1 Kings 11:7-8
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Solomon didn't just tolerate these foreign gods; he actively built places of worship for them right on a mountain visible from Jerusalem, the very city where God's presence resided. This wasn't a private, hidden sin, but a public, deliberate act that directly challenged God's covenant and showed a shocking disregard for the holy ground.
Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites, on the mountain east of Jerusalem. And so he did for all his foreign wives, who made offerings and sacrificed to their gods.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Solomon, once renowned for his wisdom and devotion, has fallen into deep spiritual compromise. Fresh off his grand temple dedication, he shockingly begins to build pagan shrines for foreign gods on the very outskirts of Jerusalem, driven by his many foreign wives. This act of blatant idolatry directly contradicts everything God had established for Israel and sets the stage for the division of his kingdom.
Solomon, the wisest king Israel ever knew, starts making choices that lead to spiritual disaster. What was the trigger?
Solomon's downfall wasn't a sudden fall, but a slow drift. It began with a concession: he married many foreign women, including Pharaoh's daughter, but also women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and the Hittites. The Bible notes that 'they had no concern for the Lord God of Israel' (1 Kings 11:1-2). This initial compromise opened the door for foreign gods and practices to enter the very heart of Israel, leading to devastating consequences.
Why would Solomon, the man who built the magnificent Temple for God, erect altars to foreign gods?
This verse reveals the shocking result of Solomon's compromises. He didn't just tolerate foreign religions; he actively built places for them! 'High places' were often outdoor shrines dedicated to pagan worship. The gods mentioned – Chemosh and Molech – were associated with deeply disturbing practices like child sacrifice. This wasn't just a personal failing; it was a public endorsement of abominations that deeply offended God and corrupted the worship meant solely for Him.
The location of these altars is specific and telling. What does 'the mountain east of Jerusalem' signify?
The Temple, the symbol of God's presence, was located on Mount Moriah in Jerusalem. By building these pagan shrines 'on the mountain east of Jerusalem,' Solomon placed them in direct proximity to the sacred center of Israel's worship. This was a public, defiant act, a spiritual contamination of the very place God had chosen to dwell. It symbolized a heart turned away from the One True God, embracing the very things God had commanded Israel to utterly destroy.
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Understand the original words
bamah · Hebrew Noun
A place of worship, usually on a hill or elevated ground. While sometimes used for Yahweh worship, they became closely associated with idolatry and pagan practices in Israel.
shiqquwts · Hebrew Noun
A detestable thing, especially an idol or an act related to idolatry. It denotes something that is morally or ritually repugnant to God.
zabach · Hebrew Verb
The act of presenting an offering or gift, often associated with slaughtering animals for the purpose of worship, atonement, or communion with a deity.
This verse highlights a stark contrast: the king who built God's glorious Temple also erected pagan shrines, demonstrating how even great leaders can compromise their devotion to God under foreign influence.
~1070 BC
Reign of David
David, Solomon's father, established Jerusalem as the capital of a united Israel and Judah. He expanded the kingdom through military victories and solidified its religious identity.
~1040 BC
Birth of Solomon
Solomon was born to David and Bathsheba in Jerusalem, destined to inherit a strong kingdom and the task of building the Temple.
~1000 BC
Building the First Temple
Solomon's greatest achievement was the construction of the magnificent Temple in Jerusalem, meant to be the central place of worship for God.
c. 931 BC
Death of Solomon
Solomon died after a long reign. His later years were marked by spiritual decline and the introduction of foreign worship.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's death, the united kingdom split into two: the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the Southern Kingdom of Judah.
During Solomon's Reign (c. 970-931 BC)— this verse
Solomon builds high places for foreign gods
As the verse states, Solomon, influenced by his many foreign wives, constructed shrines for deities like Chemosh of Moab and Molech of the Ammonites on a mountain east of Jerusalem.
This passage directly commands Israel to destroy the idols and altars of the nations they conquer, highlighting the severe prohibition against what Solomon did.
Nehemiah 13:26This verse explicitly links Solomon's sin with foreign wives to the downfall of Israel, showing the long-term consequences of his disobedience that extended to idolatry.
Psalm 106:35-39This psalm recounts Israel's history, detailing how they mingled with the nations and adopted their detestable practices, mirroring Solomon's actions and their disastrous results.
Jeremiah 32:35The prophet Jeremiah condemns the very same abominations and idolatrous practices that Solomon embraced, emphasizing that these acts were an offense to God and never intended by Him.
Solomon didn't just tolerate these foreign gods; he actively built places of worship for them right on a mountain visible from Jerusalem, the very city where God's presence resided. This wasn't a private, hidden sin, but a public, deliberate act that directly challenged God's covenant and showed a shocking disregard for the holy ground.
Solomon, once renowned for his wisdom and devotion, has fallen into deep spiritual compromise. Fresh off his grand temple dedication, he shockingly begins to build pagan shrines for foreign gods on the very outskirts of Jerusalem, driven by his many foreign wives. This act of blatant idolatry directly contradicts everything God had established for Israel and sets the stage for the division of his kingdom.
Solomon, once renowned for his wisdom and devotion, has fallen into deep spiritual compromise. Fresh off his grand temple dedication, he shockingly begins to build pagan shrines for foreign gods on the very outskirts of Jerusalem, driven by his many foreign wives. This act of blatant idolatry directly contradicts everything God had established for Israel and sets the stage for the division of his kingdom.
"Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites, on the mountain east of Jerusalem. And so he did for all his foreign wives, who made offerings and sacrificed to their go…" — Solomon didn't just tolerate these foreign gods; he actively built places of worship for them right on a mountain visible from Jerusalem, the very city where God's presence resided. This wasn't a pri…
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Last reviewed October 2026
