1 Kings 11 5

1 Kings 11:5 kjv

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

1 Kings 11:5 nkjv

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

1 Kings 11:5 niv

He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites.

1 Kings 11:5 esv

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

1 Kings 11:5 nlt

Solomon worshiped Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech, the detestable god of the Ammonites.

1 Kings 11 verses

1 Kings 11 5 Meaning

This verse states that King Solomon, who had previously been renowned for his wisdom and building the Temple for Yahweh, turned away from the worship of the one true God. He actively engaged in the worship of foreign deities, specifically Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and Milcom, the abhorrent god of the Ammonites. This act marked a profound spiritual betrayal and deviation from the covenant obligations of Israel's king.

1 Kings 11 5 Context

This verse is central to understanding the tragic spiritual decline of King Solomon. It follows directly after a description of Solomon acquiring a vast number of foreign wives (1 Kgs 11:1-3) who "turned away his heart" from the LORD in his old age (1 Kgs 11:4). This behavior explicitly violated the Mosaic Law regarding the king's conduct, particularly the prohibitions against accumulating horses, silver, gold, and especially many wives, "lest his heart turn away" (Deut 17:16-17). Despite his early devotion, unparalleled wisdom, and building of the glorious Temple for Yahweh, Solomon succumbed to the cultural and spiritual influences of his foreign wives. The narrative of 1 Kings 11 shifts from the glory of Solomon's reign to his abject spiritual failure, which directly leads to the divine judgment of the kingdom's division after his death. Historically, the Sidonians were a significant Phoenician maritime power, while the Ammonites were a tribal kingdom east of the Jordan, often antagonistic toward Israel. Their respective deities, Ashtoreth and Milcom, represent major Canaanite/transjordanian religious systems that stood in stark opposition to Yahweh's exclusive claim on Israel's worship, embodying fertility cults and horrific practices like child sacrifice, respectively. The verse serves as a profound warning against spiritual compromise and syncretism.

1 Kings 11 5 Word analysis

• For Solomon went after: This phrase (`kî hālak Shelomoh 'aḥarēy`) signifies Solomon’s active choice and dedication to these foreign deities. The Hebrew verb `hālak` (הָלַךְ), "to go," when used with `'aḥarēy` (אַחֲרֵי), "after," often means to "follow after," "serve," or "be devoted to" another god. It implies apostasy or turning from one’s covenant with God to embrace idolatry. This highlights the intentionality and commitment behind Solomon's actions, not just passive allowance.
• Ashtoreth: (עַשְׁתֹּרֶת, ‘Ashtoreth). This was a prominent Canaanite and Phoenician fertility goddess, the female counterpart to Baal. She was often associated with sexual rites, war, and the heavens. Her worship involved temple prostitution and other abhorrent practices from the perspective of Yahwism. The biblical text consistently condemns her worship as a primary form of idolatry against Yahweh, particularly noted in Judges (e.g., Judg 2:13, 10:6).
• the goddess of the Sidonians: The Sidonians were a prominent Phoenician people, neighbors and traders with Israel. Their primary deity was Ashtoreth. This specifies the cultural origin and adherents of this particular idolatry that Solomon embraced. This association underlines how Solomon’s foreign wives (many of whom would have been from these nations, including Pharaoh’s daughter and women of Sidonian origin) directly introduced their national gods.
• and after Milcom: (מִלְכֹּם, Milkom). Also known as Molech or Molech (מֹלֶךְ, Molech), this was the chief national god of the Ammonites. This deity was infamously associated with human sacrifice, particularly child sacrifice, where children were passed through fire as an offering. This was one of the most detestable practices to Yahweh, repeatedly condemned in the Law (Lev 18:21; Deut 12:31).
• the abomination of the Ammonites: (שִׁקּוּץ, shiqquts). The Hebrew term shiqquts carries a strong sense of revulsion, detestation, and ritual impurity. It refers to idols or idolatrous practices that are utterly loathsome and defiling in God's eyes. Labeling Milcom as an "abomination" directly conveys God's profound displeasure and disgust with such a deity and its associated cultic practices. It sets Milcom in absolute moral and religious opposition to Yahweh, emphasizing the severity of Solomon’s sin. The Ammonites were historical adversaries of Israel, and their religious practices were seen as antithetical to God's holiness.

• "went after Ashtoreth ... and after Milcom": This parallel structure emphasizes Solomon's dual apostasy and the broadness of his spiritual deviation, encompassing major deities of two distinct neighboring peoples. It's not a singular, minor lapse but a deliberate embrace of multiple foreign gods, symptomatic of a heart "turned away" (1 Kgs 11:4).
• "Ashtoreth the goddess... Milcom the abomination": This juxtaposition highlights the contrast. Ashtoreth is given the descriptive title "goddess," while Milcom is pointedly called "abomination," underscoring the particular horrific nature of Milcom's worship (especially involving child sacrifice) from a divine perspective.

1 Kings 11 5 Bonus section

The narrative presents Solomon's idolatry not merely as a personal failing but as a deep societal breach that contaminated the religious purity of Israel. The altars built by Solomon for these deities (later defiled by King Josiah in 2 Kgs 23:13) perpetuated this spiritual pollution long after his death. This also illustrates a polemical point: the biblical text is not neutral towards these foreign gods but consistently condemns them, labeling them as "abominations," reinforcing the absolute uniqueness and moral superiority of Yahweh as the one true God against the surrounding polytheistic beliefs. This also implicitly validates the Deuteronomic warnings against such practices, demonstrating their foresight and the inevitable consequences of disobedience to God's specific commands concerning kings and their responsibilities to maintain the purity of Yahwism within the nation.

1 Kings 11 5 Commentary

This verse serves as a pivotal point in the biblical narrative, marking the downfall of the king of Israel and foreshadowing the division of the kingdom. It exposes the insidious nature of compromise, illustrating that even one as wise and divinely favored as Solomon was vulnerable to spiritual defilement through ungodly associations and the pursuit of political expediency over divine commands. His devotion to these specific deities — Ashtoreth with her fertility rites and Milcom with human sacrifice — signifies a radical departure from the exclusive worship of Yahweh, which formed the cornerstone of Israel’s covenant identity. The "abomination" label on Milcom specifically reinforces God's utter rejection of such cruel paganism, starkly contrasting with His character of life and mercy. Solomon’s actions laid the foundation for generations of idolatry within Israel, culminating in national judgment. This serves as a perpetual warning about the seductive power of syncretism and the paramount importance of wholehearted devotion to God.

For practical usage, this verse cautions against:

• Allowing relationships or external influences to corrupt one's devotion to God.
• The subtle erosion of faith through gradual compromise rather than immediate rejection of sin.
• The dangers of spiritual syncretism, where elements of the world are blended with divine truth.