King James Version:
(The Lord speaking is red text)
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: [for] surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.
Complete Jewish Bible:
nations about which ADONAI had said to the people of Isra'el, "You are not to go among them or they among you, because they will turn your hearts away toward their gods." But Shlomo was deeply attached to them by his love.
Berean Standard Bible:
These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love.
American Standard Version:
of the nations concerning which Jehovah said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go among them, neither shall they come among you; for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.
KJV with Strong’s Numbers:
Of the nations{H1471} concerning which the LORD{H3068} said{H559} unto the children{H1121} of Israel{H3478}, Ye shall not go in{H935} to them, neither shall they come in{H935} unto you: for surely{H403} they will turn away{H5186} your heart{H3824} after{H310} their gods{H430}: Solomon{H8010} clave{H1692} unto these in love{H157}.
Cross-References (KJV):
Exodus 34:16
- And thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters go a whoring after their gods, and make thy sons go a whoring after their gods.
Deuteronomy 7:3
- Neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son.
Deuteronomy 7:4
- For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.
Joshua 23:12
- Else if ye do in any wise go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, [even] these that remain among you, and shall make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you:
Joshua 23:13
- Know for a certainty that the LORD your God will no more drive out [any of] these nations from before you; but they shall be snares and traps unto you, and scourges in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.
Exodus 23:32
- Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods.
Exodus 23:33
- They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me: for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.
Explore This Verse Across Other Resources:
Commentary for 1 Kings 11:2
1 Kings 11:2 is a verse that captures a critical moment in the history of ancient Israel, reflecting the religious and political dynamics of the time. The verse is set during the reign of King Solomon, who is known for his wisdom, wealth, and the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. However, this verse highlights a significant departure from the divine commandments given to the Israelites.
The historical context of the verse is rooted in the covenant between God and Israel, where God had explicitly instructed the Israelites not to intermarry with the surrounding nations or adopt their religious practices (Exodus 34:12-16, Deuteronomy 7:3-4). These nations practiced idolatry, which was strictly prohibited for the Israelites, who were to remain faithful to the worship of Yahweh alone.
In 1 Kings 11:2, the verse specifically addresses Solomon's actions, stating that he took foreign wives from these prohibited nations. The text emphasizes that these marriages were acts of love, indicating that Solomon was not merely forming political alliances but was personally attached to these women. The verse then foreshadows the consequences of Solomon's actions, warning that these foreign wives would turn his heart away from the true worship of God, towards the worship of other gods.
The themes of the verse include the importance of religious purity, the dangers of syncretism (the blending of different religious beliefs and practices), and the gravity of disobedience to God's commands. It also touches on the human tendency to be led astray by personal desires and relationships, even when such attractions conflict with divine principles. This verse sets the stage for the subsequent decline of Solomon's reign, as his idolatrous practices lead to divine displeasure and the eventual division of the united kingdom of Israel into two separate kingdoms, Israel and Judah.
In summary, 1 Kings 11:2 serves as a pivotal point in the narrative of Solomon's reign, illustrating his deviation from the covenantal laws of God, which would have profound political and spiritual consequences for the nation of Israel. It underscores the tension between divine command and human desire, and the tragic outcomes when leaders choose the latter over the former.
*This commentary is produced by Microsoft/WizardLM-2-8x22B AI model
Strong's Numbers and Definitions:
Note: H = Hebrew (OT), G = Greek (NT)
- Strong's Number: H1471
There are 511 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: גּוֹי
Transliteration: gôwy
Pronunciation: go'-ee
Description: rarely (shortened) גֹּי; apparently from the same root as גֵּוָה (in the sense of massing); a foreign nation; hence, a Gentile; also (figuratively) a troop of animals, or a flight of locusts; Gentile, heathen, nation, people. - Strong's Number: H3068
There are 5521 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יְהֹוָה
Transliteration: Yᵉhôvâh
Pronunciation: yeh-ho-vaw'
Description: from הָיָה; (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God; Jehovah, the Lord. Compare יָהּ, יְהֹוִה. - Strong's Number: H559
There are 4434 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָמַר
Transliteration: ʼâmar
Pronunciation: aw-mar'
