 Kings 12:29 sqq. (The "sin of Jeroboam" lay in "making Israel to sin," i.e., in forcing his people into schismatic and unauthorized worship, rather than in any practices of his own.) . . . <a href="/commentaries/1_kings/11-4.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a> <a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div>For when לְעֵת֙ (lə·‘êṯ) Preposition-l | Noun - common singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_6256.htm">Strong's 6256: </a> Time, now, when Solomon שְׁלֹמֹ֔ה (šə·lō·mōh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8010.htm">Strong's 8010: </a> Solomon -- David's son and successor to his throne grew וַיְהִ֗י (way·hî) Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be old, זִקְנַ֣ת (ziq·naṯ) Noun - feminine singular construct <a href="/hebrew/strongs_2209.htm">Strong's 2209: </a> Old age his wives נָשָׁיו֙ (nā·šāw) Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_802.htm">Strong's 802: </a> Woman, wife, female turned הִטּ֣וּ (hiṭ·ṭū) Verb - Hifil - Perfect - third person common plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5186.htm">Strong's 5186: </a> To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend his heart לְבָב֔וֹ (lə·ḇā·ḇōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3824.htm">Strong's 3824: </a> Inner man, mind, will, heart after אַחֲרֵ֖י (’a·ḥă·rê) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_310.htm">Strong's 310: </a> The hind or following part other אֲחֵרִ֑ים (’ă·ḥê·rîm) Adjective - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_312.htm">Strong's 312: </a> Hinder, next, other gods, אֱלֹהִ֣ים (’ĕ·lō·hîm) Noun - masculine plural <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative and he was הָיָ֨ה (hā·yāh) Verb - Qal - Perfect - third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1961.htm">Strong's 1961: </a> To fall out, come to pass, become, be not וְלֹא־ (wə·lō-) Conjunctive waw | Adverb - Negative particle <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3808.htm">Strong's 3808: </a> Not, no wholeheartedly לְבָב֤וֹ (lə·ḇā·ḇōw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3824.htm">Strong's 3824: </a> Inner man, mind, will, heart devoted שָׁלֵם֙ (šā·lêm) Adjective - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_8003.htm">Strong's 8003: </a> Complete, safe, at peace to עִם־ (‘im-) Preposition <a href="/hebrew/strongs_5973.htm">Strong's 5973: </a> With, equally with the LORD יְהוָ֣ה (Yah·weh) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_3068.htm">Strong's 3068: </a> LORD -- the proper name of the God of Israel his God, אֱלֹהָ֔יו (’ĕ·lō·hāw) Noun - masculine plural construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_430.htm">Strong's 430: </a> gods -- the supreme God, magistrates, a superlative as his father אָבִֽיו׃ (’ā·ḇîw) Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1.htm">Strong's 1: </a> Father David had been. דָּוִ֥יד (dā·wîḏ) Noun - proper - masculine singular <a href="/hebrew/strongs_1732.htm">Strong's 1732: </a> David -- perhaps 'beloved one', a son of Jesse <div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/1_kings/11-4.htm">1 Kings 11:4 NIV</a> <a href="/nlt/1_kings/11-4.htm">1 Kings 11:4 NLT</a> <a href="/esv/1_kings/11-4.htm">1 Kings 11:4 ESV</a> <a href="/nasb/1_kings/11-4.htm">1 Kings 11:4 NASB</a> <a href="/kjv/1_kings/11-4.htm">1 Kings 11:4 KJV</a> <a href="//bibleapps.com/1_kings/11-4.htm">1 Kings 11:4 BibleApps.com</a> <a href="//bibliaparalela.com/1_kings/11-4.htm">1 Kings 11:4 Biblia Paralela</a> <a href="//holybible.com.cn/1_kings/11-4.htm">1 Kings 11:4 Chinese Bible</a> <a href="//saintebible.com/1_kings/11-4.htm">1 Kings 11:4 French Bible</a> <a href="/catholic/1_kings/11-4.htm">1 Kings 11:4 Catholic Bible</a> <a href="/1_kings/11-4.htm">OT History: 1 Kings 11:4 For it happened when Solomon was old (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) </a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/1_kings/11-3.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="1 Kings 11:3"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="1 Kings 11:3" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/1_kings/11-5.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="1 Kings 11:5"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="1 Kings 11:5" /></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>