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's failure wasn't a complete rejection of God, but a heartbreaking partial following, meaning he didn't wholly commit his heart. This verse challenges us to consider if our own "good deeds" or "general faithfulness" might be masking a similar, subtle divided loyalty in our lives.
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, after a glorious start and a deep connection with God, begins to compromise his faith through his many foreign wives. This passage marks a turning point where his heart drifts away from the Lord, leading to idolatry and the sowing of seeds for the kingdom's future division. The text directly contrasts his actions with the faithful example of his father, David.
We often admire Solomon for his wisdom and the magnificent temple he built. But this verse reveals a devastating spiritual decline. What does it mean to not 'wholly follow' God?
Solomon's story is a stark warning against spiritual compromise.
A Drift Away
Even a man blessed with extraordinary wisdom and a deep connection with God could drift. His 'evil' wasn't a sudden, dramatic fall into one specific sin, but a gradual turning away from wholehearted devotion. The verse highlights that he 'did not wholly follow the LORD.' This implies a divided heart, a compromise where God was still acknowledged, but not exclusively or completely followed.
The Root of the Problem
While this verse doesn't detail why he strayed, the preceding verses in 1 Kings 11 explain that Solomon's foreign wives led him astray to worship their gods. This wasn't just about marital choices; it was about letting relationships and foreign influences dilute his commitment to the one true God. His actions became evil 'in the sight of the LORD,' meaning his disobedience was a direct offense against God's covenant and commands.
The Contrast with David
The text contrasts him with his father, David, who 'wholly followed the LORD.' David wasn't perfect—he stumbled significantly—but his heart's ultimate orientation was toward God. Solomon, however, fell short of this standard of undivided allegiance.
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Solomon's personal choices had ripple effects far beyond his own life. What were the consequences of his spiritual drift?
The Bible doesn't shy away from the serious repercussions of disobedience, especially for leaders.
A Divided Kingdom
Solomon’s turning away from the LORD directly led to the fracturing of the united kingdom of Israel. Because he and his household did not keep God's covenant and commands, God declared that the kingdom would be torn away from his son, Rehoboam, and given to a servant. This division would persist for generations.
Divine Judgment and Grief
God expressed anger and sorrow over Solomon's actions. The Lord appeared to Solomon twice, warning him about turning away from Him (1 Kings 11:9-10). This wasn't a light matter; it was a betrayal of the covenant relationship and a rejection of the blessings God had bestowed upon him and Israel. The consequences were not immediate destruction but a dismantling of the very legacy Solomon had built.
A Warning for All Generations
Solomon's story serves as a powerful testament that even great blessings and wisdom are no guarantee against spiritual decline. True faithfulness requires ongoing vigilance, a commitment to 'wholly follow' God, and a recognition that our choices impact not only ourselves but also those who come after us.
Understand the original words
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 downfall wasn't a sudden event, but a gradual compromise beginning with his foreign marriages, which led him to abandon the LORD his God, starkly contrasting with his father David's legacy.
c. 1010 BC
David Reigns as King
David establishes Jerusalem as the capital and consolidates Israelite power, setting a precedent for a strong, centralized monarchy.
c. 970 BC
Solomon Becomes King
Solomon inherits a prosperous kingdom from David, known for his wisdom and initial devotion to God.
c. 960s-950s BC— this verse
Solomon's Foreign Marriages Begin
Solomon marries many foreign wives, including Pharaoh's daughter, breaking with Israelite custom and laying the groundwork for idolatry.
c. 950s BC
Introduction of Foreign Gods
Solomon allows his foreign wives to build and worship their own gods in Jerusalem, directly violating God's commands.
c. 931 BC
Kingdom Divided
Following Solomon's death, the united kingdom splits into two: Israel in the north and Judah in the south, partly due to the consequences of Solomon's actions.
This passage outlines God's specific warnings against kings accumulating horses, wives, and wealth, which are exactly the areas where Solomon ultimately stumbled.
1 Kings 3:3This verse highlights Solomon's initial devotion and love for the Lord, setting up a stark contrast with his later actions and emphasizing the tragic nature of his fall.
Judges 2:11-13This passage describes the Israelites doing evil in the Lord's sight and following other gods, mirroring Solomon's departure from God and illustrating a recurring pattern of unfaithfulness in Israel's history.
Psalm 78:58This Psalm directly laments how the people, and by implication their leaders, provoked God to anger by worshipping idols, echoing the core failure described in Solomon's story.
Solomon's failure wasn't a complete rejection of God, but a heartbreaking partial following, meaning he didn't wholly commit his heart. This verse challenges us to consider if our own "good deeds" or "general faithfulness" might be masking a similar, subtle divided loyalty in our lives.
Solomon, after a glorious start and a deep connection with God, begins to compromise his faith through his many foreign wives. This passage marks a turning point where his heart drifts away from the Lord, leading to idolatry and the sowing of seeds for the kingdom's future division. The text directly contrasts his actions with the faithful example of his father, David.
Solomon, after a glorious start and a deep connection with God, begins to compromise his faith through his many foreign wives. This passage marks a turning point where his heart drifts away from the Lord, leading to idolatry and the sowing of seeds for the kingdom's future division. The text directly contrasts his actions with the faithful example of his father, David.
"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." — Solomon's failure wasn't a complete rejection of God, but a heartbreaking partial following, meaning he didn't wholly commit his heart. This verse challenges us to consider if our own "good deeds…
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Last reviewed October 2026