◄ 1 Kings 9:6 ►
But if indeed you or your sons turn away from following Me and do not keep the commandments and statutes I have set before you, and if you go off to serve and worship other gods,
Study Bible
But if indeed you or your sons turn away from following Me

God warned Solomon that the Davidic house remained accountable to walk before Him. The promised dynasty did not excuse rebellion; persistent unfaithfulness would bring covenant discipline. Solomon’s later idolatry and the failures of his descendants led to the division of the kingdom and ultimately to judgment upon Israel and Judah.

Deu 11:16-17 But be careful that you are not enticed to turn aside…
Jos 23:12-13 For if you turn away and cling to the rest of these nations…
2Ch 7:19 But if you turn away and forsake the statutes…

and do not keep the commandments and statutes I have set before you,

The Law given through Moses revealed God’s holy will for His covenant people. Israel’s security in the land and the blessing of David’s throne were bound to faithful obedience, not merely to the presence of the temple or the lineage of its king. Rejecting God’s commands would expose a heart that had turned from Him.

Deu 5:32-33 So be careful to do as the LORD your God has commanded you;…
Deu 28:15 If, however, you do not obey the LORD your God…
Jos 23:6 Be very strong, then, so that you can keep and obey…

and if you go off to serve and worship other gods,

Idolatry was open betrayal of the Lord who had redeemed Israel and chosen Jerusalem for His name. Surrounded by Canaanite worship practices, Israel repeatedly faced pressure to mix devotion to the Lord with service to false gods. Solomon himself would later be drawn into such worship through his foreign wives, setting in motion the spiritual decline foreseen here. Christ alone fulfilled perfect obedience and calls His people to undivided worship of the true God.

Exo 20:3-5 You shall have no other gods before Me.…
Deu 6:13-14 Fear the LORD your God, serve Him only, and take your oaths…
Deu 8:19-20 If you ever forget the LORD your God and go after…

Persons / Places / Events
1. Solomon
The king of Israel to whom God is speaking. Solomon is known for his wisdom and for building the temple in Jerusalem.

2. God (Yahweh)
The one true God who is giving a conditional promise to Solomon regarding the future of Israel.

3. Israel
The nation chosen by God, which is under Solomon's rule at this time. The future of the nation is contingent upon their obedience to God.

4. Jerusalem
The city where Solomon built the temple, representing the spiritual center of Israel.

5. Other gods
Refers to the idols and deities of surrounding nations, which God warns against worshiping.
Teaching Points
The Importance of Obedience
God’s promises are often conditional upon our obedience. Just as Solomon and Israel were warned, we too must adhere to God’s commandments.

The Danger of Idolatry
Idolatry is not just the worship of physical idols but can include anything that takes precedence over God in our lives. We must guard against modern forms of idolatry.

Generational Faithfulness
The warning extends to Solomon’s sons, highlighting the importance of passing down faith and obedience to future generations.

Consequences of Disobedience
Turning away from God has serious consequences, both spiritually and materially. This serves as a sobering reminder of the cost of disobedience.

God’s Faithfulness and Justice
God is faithful to His promises, both in blessing and in judgment. We can trust His character and His word.
Bible Study Questions
1. What are some modern-day "other gods" that can distract us from following God wholeheartedly?

2. How can we ensure that we are passing down a legacy of faith and obedience to the next generation?

3. In what ways can we actively guard against idolatry in our personal lives?

4. How does understanding the consequences of disobedience motivate us to live according to God’s commandments?

5. How can we rely on God’s faithfulness and justice in times when we are tempted to turn away from Him?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Deuteronomy 28
This chapter outlines the blessings for obedience and curses for disobedience, similar to the conditional promise given to Solomon.

Joshua 23
Joshua warns Israel about the dangers of turning away from God and serving other gods, echoing the warning given to Solomon.

