Nehemiah 13:26
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Nehemiah highlights that even the wisest, most beloved king, Solomon, wasn't immune to sin when entangled with foreign women. This shows that exceptional favor and wisdom from God are no guarantee against temptation and failure if one chooses to engage with things that lead away from Him. It's a stark reminder that closeness to God doesn't grant immunity from falling, but rather underscores the constant need for vigilance.
Did not Solomon king of Israel sin on account of such women? Among the many nations there was no king like him, and he was beloved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless, foreign women made even him to sin.
English Standard Version (ESV)
Nehemiah is addressing the people of Judah about the serious sin of intermarrying with foreigners, which had led to a departure from God's ways. He recalls how Solomon, the wisest and most beloved king Israel had ever known, fell into sin and idolatry because of his foreign wives. This powerful example serves as a stark warning that even someone as gifted and favored as Solomon couldn't resist the corrupting influence of such unions.
Nehemiah uses a powerful, painful example to confront the people. It's a story of national glory and personal downfall, all tied to whom one chooses to marry.
Nehemiah points to Solomon, Israel's greatest king, as a stark warning. Solomon was known for his unparalleled wisdom, beloved by God, and uniquely blessed with a kingdom spanning all Israel. Yet, the verse dramatically states, 'nevertheless, foreign women made even him to sin.' This wasn't just a minor slip; his marriages to women from nations God had forbidden led him into idolatry, impacting the entire nation. Nehemiah is saying, 'If the wisest and most favored among us could fall so dramatically because of these kinds of relationships, how much more vulnerable are you?' It's a direct challenge to the people who were marrying outside of their faith community, ignoring God's clear commands for the sake of personal preference.
Solomon was 'beloved by his God,' yet he sinned. This powerful reminder cuts through any idea that God's favor makes us immune to the consequences of our choices.
The verse emphasizes that Solomon was 'beloved by his God.' This isn't a small detail; it speaks to a deep, special relationship. God loved Solomon and made him king over all Israel, showering him with blessings and wisdom. However, this profound love and favor did not grant him a pass on obedience. His sin with foreign wives had severe repercussions, ultimately leading to the division of the kingdom. This teaches us a vital truth: God's love for us is steadfast, but it does not negate the reality of sin's consequences or our responsibility to obey His commands. Being loved by God is a gift and a privilege, not a license to disregard His will.
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Solomon's personal sin didn't just affect him; it had devastating, long-lasting consequences. This verse is a stark reminder of how our choices impact those who follow.
Nehemiah isn't just recalling a historical anecdote; he's pointing to a tangible, terrible outcome. Solomon's decision to marry foreign women and embrace their gods led directly to the fracturing of Israel. The very kingdom God had established and expanded through him would be torn apart after his death, with ten tribes lost to his son. The commentators note that Nehemiah uses this familiar story to evoke a deep sense of dread and warning in his audience. It underscores that our personal choices, especially those that compromise our devotion to God, have consequences that extend far beyond ourselves, affecting our families, our communities, and even future generations.
Understand the original words
chata' · Hebrew Verb
A transgression against God's law, characterized by missing the mark of His holy standard, whether by act or nature. It represents a fundamental alienation from God that requires atonement.
nokriyyah · Hebrew Adjective
One belonging to a different nation, particularly those outside the covenant community of Israel. In the Old Testament, these groups were often viewed as sources of idolatrous influence and spiritual compromise.
'ahab · Hebrew Adjective/Participle
A state of high favor or affection; in biblical terms, it often refers to God's covenantal choice and love for a person, placing them in a special relationship of blessing and responsibility.
Nehemiah uses the example of Solomon to warn the people against intermarriage with foreign women. Solomon, despite his immense wisdom and God's favor, fell into idolatry because of his foreign wives, highlighting the severe spiritual danger of such unions for the covenant people.
c. 970-931 BC
Solomon's Reign and Temple Construction
Solomon, renowned for his wisdom and favored by God, builds the First Temple in Jerusalem and rules over a unified Israel. He marries numerous foreign wives, a common practice for political alliances, but one that leads to spiritual compromise.
c. 931 BC
Division of the Kingdom
Following Solomon's death, his son Rehoboam's harsh policies lead to the division of the kingdom into Israel (north) and Judah (south). This division is partly a consequence of the idolatry introduced during Solomon's later reign.
c. 445 BC— this verse
Nehemiah's Return to Jerusalem
Nehemiah returns to Judah, this time as governor, to find the community struggling with religious and social decay. He confronts widespread Sabbath violations and intermarriage with foreign women.
c. 445 BC
Nehemiah Addresses Intermarriage
Nehemiah discovers that many returned exiles have married women from surrounding nations (Ashdod, Ammon, Moab). He vehemently condemns this practice, citing the spiritual dangers it poses and the historical precedent of Solomon's fall.
This passage directly details Solomon's sin, explaining how his many foreign wives led him to worship other gods, mirroring the warning Nehemiah gives to the people.
Deuteronomy 7:3-4This earlier law explicitly warns against intermarrying with foreign nations, outlining the danger of being turned away from the Lord, which is the very consequence Nehemiah is addressing.
2 Samuel 12:24-25This passage recalls God's love for Solomon, even naming him Jedidiah ('beloved of the Lord'), highlighting the tragic fall from such favor that Nehemiah uses as a cautionary tale.
Romans 15:4Paul references the Old Testament writings as providing instruction and encouragement; Nehemiah's use of Solomon's story perfectly illustrates how past examples serve as vital lessons for present conduct.
clarkeNehemiah 13:26: "Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin."
Did not Solomon - Have you not had an awful example before you? What a heavy curse did Solomon's conduct bring upon himself and upon the people, for a conduct such as yours?
pulpitNehemiah 13:26: "Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin."
Verse 26. - Did not Solomon... sin by these things? The example adduced was more apt than any other to move Jews. Israelites might have felt more deeply the case of Ahab (1 Kings 21:25). Solomon's sin in "going after strange wives," and its punishment, a…
Nehemiah highlights that even the wisest, most beloved king, Solomon, wasn't immune to sin when entangled with foreign women. This shows that exceptional favor and wisdom from God are no guarantee against temptation and failure if one chooses to engage with things that lead away from Him. It's a stark reminder that closeness to God doesn't grant immunity from falling, but rather underscores the constant need for vigilance.
Nehemiah is addressing the people of Judah about the serious sin of intermarrying with foreigners, which had led to a departure from God's ways. He recalls how Solomon, the wisest and most beloved king Israel had ever known, fell into sin and idolatry because of his foreign wives. This powerful example serves as a stark warning that even someone as gifted and favored as Solomon couldn't resist the corrupting influence of such unions.
Nehemiah is addressing the people of Judah about the serious sin of intermarrying with foreigners, which had led to a departure from God's ways. He recalls how Solomon, the wisest and most beloved king Israel had ever known, fell into sin and idolatry because of his foreign wives. This powerful example serves as a stark warning that even someone as gifted and favored as Solomon couldn't resist the corrupting influence of such unions.
"Did not Solomon king of Israel sin on account of such women? Among the many nations there was no king like him, and he was beloved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel. Nevertheless, foreign women made even him to sin." — Nehemiah highlights that even the wisest, most beloved king, Solomon, wasn't immune to sin when entangled with foreign women. This shows that exceptional favor and wisdom from God are no guarantee ag…
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Last reviewed October 2026
