1 Kings 11 10

1 Kings 11:10 kjv

And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.

1 Kings 11:10 nkjv

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

1 Kings 11:10 niv

Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the LORD's command.

1 Kings 11:10 esv

and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what the LORD commanded.

1 Kings 11:10 nlt

He had warned Solomon specifically about worshiping other gods, but Solomon did not listen to the LORD's command.

1 Kings 11 verses

1 Kings 11 10 Meaning

God had explicitly instructed King Solomon not to worship other deities. However, Solomon disobediently failed to uphold this fundamental divine commandment, choosing instead to pursue and serve other gods. This verse underscores his direct defiance against the Lord's clear and personal warning, revealing a profound moral and spiritual lapse despite his renowned wisdom.

1 Kings 11 10 Context

1 Kings chapter 11 details King Solomon's spiritual decline and the divine judgment that follows. Verse 10 specifically references the core violation: Solomon's heart was "turned from the Lord God of Israel" (v. 9). The preceding verses (1-8) explain how this happened – his foreign wives, taken for political alliances, led him astray by bringing their idolatrous practices into Israel, even prompting him to build places of worship for their gods.

Historically, ancient Near Eastern kings often married foreign princesses to secure alliances, but Israel's covenant with YHWH specifically prohibited such relationships due to the inherent danger of religious syncretism (Deut 7:3-4). The command mentioned in this verse refers to two direct, personal appearances of God to Solomon (1 Kings 3 and 9). During these encounters, God blessed Solomon and warned him explicitly about the consequences of forsaking Him and worshiping other gods. Thus, Solomon's disobedience was not an ignorant mistake but a deliberate transgression against clear, twice-repeated divine instruction.

1 Kings 11 10 Word analysis

• and had commanded him: From the Hebrew verb צוה (tzavah), meaning "to command," "to appoint," or "to instruct with authority." This term signifies a direct, authoritative order from God, not a suggestion or a request. The emphasis is on the divine source and imperative nature of the instruction. It refers to God's appearances to Solomon as recorded in 1 Kings 3 (implicit) and particularly 1 Kings 9:6-7, where God directly states the severe consequences of serving other gods.

• concerning this thing: This phrase, though simple, points directly to the critical content of the command that follows: the prohibition against idolatry. It underscores the specificity and crucial importance of this particular divine injunction.

• that he should not go after: The Hebrew phrase is לא תלך אחרי (lo telech acharey), meaning literally "you shall not walk after." This is an idiomatic expression that goes beyond physical movement. It implies active pursuit, following allegiance, serving, imitating, and being devoted to. It speaks of a commitment of heart and loyalty. Solomon's actions were a deliberate pursuit of the worship of other gods.

• other gods: From the Hebrew אלהים אחרים (elohim acherim), a standard biblical phrase referring to any deity worshipped apart from YHWH, the covenant God of Israel. These were typically the false, pagan gods of the surrounding nations, like Ashtoreth, Milcom, and Chemosh, mentioned in 1 Kings 11:5-7. The worship of "other gods" was the foundational violation of Israel's unique covenant relationship, demanding exclusive devotion to YHWH as stipulated in the First Commandment (Ex 20:3).

• but he did not keep: The conjunctive "but" (ו, wə) creates a strong contrast, highlighting Solomon's defiant failure. The verb "keep" (שמר, shamar) means "to guard," "to observe," "to preserve," or "to diligently obey." It implies an active, intentional preservation of a command through faithful action. Solomon did not "guard" God's command in his heart or his actions; he allowed it to be broken and discarded. This was not merely passive neglect but active disobedience.

• what the Lord commanded: Reiteration of the divine source and authority. "The Lord" (יהוה, YHWH) refers to the covenant God of Israel, the one true God who had chosen Israel and entered into a special relationship with them. This emphasizes that the violated command was not a human invention or a trivial rule, but a sacred decree from the supreme Sovereign, bearing immense weight and covenantal significance. Solomon's disobedience was directly against YHWH Himself.

1 Kings 11 10 Bonus section

• The gravity of Solomon's sin is amplified by the fact that the command came to him directly and was repeated, making his disobedience a conscious act of rebellion rather than ignorance.
• Solomon, despite his extraordinary wisdom, failed in the most basic tenet of the covenant: pure monotheistic worship. This shows that wisdom alone, without a loyal and obedient heart, cannot sustain faithfulness to God.
• Solomon's sin was not merely personal but had profound corporate implications, leading to the political and spiritual fragmentation of the united kingdom (1 Ki 11:11-13). This illustrates the ripple effect of leadership's spiritual compromise.
• The command against "going after other gods" implies a matter of ultimate loyalty and priority. For Solomon, his political expediency and pleasure eclipsed his commitment to the Lord.

1 Kings 11 10 Commentary

1 Kings 11:10 is a pivotal statement in the narrative of Solomon's reign, starkly articulating the core reason for God's impending judgment: deliberate disobedience to a direct divine command against idolatry. Despite being gifted with unparalleled wisdom and twice personally appearing to by the Lord (1 Ki 3; 9), Solomon chose to defy God's explicit warning. This was not merely a lapse in judgment but a fundamental breach of the covenant, which demanded exclusive allegiance to YHWH. His foreign wives led him to compromise and engage in syncretism, worshipping foreign deities (1 Ki 11:1-8). The verse highlights that even great spiritual privilege and divine encounters do not exempt one from the requirement of simple, heartfelt obedience. Solomon's failure to "keep" what the Lord commanded underscores his divided heart, leading to the severe consequence of the kingdom's division. This serves as a timeless warning against any compromise with the world that threatens our undivided devotion to God.