2 Chronicles 7:19-22
A parallel passage where God reiterates the consequences of turning away from Him.

Exodus 20:3-5
The Ten Commandments, where God commands Israel not to have other gods or idols, foundational to the warning in 1 Kings 9:6.
Sermons
The Reviewed CovenantJ. Waite 1 Kings 9:1-9
Essential Points in PrayerSpurgeon, Charles Haddon1 Kings 9:2-9
Prayer PenetratesSignal.1 Kings 9:2-9
A Note of Warning1 Kings 9:6-9
People
Amorites, Canaanites, David, Geber, Gibeon, Hiram, Hittites, Hivite, Hivites, Israelites, Jebusites, Ophir, Perizzites, Pharaoh, Solomon, Tamar
Places
Baalath, Beth-horon, Brook of Egypt, Cabul, Edom, Egypt, Eloth, Ezion-geber, Galilee, Gezer, Gibeon, Hazor, Jerusalem, Lebanon, Megiddo, Millo, Ophir, Red Sea, Tamar, Tyre
Topics
Aside, Bowed, Commandments, Commands, Decrees, Gods, Indeed, Laws, Observe, Orders, Servants, Serve, Served, Sons, Statutes, Turn, Worship, Yourselves
Dictionary of Bible Themes
1 Kings 9:4-9

     1351   covenant, with David
     8404   commands, in OT

1 Kings 9:6-7

     6232   rejection of God, results
     8833   threats

1 Kings 9:6-9

     5243   byword
     7382   house of God
     8816   ridicule, nature of
     8819   scoffing

Library
Promises and Threatenings
'And it came to pass, when Solomon had finished the building of the house of the Lord, and the king's house, and all Solomon's desire which he was pleased to do. 2. That the Lord appeared to Solomon the second time, as He had appeared unto him at Gibeon. 3. And the Lord said unto him, I have heard thy prayer and thy supplication, that thou hast made before Me: I have hallowed this house, which thou hast built, to put My name there for ever; and Mine eyes and Mine heart shall be there perpetually, …
Alexander Maclaren—Expositions of Holy Scripture

Gadara
There was a double Gadara. One at the shore of the Mediterranean sea: that was first called Gezer, 1 Kings 9:15. In Josephus, "Simon destroyed the city Gazara, and Joppe, and Jamnia."--And in the Book of the Maccabees, "And he fortified Joppe, which is on the sea, and Gazara, which is on the borders of Azotus." At length, according to the idiom of the Syrian dialect, Zain passed into Daleth; and instead of Gazara, it was called Gadara. Hence Strabo, after the mention of Jamnia, saith, "and there …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

Whether Solicitude Belongs to Prudence?
Objection 1: It would seem that solicitude does not belong to prudence. For solicitude implies disquiet, wherefore Isidore says (Etym. x) that "a solicitous man is a restless man." Now motion belongs chiefly to the appetitive power: wherefore solicitude does also. But prudence is not in the appetitive power, but in the reason, as stated above [2746](A[1]). Therefore solicitude does not belong to prudence. Objection 2: Further, the certainty of truth seems opposed to solicitude, wherefore it is related …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether Prophecy Pertains to Knowledge?
Objection 1: It would seem that prophecy does not pertain to knowledge. For it is written (Ecclus. 48:14) that after death the body of Eliseus prophesied, and further on (Ecclus. 49:18) it is said of Joseph that "his bones were visited, and after death they prophesied." Now no knowledge remains in the body or in the bones after death. Therefore prophecy does not pertain to knowledge. Objection 2: Further, it is written (1 Cor. 14:3): "He that prophesieth, speaketh to men unto edification." Now speech …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

Whether it is Lawful to Give and Receive Money for Spiritual Actions?
Objection 1: It seems that it is lawful to give and receive money for spiritual actions. The use of prophecy is a spiritual action. But something used to be given of old for the use of prophecy, as appears from 1 Kings 9:7,8, and 3 Kings 14:3. Therefore it would seem that it is lawful to give and receive money for a spiritual action. Objection 2: Further, prayer, preaching, divine praise, are most spiritual actions. Now money is given to holy persons in order to obtain the assistance of their prayers, …
Saint Thomas Aquinas—Summa Theologica

The Seven Seas According to the Talmudists, and the Four Rivers Compassing the Land.
"Seven seas (say they) and four rivers compass the land of Israel. I. The Great Sea, or the Mediterranean. II. The sea of Tiberias. III. The sea of Sodom. IV. The lake of Samocho... The three first named among the seven are sufficiently known, and there is no doubt of the fourth:--only the three names of it are not to be passed by. IV. 1. The Sibbichaean. The word seems to be derived from a bush. 2. ... 3. ... V. Perhaps the sandy sea. Which fits very well to the lake of Sirbon, joining the commentary …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

