He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods. He did the sameThis phrase indicates Solomon's consistent actions across all his foreign marriages. The Hebrew root here is "עשׂה" (asah), meaning "to do" or "to make." It suggests a deliberate and repeated action, highlighting Solomon's intentional departure from God's commandments. Historically, this reflects a pattern of compromise that can be seen in the lives of many leaders who, despite their wisdom or initial faithfulness, gradually succumb to external influences. for all his foreign wives
The term "foreign wives" refers to women from nations outside of Israel, specifically those whom God had warned the Israelites not to intermarry with due to their idolatrous practices. The Hebrew word for "foreign" is "נָכְרִי" (nokri), which implies not just foreignness but also a sense of being alien or strange to the covenant community of Israel. This highlights the spiritual danger Solomon exposed himself to by forming alliances through marriage with those who did not share his faith. who burned incense
Burning incense was a common practice in ancient Near Eastern religious rituals, symbolizing prayers or offerings ascending to the gods. The Hebrew word "קָטַר" (qatar) is used here, which means "to burn" or "to offer incense." This practice was explicitly associated with idol worship, contrasting sharply with the worship of Yahweh, where incense was used in a very specific and regulated manner within the temple. and sacrificed
Sacrificing to gods was a central act of worship in ancient religions, often involving animals or other offerings. The Hebrew word "זָבַח" (zabach) means "to slaughter for sacrifice." This act of sacrifice to foreign gods was a direct violation of the first commandment, which forbids the worship of any god other than Yahweh. It underscores the gravity of Solomon's sin, as he allowed and facilitated the worship of false gods within his kingdom. to their gods
The phrase "their gods" refers to the deities worshiped by Solomon's foreign wives, such as Ashtoreth, Milcom, and Chemosh. The Hebrew word for "gods" is "אֱלֹהִים" (elohim), which can refer to the true God or false gods, depending on the context. In this case, it denotes the idols of the surrounding nations, which were in direct opposition to the God of Israel. This highlights the spiritual adultery that Solomon committed by allowing these practices, leading Israel away from exclusive devotion to Yahweh. Persons / Places / Events 1. SolomonThe king of Israel, known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem. Despite his wisdom, Solomon's heart turned away from God due to his marriages to foreign women. 2. Foreign WivesSolomon had many wives from different nations, which was against God's command for the Israelites. These marriages led him to idolatry. 3. IdolatryThe act of worshiping other gods, which was strictly forbidden by God. Solomon's wives influenced him to build high places for their gods. 4. High PlacesElevated sites where sacrifices and incense were offered to idols. Solomon built these for the gods of his foreign wives, leading Israel into sin. 5. God of IsraelThe one true God who commanded Israel to worship Him alone and not to follow the practices of other nations. Teaching Points Guard Your HeartSolomon's downfall began with his heart turning away from God. We must guard our hearts against influences that lead us away from God. Obedience to God's CommandsGod's commands are given for our protection and to keep us in a right relationship with Him. Disobedience can lead to spiritual downfall. Influence of RelationshipsThe people we surround ourselves with can greatly influence our spiritual walk. Choose relationships that encourage faithfulness to God. Consequences of IdolatryIdolatry leads to separation from God and can have lasting negative effects on our lives and those around us. Repentance and ReturnEven when we stray, God offers forgiveness and restoration if we repent and return to Him. Bible Study Questions 1. What specific actions did Solomon take that led to his spiritual downfall, and how can we avoid similar pitfalls in our lives? 