1 Kings 11:4-6
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It's easy to blame the wives, but the verse points to something deeper: Solomon's heart was no longer wholly true to God. This shows that faithfulness isn't a one-time decision, but an ongoing posture that can gradually drift, even for someone as wise as Solomon.
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. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and did not wholly follow the LORD, as David his father had done.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Solomon, once celebrated for his wisdom and devotion, began to take many foreign wives who served other gods. This verse highlights the tragic turning point where these relationships began to influence his heart away from his commitment to the LORD. Following this, his kingdom would eventually face division and upheaval due to his later idolatry.
Solomon, the wisest man, made a devastating mistake. His heart wasn't stolen by greed or power, but by love and companionship.
This verse pinpoints a tragic irony: Solomon's greatest strengths—his wisdom and capacity for love—became the very tools of his downfall. His many wives, a symbol of his vast political alliances and influence, ultimately led him astray. It wasn't a sudden rebellion, but a slow, almost imperceptible drift: 'his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God.' The text highlights that this wasn't a failure of intellect, but of devotion. True wisdom, it implies, includes guarding one's heart, especially in relationships, ensuring they draw us closer to God, not away.
The Bible doesn't just point out Solomon's failure; it contrasts it with a golden standard: the heart of his father, David.
The verse states Solomon's heart 'was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.' This isn't saying David was perfect—we know he sinned greatly. However, David's defining characteristic was his deep, albeit flawed, devotion. When confronted with his sin, David repented. His heart, overall, was characterized by a passionate pursuit of God, even amidst his failings. Solomon's failure is highlighted by this comparison: he lacked the unwavering, singular focus on God that marked his father's spiritual journey. It's a powerful reminder that our spiritual measure is often taken not against impossible perfection, but against the genuine, though imperfect, wholeheartedness of those who truly sought God.
Understand the original words
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šālēm · Hebrew Adjective
To be entirely devoted, sincere, or undivided in one's commitment; in a religious context, it refers to a life fully consecrated to God without wavering.
‘aštōret · Hebrew Proper Noun
A female deity worshipped by various Canaanite and surrounding nations, often associated with fertility, war, and sexual rituals.
šiqqûṣ · Hebrew Noun
Something detestable, loathsome, or morally repulsive to God, particularly used in reference to idols and the practices associated with idolatry.
milkōm · Hebrew Proper Noun
The primary national deity of the Ammonites, frequently condemned in the Bible for the child sacrifices offered to him.
ra' · Hebrew Adjective/Noun
A moral or spiritual wrong; that which is displeasing, disagreeable, or injurious in the eyes of God. It signifies a departure from God's character and standard.
Solomon's drift from God wasn't a sudden fall but a gradual compromise rooted in political maneuvering and personal relationships, ultimately sowing the seeds for the kingdom's division and future exile.
c. 1010 BC
Solomon Becomes King
Solomon inherits the united kingdom of Israel from his father, King David, beginning a reign marked by wisdom, prosperity, and initial devotion to God.
c. 1005 BC
Building the Temple
Solomon begins construction of the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem, a central act of worship and a symbol of God's presence with His people.
c. 970 BC
Foreign Marriages Begin
Solomon enters into political alliances through numerous marriages to foreign princesses, a common practice but one that introduces foreign religious influences.
c. 931 BC— this verse
Solomon's Later Years
As Solomon ages, his many foreign wives, particularly those from Moab, Ammon, Sidon, and the Hittites, lead him to worship their gods, including Ashtoreth and Chemosh.
c. 931 BC
Kingdom Divided
Following Solomon's death, the united kingdom splits into two: the northern Kingdom of Israel (ten tribes) and the southern Kingdom of Judah (two tribes).
This passage warns against intermarriage with foreign nations, highlighting the danger of foreign wives turning the heart away from God, which is exactly what happened to Solomon.
Ecclesiastes 7:26-28Solomon himself, likely reflecting on his life, describes the elusive nature of wisdom and the destructive power of one wicked man, perhaps alluding to his own downfall through his many wives.
Nehemiah 13:26Nehemiah recalls Solomon's sin in a prayer, showing how this king, known for his wisdom and initial devotion, became an example of how even the greatest can fall by turning away from God for foreign alliances and affections.
1 Samuel 15:22-23This passage emphasizes that obedience to God is far more important than sacrifice, echoing the core issue with Solomon: his heart was no longer wholly true to the Lord, leading to disobedience despite his great blessings.
It's easy to blame the wives, but the verse points to something deeper: Solomon's heart was no longer wholly true to God. This shows that faithfulness isn't a one-time decision, but an ongoing posture that can gradually drift, even for someone as wise as Solomon.
Solomon, once celebrated for his wisdom and devotion, began to take many foreign wives who served other gods. This verse highlights the tragic turning point where these relationships began to influence his heart away from his commitment to the LORD. Following this, his kingdom would eventually face division and upheaval due to his later idolatry.
Solomon, once celebrated for his wisdom and devotion, began to take many foreign wives who served other gods. This verse highlights the tragic turning point where these relationships began to influence his heart away from his commitment to the LORD. Following this, his kingdom would eventually face division and upheaval due to his later idolatry.
"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. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and afte…" — It's easy to blame the wives, but the verse points to something deeper: Solomon's heart was no longer wholly true to God. This shows that faithfulness isn't a one-time decision, but an ongoing post…
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Last reviewed October 2026
