Topical Bible: Idolatry: Adopted by Solomon

◄ Idolatry: Adopted by Solomon ►

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Idolatry, the worship of idols or false gods, is a recurring theme in the biblical narrative, often leading to the spiritual and moral decline of individuals and nations. One of the most notable instances of idolatry in the Old Testament is its adoption by King Solomon, a pivotal figure in Israel's history.

Solomon's Early Reign and Wisdom

Solomon, the son of King David and Bathsheba, ascended to the throne of Israel and was renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and extensive building projects, including the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. Early in his reign, Solomon's devotion to the LORD was evident. In 1 Kings 3:3 , it is recorded, "Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of his father David, except that he sacrificed and burned incense on the high places."

The Influence of Foreign Wives

Despite his initial devotion, Solomon's heart gradually turned away from the LORD due to his marriages to foreign women. These alliances were often politically motivated, but they had profound spiritual consequences. In 1 Kings 11:1-2 , it is written, "King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, 'You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.' Yet Solomon clung to these women in love."

The Turn to Idolatry

Solomon's marriages led him to accommodate the religious practices of his wives, which included the worship of foreign deities. This accommodation marked a significant departure from the exclusive worship of Yahweh, the God of Israel. 1 Kings 11:4-6 states, "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. Solomon followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. So Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD; unlike his father David, he did not follow the LORD completely."

Consequences of Solomon's Idolatry

The adoption of idolatry by Solomon had severe repercussions for the kingdom of Israel. The LORD's anger was kindled against Solomon, and He declared that the kingdom would be torn from Solomon's lineage, though not during his lifetime, for the sake of David, his father. 1 Kings 11:11-13 records the LORD's pronouncement: "Then the LORD said to Solomon, 'Since you have done this and have not kept My covenant and statutes, which I commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. Nevertheless, for the sake of your father David, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son. Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom away from him; I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.'"

Legacy and Lessons

Solomon's turn to idolatry serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of compromising one's faith and the influence of external pressures. Despite his wisdom and achievements, Solomon's failure to remain faithful to the LORD led to the division of the kingdom after his death, setting the stage for further idolatry and eventual exile. The narrative underscores the importance of wholehearted devotion to God and the perils of allowing worldly influences to lead one's heart astray.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

1 Kings 11:5-8
For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Solomon's Reign.
... democratic ideals of the nation and adopted the policy ... Ephraimite, who was an officer
of Solomon at Jerusalem ... him that, on account of the idolatry fostered by ...
/.../tidwell/the bible period by period/chapter xii solomons reign.htm

Solomon's Temple Spiritualized
... was to fell those trees, and to dig those stones, with which Solomon built the ... towards
the east, to keep the people of God from committing of idolatry; to wit ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/solomons temple spiritualized.htm

The Poetical Books (Including Also Ecclesiastes and Canticles).
... The germ of this representation exists in the Pentateuch, where idolatry is regarded ...
a dialectic peculiarity of the living Hebrew adopted by Solomon for the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxi the poetical books.htm

CHAPTER III.
... By what means is idolatry to be extirpated from among ... The latter explanation (adopted
by Simson and Hitzig) is ... that had, in the Song of Solomon, been predicted ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/chapter iii.htm

Introduction.
... (e) The decrees were adopted by an ... to give to the sacred images, which they knew
would be idolatry. ... and worshipped the Lord and the King" [ie Solomon]; Luke 14 ...
//christianbookshelf.org/schaff/the seven ecumenical councils/introduction.htm

Letter Lxx. To Magnus an Orator of Rome.
... from Gentile books and that Solomon proposed questions ... Half of which line was afterwards
adopted by Callimachus ... is dead whether this be idolatry, pleasure, error ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/letter lxx to magnus an.htm

Introduction.
... by attention thereto, confirmed his abhorrence of idolatry and his ... this peculiarity
may well be adopted as their ... class is the Psalter of Solomon, a collection ...
//christianbookshelf.org/deane/pseudepigrapha/introduction.htm

The First Per??an Discourses - to the Pharisees Concerning the Two ...
... and for which the wisdom of Solomon had been ... Israel without the foulness of gross
idolatry and garnished ... different readings which have been adopted into the ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi the first peraean.htm

1 Cor. 15:3-4. Foundation Truths.
... them that He had been rich as Solomon, victorious as ... It was Christianity that starved
idolatry, and emptied the ... Paul adopted this course only because he was ...
/.../the upper room being a few truths for the times/chapter iv 1 cor 15 3-4.htm

Comparison Between the False Church and the True.
... For although they had adopted many perverse ceremonies under ... They have a grosser
idolatry, and in doctrine are not ... to meet in the temple of Solomon, and they ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 2 comparison between the.htm