1 Kings 11:5-8

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 11:5

And Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians ,.... Enticed by the Zidonian women, or woman, he had, 1 Kings 11:1 . According to the Phoenician histories F9 Apud Tatian. contr. Graecos, p. 171. , Solomon married a daughter of Hiram, king of Tyre and Zidon; so Clemens of Alexandria says F11 Stromat. l. 1. p. 325. , that Hiram gave his daughter to Solomon; Ashtoreth is Astarte, the same with the Venus of the Greeks, so Suidas F12 In voce Ασταρτη . ; and... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 11:6

And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord ,.... As idolatry is, nothing more provoking to him: and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father ; for though he did not relinquish the worship of the true God, and the service of the temple, yet inasmuch as he worshipped other gods besides, or connived at the worship of them, he did not wholly, and constantly, and solely serve the Lord, as his father did. read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 11:7

Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Mesh ,.... Of this idol see Gill on Jeremiah 48:7 , an high place for which he ordered to be built, or at least suffered it to be built, at the instigation of his Moabitish woman or women, 1 Kings 11:1 , this was built in the hill that is before Jerusalem; on the mount of Olives, as Jarchi, called from hence afterwards the mount of corruption, 2 Kings 23:15 and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon, 1... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - 1 Kings 11:8

And likewise did he for all his strange wives ,.... That is, built high places for their idols, or suffered them to be built; for when he had done it for one, he could not refuse it to another, without greatly disobliging them; even for as many of them, which burnt incense, and sacrificed unto their gods ; the gods of the countries from whence they came, and in the worship of which they had been brought up: this shows that the best and wisest of men, when left to themselves, may do the... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - 1 Kings 11:7

The hill that is before Jerusalem - This was the Mount of Olives. 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 11:4-8

The Sin of Solomon. Three questions will suffice to bring this subject before us. First, what was this sin? secondly, by whom was it committed? thirdly, when, and under what circumstances? But first, it is well we should understand what this sin was not . We see, then, that the essence of this sin was that having permitted himself, or purposes of state and pride and ostentation, the love of many strange women, he permitted them, and possibly some of his subjects also, to worship... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - 1 Kings 11:5

For Solomon went after [Rawlinson observes that this expression, which is "common in the Pentateuch, always signifies actual idolatry." He cites Deuteronomy 11:28 ; Deuteronomy 13:2 ; Deuteronomy 28:14 ; but it should be considered that in the two passages last cited the words are added, "and served them." And the true explanation would seem to be that, though "it is not stated that Solomon himself offered sacrifice to these idols," yet "even the building of altars for idols was a... read more

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