Why did Solomon do evil in the sight of the LORD according to 1 Kings 11:6? Canonical Text 1 Kings 11:6 : “So Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD; he did not follow the LORD completely as his father David had done.” Immediate Context Verses 1–8 trace a three-part decline: (1) Solomon “loved many foreign women” (v. 1); (2) “his wives turned his heart after other gods” (v. 4); (3) he built high places for Chemosh, Molech, and the gods of his foreign consorts (vv. 5–8). The phrase “did not follow … completely” (v. 6) signals a breach of covenant loyalty (cf. Deuteronomy 6:5; 18:13). Covenant Stipulations Violated 1. Foreign Marriages – Deuteronomy 7:3–4 forbids covenantal marriage with pagans “for they will turn your sons away from following Me.” 2. Multiplying Wives, Horses, and Gold – Deuteronomy 17:16–17 instructs Israel’s king not to multiply these lest “his heart turn away.” Solomon’s 700 wives, 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3), importation of horses from Egypt (10:28), and 666 talents of gold (10:14) mark triple disobedience. 3. Idolatry – Exodus 20:3–5 bans other gods and graven images. Building shrines east of Jerusalem (1 Kings 11:7; archaeology locates cultic remains on the Mount of Olives strata tenth century BC) was overt apostasy. Psychology of Decline Scripture traces sin from affection to action. “Solomon loved” (’āhab) foreign women (v. 1) > “his heart was not fully devoted” (v. 4) > “he built high places” (v. 7). Behavioral science recognizes habituation: repeated compromise reshapes neural and spiritual pathways, dulling conscience (cf. Hebrews 3:13). Solomon’s incremental drift mirrors James 1:14–15—desire conceived births sin; sin grown births death. Contrast with David David sinned grievously yet retained covenant loyalty (“a man after My heart,” 1 Samuel 13:14). David repented (Psalm 51); Solomon’s record supplies no public repentance before death. The chronicler omits Solomon’s late‐life apostasy (2 Chron 9) to focus on temple theology, but Kings highlights it to explain the divided kingdom (1 Kings 11:11–13). Prophetic Warnings Ignored Yahweh appeared to Solomon twice (1 Kings 11:9–10). Theophanic encounter heightens culpability; greater revelation carries greater responsibility (Luke 12:48). Ahijah’s symbolic tearing of the cloak (1 Kings 11:29–39) fulfilled Deuteronomy 29:25–28; 30:17–18, demonstrating predictive and covenantal coherence of Scripture. Political Entanglements Marriage alliances with Egypt (Pharaoh’s daughter, 1 Kings 3:1) and neighboring kingdoms (Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, Hittites) secured trade routes evidenced by tenth-century gate complexes at Hazor, Megiddo, Gezer—structures matching 1 Kings 9:15. Archaeology corroborates the geopolitical context and Solomon’s reach but also his dependence on human stratagem over divine trust. Theological Implications 1. Total Devotion Required – Partial obedience equals covenant infidelity. 2. Leadership Accountability – Leaders’ sin reverberates nationally; the northern tribes secede under Jeroboam, fulfilling 1 Kings 11:31. 3. Grace and Judgment – For David’s sake God delays full judgment until after Solomon’s reign (11:12), showcasing steadfast love (ḥesed) amidst righteous anger. Christological Foreshadowing Where Solomon, son of David, fails, Jesus, greater Son of David, triumphs—tempted yet without sin (Hebrews 4:15). Jesus embodies perfect wisdom (1 Corinthians 1:24) and covenant fidelity, fulfilling 2 Samuel 7:12–16 permanently (Luke 1:32–33). Practical Applications • Guard affections; what captures the heart steers life. • Obey Scripture fully; selective obedience breeds idolatry. • Spiritual legacy matters; private compromise spawns public fallout. • Repent early; hardness increases with delayed confession. Conclusion Solomon “did evil” because he abandoned exclusive covenant love, multiplying forbidden marriages, wealth, and idolatry; ignored explicit divine revelations; and trusted political pragmatism over Yahweh’s word. His life stands as canonical testimony that wisdom without wholehearted obedience degenerates into folly, underscoring the enduring divine call: “Love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength” (Deuteronomy 6:5). |
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