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

The Greater Prophets.
1. We have already seen (Chap. 15, Nos. 11 and 12) that from Moses to Samuel the appearances of prophets were infrequent; that with Samuel and the prophetical school established by him there began a new era, in which the prophets were recognized as a distinct order of men in the Theocracy; and that the age of written prophecy did not begin till about the reign of Uzziah, some three centuries after Samuel. The Jewish division of the latter prophets--prophets in the more restricted sense of the …
E. P. Barrows—Companion to the Bible

Beginning at Jerusalem
The whole verse runs thus: "And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem." The words were spoken by Christ, after he rose from the dead, and they are here rehearsed after an historical manner, but do contain in them a formal commission, with a special clause therein. The commission is, as you see, for the preaching of the gospel, and is very distinctly inserted in the holy record by Matthew and Mark. "Go teach all nations," …
John Bunyan—Jerusalem Sinner Saved

The Coast of the Asphaltites, the Essenes. En-Gedi.
"On the western shore" (of the Asphaltites) "dwell the Essenes; whom persons, guilty of any crimes, fly from on every side. A nation it is that lives alone, and of all other nations in the whole world, most to be admired; they are without any woman; all lust banished, &c. Below these, was the town Engadda, the next to Jerusalem for fruitfulness, and groves of palm-trees, now another burying-place. From thence stands Massada, a castle in a rock, and this castle not far from the Asphaltites." Solinus, …
John Lightfoot—From the Talmud and Hebraica

In Galilee at the Time of Our Lord
"If any one wishes to be rich, let him go north; if he wants to be wise, let him come south." Such was the saying, by which Rabbinical pride distinguished between the material wealth of Galilee and the supremacy in traditional lore claimed for the academies of Judaea proper. Alas, it was not long before Judaea lost even this doubtful distinction, and its colleges wandered northwards, ending at last by the Lake of Gennesaret, and in that very city of Tiberias which at one time had been reputed unclean! …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

The Jerusalem Sinner Saved;
OR, GOOD NEWS FOR THE VILEST OF MEN; BEING A HELP FOR DESPAIRING SOULS, SHOWING THAT JESUS CHRIST WOULD HAVE MERCY IN THE FIRST PLACE OFFERED TO THE BIGGEST SINNERS. THE THIRD EDITION, IN WHICH IS ADDED, AN ANSWER TO THOSE GRAND OBJECTIONS THAT LIE IN THE WAY OF THE THEM THAT WOULD BELIEVE: FOR THE COMFORT OF THEM THAT FEAR THEY HAVE SINNED AGAINST THE HOLY GHOST. BY JOHN BUNYAN, OF BEDFORD. London: Printed for Elizabeth Smith, at the Hand and Bible, on London Bridge, 1691. ADVERTISEMENT BY THE EDITOR. …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

Commerce
The remarkable change which we have noticed in the views of Jewish authorities, from contempt to almost affectation of manual labour, could certainly not have been arbitrary. But as we fail to discover here any religious motive, we can only account for it on the score of altered political and social circumstances. So long as the people were, at least nominally, independent, and in possession of their own land, constant engagement in a trade would probably mark an inferior social stage, and imply …
Alfred Edersheim—Sketches of Jewish Social Life

A Holy Life the Beauty of Christianity: Or, an Exhortation to Christians to be Holy. By John Bunyan.
Holiness becometh thine house, O Lord, for ever.'--[Psalm 93:5] London, by B. W., for Benj. Alsop, at the Angel and Bible, in the Poultrey. 1684. THE EDITOR'S ADVERTISEMENT. This is the most searching treatise that has ever fallen under our notice. It is an invaluable guide to those sincere Christians, who, under a sense of the infinite importance of the salvation of an immortal soul, and of the deceitfulness of their hearts, sigh and cry, "O Lord of hosts, that judgest righteously, that triest …
John Bunyan—The Works of John Bunyan Volumes 1-3

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

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