1 Kings 11:4 - Printer Friendly

ESV: For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.

NIV: As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been.

NASB: 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.

CSB: 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.

NLT: In Solomon’s old age, they turned his heart to worship other gods instead of being completely faithful to the Lord his God, as his father, David, had been.

KJV: 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.

NKJV: For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David.

Modern people often carry the assumption that people get better, more spiritual, more faithful to the Lord, and wiser as they get older. That happens sometimes, but it's not necessarily the norm. Seasoned believers can grow complacent and careless. They follow pride and their sense of entitlement into sin.

God had warned the future kings of Israel not to marry too many women (Deuteronomy 17:17). He also told all Israelites not to intermarry with idol worshipers (Exodus 34:16). Such constant influences would cause their hearts to "turn away." That's the case with Solomon. He's married seven hundred princesses and accumulated three hundred concubines (1 Kings 11:3). They have turned his "heart"—his desires, affections, thoughts, will, and actions—away from Yahweh (Exodus 3:15) and toward lesser idols.

In this culture, royals routinely trade gifts, give their daughters as wives, and adopt—and adapt—each other's gods. Israel is supposed to be different. They don't worship a hand-me-down minor deity in charge of rain. When Jonah admits he worships "The Lord, the God of heaven, who made the sea and the dry land" (Jonah 1:9), the sailors become "exceedingly afraid" (Jonah 1:10). They understand his God's primacy over theirs. After years in luxury, surrounded by adoring visitors and willing women, his every desire met, Solomon intentionally adds to his worship, as if he is too much for just the God of the universe.

The Bible never claims that David was perfect. His flaws as a husband, father, king, and military commander are described in detail. Even so, he is praised as "a man after God's own heart." The text never shows him worshiping anything other than Yahweh. When he sinned, he passionately and sincerely repented. God loves David because of his faithful worship and his repentance. There's no clear indication that Solomon ever repents, although the book of Ecclesiastes may be his letter of apology (Ecclesiastes 1:1).

First Kings 11:1–8 describes the tragic theme of the end of Solomon's reign over Israel. Early in his rule, Solomon carefully followed God. He built the temple as a place where God could set His presence among His people. In return, God heaped riches and honor upon him (1 Kings 10). As he ages, Solomon is more influenced by the pagans among his seven hundred wives. They gradually pull him into worship of their false deities (Deuteronomy 17:17).God disciplines Solomon by sending enemies, including one who will split the kingdom (1 Kings 11:9–40). Israel has not held Solomon's borders since.

King Solomon (1 Kings 1—2) forfeits his legacy. He allows foreign wives to draw him towards false gods. He worships them and builds their altars. Angry, God sends two men to harass him. God also warns that He'll raise up Jeroboam, one of Solomon's servants, to take the northern tribes from Solomon's son. Jeroboam flees to Egypt, but when Solomon dies, Jeroboam returns and splits the nation (1 Kings 12:16–24).

In 1 Kings 11, God continues his faithfulness toward Solomon by punishing him. God had promised David He would discipline David's son if he committed iniquity (2 Samuel 7:14). David warned Solomon (1 Kings 2:1–4). In his later years, Solomon worships his wives' gods, betraying Yahweh (Exodus 3:15) and his father. God warns Solomon that when he dies, his servant will tear the kingdom from his son. Shortly after Rehoboam takes the crown, Jeroboam takes ten tribes. Then Jeroboam follows Solomon's example, leading the people into a practice of idolatry from which the northern kingdom of Israel will never recover (1 Kings 12).

This was originally the first half of a combined text. First Kings records the end of David's reign and the rule of Solomon. After this, the kingdom is split in two. The northern nation of Israel no longer submits to the king of the southern nation, called Judah. The prophet Elijah first appears in this book. The kings mostly fail to honor the Lord. They participate in idolatry and other sins. This will eventually result in their conquest and exile, as depicted throughout the books of Chronicles.