2. How do the warnings in Deuteronomy 7:3-4 and Nehemiah 13:26 apply to our relationships today? 3. In what ways can we identify and remove "high places" or idols in our own lives that may be drawing us away from God? 4. How can we ensure that our hearts remain fully devoted to God amidst the various influences we encounter daily? 5. Reflect on a time when you experienced the consequences of disobedience to God. How did you find your way back to Him, and what did you learn from that experience? Connections to Other Scriptures Deuteronomy 7:3-4God commands the Israelites not to intermarry with other nations to prevent them from turning away from Him to serve other gods. Exodus 20:3-5The first and second commandments emphasize the exclusivity of worship to God and the prohibition of idolatry. Nehemiah 13:26Nehemiah references Solomon's sin as a warning against intermarriage with foreign women, which led to idolatry. People Ahijah, Ammonites, Aram, Ashtoreth, Chemosh, David, Edomites, Eliada, Eliadah, Genubath, Hadad, Hadadezer, Hittites, Israelites, Jeroboam, Joab, Joseph, Milcom, Moabites, Molech, Nebat, Pharaoh, Rehoboam, Rezon, Shishak, Sidonians, Solomon, Tahpenes, Zeruah, Zidon, ZidoniansPlaces Damascus, Edom, Egypt, Jerusalem, Midian, Millo, Moab, Paran, Syria, Zeredah, ZobahTopics Burned, Burning, Burnt, Foreign, Gods, Incense, Likewise, Offered, Offerings, Perfumes, Perfuming, Sacrificed, Sacrifices, Sacrificing, Strange, Thus, Wives, WomenDictionary of Bible Themes 1 Kings 11:8 7386 incense 1 Kings 11:1-8 5711 marriage, restrictions 1 Kings 11:1-11 5811 compromise 1 Kings 11:4-8 6103 abomination 1 Kings 11:7-8 7435 sacrifice, in OT
8769 idolatry, in OT Library The New Garment Bent
'And Jeroboam, the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon's servant, whose mother's name was Zeruah, a widow woman, even he lifted up his hand against the king. 27. And this was the cause that he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the breaches of the city of David his father. 28. And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valour: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph. 29. And …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy ScriptureThe Fall of Solomon
'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. 5. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 6. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father. 7. Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture What Happened to Solomon
In his early manhood Solomon was noted for his deep piety and his fervent love of righteousness. When he became king, he found a great work ready for his hand, and he set about the task with a glad heart. To build a temple to Jehovah was his delight, and he threw into it his whole strength. His prayer at the dedication of the temple shows a deeply reverent and submissive spirit. As the years went by he increased in riches and honor. His name became a synonym for wisdom. Many nations paid him tribute. …
Charles Wesley Naylor—Heart Talks "When Solomon was Old. "
"It came to pass when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other Gods." 1 KINGS xi. 4. Who could have predicted that this would come to pass? And yet it is often so, for it is still true that NO AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE WILL SAVE FROM BACKSLIDING THOSE WHO REFUSE TO LISTEN TO GOD. We learn from verse 10 that God had taken pains to save Solomon from idolatry, (see 1 Kings vi. 12, and xi. 6). But what good is it for even God to try to save a man who will have his own way? And …
Thomas Champness—Broken Bread Scriptural Types.
1. The material world is full of analogies adapted to the illustration of spiritual things. No teacher ever drew from this inexhaustible storehouse such a rich variety of examples as our Saviour. His disciples are the salt of the earth, the light of the world, and a city set on a hill. From the ravens which God feeds and the lilies which God clothes, he teaches the unreasonableness of worldly anxiety. The kingdom of heaven is like seed sown in different soils, like a field of wheat and tares …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible The Situation of the Jews During this Period.