Description: a primitive root; to say (used with great latitude); answer, appoint, avouch, bid, boast self, call, certify, challenge, charge, [phrase] (at the, give) command(-ment), commune, consider, declare, demand, [idiom] desire, determine, [idiom] expressly, [idiom] indeed, [idiom] intend, name, [idiom] plainly, promise, publish, report, require, say, speak (against, of), [idiom] still, [idiom] suppose, talk, tell, term, [idiom] that is, [idiom] think, use (speech), utter, [idiom] verily, [idiom] yet. - Strong's Number: H1121
There are 3654 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בֵּן
Transliteration: bên
Pronunciation: bane
Description: from בָּנָה; a son (as a builder of the family name), in the widest sense (of literal and figurative relationship, including grandson, subject, nation, quality or condition, etc., (like father or brother), etc.); [phrase] afflicted, age, (Ahoh-) (Ammon-) (Hachmon-) (Lev-) ite, (anoint-) ed one, appointed to, ([phrase]) arrow, (Assyr-) (Babylon-) (Egypt-) (Grec-) ian, one born, bough, branch, breed, [phrase] (young) bullock, [phrase] (young) calf, [idiom] came up in, child, colt, [idiom] common, [idiom] corn, daughter, [idiom] of first, [phrase] firstborn, foal, [phrase] very fruitful, [phrase] postage, [idiom] in, [phrase] kid, [phrase] lamb, ([phrase]) man, meet, [phrase] mighty, [phrase] nephew, old, ([phrase]) people, [phrase] rebel, [phrase] robber, [idiom] servant born, [idiom] soldier, son, [phrase] spark, [phrase] steward, [phrase] stranger, [idiom] surely, them of, [phrase] tumultuous one, [phrase] valiant(-est), whelp, worthy, young (one), youth. - Strong's Number: H3478
There are 2229 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: יִשְׂרָאֵל
Transliteration: Yisrâʼêl
Pronunciation: yis-raw-ale'
Description: from שָׂרָה and אֵל; he will rule as God; Jisrael, a symbolical name of Jacob; also (typically) of his posterity; Israel. - Strong's Number: H935
There are 2307 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: בּוֹא
Transliteration: bôwʼ
Pronunciation: bo
Description: a primitive root; to go or come (in a wide variety of applications); abide, apply, attain, [idiom] be, befall, [phrase] besiege, bring (forth, in, into, to pass), call, carry, [idiom] certainly, (cause, let, thing for) to come (against, in, out, upon, to pass), depart, [idiom] doubtless again, [phrase] eat, [phrase] employ, (cause to) enter (in, into, -tering, -trance, -try), be fallen, fetch, [phrase] follow, get, give, go (down, in, to war), grant, [phrase] have, [idiom] indeed, (in-) vade, lead, lift (up), mention, pull in, put, resort, run (down), send, set, [idiom] (well) stricken (in age), [idiom] surely, take (in), way. - Strong's Number: H403
There are 70 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָכֵן
Transliteration: ʼâkên
Pronunciation: aw-kane'
Description: from כּוּן (compare כֵּן); firmly; figuratively, surely; also (advers.) but; but, certainly, nevertheless, surely, truly, verily. - Strong's Number: H5186
There are 207 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: נָטָה
Transliteration: nâṭâh
Pronunciation: naw-taw'
Description: a primitive root; to stretch or spread out; by implication, to bend away (including moral deflection); used in a great variety of application; [phrase] afternoon, apply, bow (down, -ing), carry aside, decline, deliver, extend, go down, be gone, incline, intend, lay, let down, offer, outstretched, overthrown, pervert, pitch, prolong, put away, shew, spread (out), stretch (forth, out), take (aside), turn (aside, away), wrest, cause to yield. - Strong's Number: H3824
There are 230 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: לֵבָב
Transliteration: lêbâb
Pronunciation: lay-bawb'
Description: from לָבַב; used also like לֵב; the heart (as the most interior organ); [phrase] bethink themselves, breast, comfortably, courage, ((faint), (tender-) heart(-ed), midst, mind, [idiom] unawares, understanding. - Strong's Number: H310
There are 766 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אַחַר
Transliteration: ʼachar
Pronunciation: akh-ar'
Description: from אָחַר; properly, the hind part; generally used as an adverb or conjunction, after (in various senses); after (that, -ward), again, at, away from, back (from, -side), behind, beside, by, follow (after, -ing), forasmuch, from, hereafter, hinder end, [phrase] out (over) live, [phrase] persecute, posterity, pursuing, remnant, seeing, since, thence(-forth), when, with. - Strong's Number: H430
There are 2334 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אֱלֹהִים
Transliteration: ʼĕlôhîym
Pronunciation: el-o-heem'
Description: plural of אֱלוֹהַּ; gods in the ordinary sense; but specifically used (in the plural thus, especially with the article) of the supreme God; occasionally applied by way of deference to magistrates; and sometimes as a superlative; angels, [idiom] exceeding, God (gods) (-dess, -ly), [idiom] (very) great, judges, [idiom] mighty. - Strong's Number: H8010
There are 263 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: שְׁלֹמֹה
Transliteration: Shᵉlômôh
Pronunciation: shel-o-mo'
Description: from שָׁלוֹם; peaceful; Shelomah, David's successor; Solomon. - Strong's Number: H1692
There are 52 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: דָּבַק
Transliteration: dâbaq
Pronunciation: daw-bak'
Description: a primitive root; properly, to impinge, i.e. cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit; abide fast, cleave (fast together), follow close (hard after), be joined (together), keep (fast), overtake, pursue hard, stick, take. - Strong's Number: H157
There are 257 instances of this translation in the Bible
Lemma: אָהַב
Transliteration: ʼâhab
Pronunciation: aw-hab'
Description: or אָהֵב ; a primitive root; to have affection for (sexually or otherwise); (be-) love(-d, -ly, -r), like, friend.