1 Kings 11:4-14

4 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.

5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom, the abomination of the Ammonites.

6 And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father.

7 Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the mount that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the sons of Ammon.

8 And he did likewise for all his strange wives, who burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.

9 And the LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart was turned aside from the LORD God of Israel, who had appeared unto him twice,

10 and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods; but he did not keep that which the LORD had commanded him.

11 Therefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Because this has been in thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee and will give it to thy slave.

12 But I will not do it in thy days for David, thy father’s sake, but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.

13 However, I will not rend away all the kingdom, but will give one tribe to thy son for David, my slave’s sake, and for Jerusalem’s sake which I have chosen.

14 And the LORD stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad, the Edomite; he was of the king’s seed in Edom.

1 Kings 11:4-14 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO 1 KINGS 11

This chapter relates the false steps Solomon took, notwithstanding all his wisdom, in marrying strange wives, and worshipping other gods, 1Ki 11:1-8 upon which the Lord threatens him to rend the kingdom in his son's time, 1Ki 11:9-13 and he raised up adversaries against him, Hadad, Rezon, and Jeroboam, 1Ki 11:14-26 of which last an account is given, and of his being assured by Ahijah the prophet of his having ten of the tribes of Israel given to him; which Solomon having notice of sought to slay him, 1Ki 11:27-40 and the chapter is concluded with an account of Solomon's death and burial, 1Ki 11:41-43.