Read & Study the Bible Online - Bible Portal
Matthew Henry

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - 1 Kings 11:1-8

This is a sad story, and very surprising, of Solomon's defection and degeneracy. I. Let us enquire into the occasions and particulars of it. Shall Solomon fall, that was the beauty of Israel, and so great a blessing of his generation? Yes, it is too true, and the scripture is faithful in relating it, and repeating it, and referring to it long after, Neh. 13:26. There was no king like Solomon who was beloved of his God, yet even him did outlandish women cause to sin. There is the summary of his... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 11:1

But King Solomon loved many strange women ,.... His love was a lustful and not a lawful one, and of women who were not only of foreign countries, but not his lawful wives, and these many: together with the daughter of Pharaoh ; besides her, or as he loved her, and perhaps more; his sin was not that he loved her who was his lawful wife, but others with her; it is very probable she was a proselytess, and had no hand in turning him to idolatry, since we read not of any high place built for... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 11:2

Of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel, ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you ,.... That is, they should not intermarry with one another; this is to be understood of the last mentioned, the Hittites, who were one of the seven nations this law respected, Deuteronomy 7:1 . for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods ; which is the reason given for the making the above law, and was sadly verified in Solomon: ... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 11:3

And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines ,.... In all 1000, a prodigious number; though these might not be all for use, but for state after the manner of the eastern monarchs; these were a far greater number than are alluded to in Song of Solomon 6:8 , unless the virgins without number there, were such of these as were not defiled by him; but the number here seems plainly referred to in Ecclesiastes 7:28 , and his wives turned away his heart ; both... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 11:1

Many strange women - That is, idolaters; together with the daughter of Pharaoh: she was also one of those strange women and an idolater. But many think she became a proselyte to the Jewish religion; of this there is no evidence. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 11:3

He had seven hundred wives , princesses - How he could get so many of the blood royal from the different surrounding nations, is astonishing; but probably the daughters of noblemen, generals, etc., may be included. And three hundred concubines - These were wives of the second rank, who were taken according to the usages of those times; but their offspring could not inherit. Sarah was to Abraham what these seven hundred princesses were to Solomon; and the three hundred... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 11:1

EXPOSITION SOLOMON 'S DEFECTION .—The observant reader will have already remarked in this history some intimations of Solomon's approaching fall. Among these are, first, the repeated warnings which are addressed to him, especially in 1 Kings 9:6-9 , and, second, his repeated transgressions of the law by which he ruled. We have already heard of the multiplication of silver and gold ( 1 Kings 10:14-25 ), in defiance of Deuteronomy 17:17 , and of the multiplication of horses ( ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 11:1-8

The Fall of a King. Solomon was a king of men. Not only was he supreme civil ruler of his nation, he was also chief in wisdom and knowledge, and distinguished in the favour of God ( Nehemiah 13:26 ). This moral royalty is open to all. The prize is nobler than that of the most glittering "corruptible crown." From this kingship Solomon fell, though he retained the throne of the nation. The rascal often lurks in the heart that is under an anointed face. Let us consider— I. THE ... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 11:1-8

Solomon's Sin. I. THE SIN . 1 . Its nature . He not only aided his wives to continue their idolatrous worship, he himself participated in it. He went after strange gods, seeking their favour and observing their ordinances. The worship of Jehovah was not discarded, but delight in the true God was gone, and the flame of that loving zeal for God's commandments died away: his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God. The worship now offered in the temple was the lingering... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 11:2

Of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel [Of the nations just enumerated, the law expressly forbade marriage with the Hittites alone ( Exodus 34:11-16 ; Deuteronomy 7:1-4 ), though the Zidonians are probably to be included, as being Canaanites ( Genesis 10:15 ). But the principle which applied in the ease of the seven nations of Canaan applied equally to all other idolaters. "They will turn away thy son from following me," etc. ( Deuteronomy 7:4 ... read more

Group of Brands