As we have seen in earlier chapters, the declarations of Holy Writ make it very clear that Israel will yet be restored to God's favor and be rehabilitated in Palestine. But before that glad time arrives, the Jews have to pass through a season of sore trouble and affliction, during which God severely chastises them for their sins and punishes them for the rejection and crucifixion of their Messiah. Fearful indeed have been the past experiences of "the nation of the weary feet" but a darker path than …
Arthur W. Pink—The Redeemer's Return How to Split a Kingdom
And Rehoboam went to Shechem: for all Israel were come to Shechem to make him king. 2. And it came to pass, when Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who was yet in Egypt, heard of it (for he was fled from the presence of king Solomon, and Jeroboam dwelt in Egypt); 3. That they sent and called him. And Jeroboam and all the congregation of Israel came, and spake unto Rehoboam, saying, 4. Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture Political Religion
'Then Jeroboam built Shechera in mount Ephraim, and dwelt therein; and went out from thence, and built Penuel. 26. And Jeroboam said in his heart, Now shall the kingdom return to the house of David: 27. If this people go up to do sacrifice in the house of the Lord at Jerusalem, then shall the heart of this people turn again unto their lord, even unto Rehoboam king of Judah, and they shall kill me, and go again to Rehoboam king of Judah. 28. Whereupon the king took counsel, and made two calves of …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture "This Thing is from Me"
"Thus saith the Lord, Ye shall not go up, nor fight against your brethren the children of Israel: return every man to his house; for this thing is from me."--1 Kings 12:24. IT IS VERY DELIGHTFUL to read a history in which God is made prominent. How sadly deficient we are of such histories of our own English nation! Yet surely there is no story that is more full of God than the record of the doings of our British race. Cowper, in one of his poems, shows the parallel between us and the house of Israel, …
Charles Haddon Spurgeon—Spurgeon's Sermons Volume 42: 1896 Covenant Duties.
It is here proposed to show, that every incumbent duty ought, in suitable circumstances, to be engaged to in the exercise of Covenanting. The law and covenant of God are co-extensive; and what is enjoined in the one is confirmed in the other. The proposals of that Covenant include its promises and its duties. The former are made and fulfilled by its glorious Originator; the latter are enjoined and obligatory on man. The duties of that Covenant are God's law; and the demands of the law are all made …
John Cunningham—The Ordinance of Covenanting Formation and History of the Hebrew Canon.
1. The Greek word canon (originally a straight rod or pole, measuring-rod, then rule) denotes that collection of books which the churches receive as given by inspiration of God, and therefore as constituting for them a divine rule of faith and practice. To the books included in it the term canonical is applied. The Canon of the Old Testament, considered in reference to its constituent parts, was formed gradually; formed under divine superintendence by a process of growth extending through …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible Temporal Advantages.
"We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content."--1 Tim. vi. 7, 8. Every age has its own special sins and temptations. Impatience with their lot, murmuring, grudging, unthankfulness, discontent, are sins common to men at all times, but I suppose one of those sins which belongs to our age more than to another, is desire of a greater portion of worldly goods than God has given us,--ambition and covetousness …
John Henry Newman—Parochial and Plain Sermons, Vol. VII Redemption for Man Lost to be Sought in Christ.
1. The knowledge of God the Creator of no avail without faith in Christ the Redeemer. First reason. Second reason strengthened by the testimony of an Apostle. Conclusion. This doctrine entertained by the children of God in all ages from the beginning of the world. Error of throwing open heaven to the heathen, who know nothing of Christ. The pretexts for this refuted by passages of Scripture. 2. God never was propitious to the ancient Israelites without Christ the Mediator. First reason founded on …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion The Instrumentality of the Wicked Employed by God, While He Continues Free from Every Taint.
1. The carnal mind the source of the objections which are raised against the Providence of God. A primary objection, making a distinction between the permission and the will of God, refuted. Angels and men, good and bad, do nought but what has been decreed by God. This proved by examples. 2. All hidden movements directed to their end by the unseen but righteous instigation of God. Examples, with answers to objections. 3. These objections originate in a spirit of pride and blasphemy. Objection, that …
John Calvin—The Institutes of the Christian Religion Kings
The book[1] of Kings is strikingly unlike any modern historical narrative. Its comparative brevity, its curious perspective, and-with some brilliant exceptions--its relative monotony, are obvious to the most cursory perusal, and to understand these things is, in large measure, to understand the book. It covers a period of no less than four centuries. Beginning with the death of David and the accession of Solomon (1 Kings i., ii.) it traverses his reign with considerable fulness (1 Kings iii.-xi.), …
John Edgar McFadyen—Introduction to the Old Testament Links 1 Kings 11:8 NIV1 Kings 11:8 NLT1 Kings 11:8 ESV1 Kings 11:8 NASB1 Kings 11:8 KJV
1 Kings 11:8 Commentaries
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