1 Kings 11:4

KJV

For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, [that] his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as [was] the heart of David his father.

KJV (with Strong's)

For it came to pass, when {H6256} Solomon {H8010} was old {H2209}, that his wives {H802} turned away {H5186} his heart {H3824} after {H310} other {H312} gods {H430}: and his heart {H3824} was not perfect {H8003} with the LORD {H3068} his God {H430}, as was the heart {H3824} of David {H1732} his father {H1}.

Complete Jewish Bible

For when Shlomo became old, his wives turned his heart away toward other gods; so that he was not wholehearted with ADONAI his God, as David his father had been.

Berean Standard Bible

For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his father David had been.

American Standard Version

For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods; and his heart was not perfect with Jehovah his God, as was the heart of David his father.

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 11:4 marks a poignant and tragic turning point in the narrative of King Solomon, revealing the spiritual decline of Israel's once-glorious monarch in his old age. Despite his unparalleled wisdom and the privilege of building the Temple of the Lord, this verse details how his numerous foreign wives, contrary to divine command, subtly but decisively led his heart astray from exclusive devotion to Yahweh, the God of Israel. It starkly contrasts his compromised loyalty with the wholehearted devotion attributed to his father, King David, setting the stage for the kingdom's subsequent division and judgment.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This verse is strategically placed in the latter half of Solomon's reign, following chapters detailing his immense wealth, wisdom, and the construction of the Temple and his own palace. It immediately precedes God's declaration of judgment against Solomon for his idolatry and the subsequent rise of adversaries and the prophecy of the kingdom's division (e.g., [1 Kings 11:9-13](/1_kings/11-9 "1 Kings 11:9-13 - God's Judgment on Solomon")). It serves as the pivotal moment explaining the downfall of a king who started with such promise, connecting his personal spiritual failure directly to the national consequences that unfold in the subsequent chapters of [1 Kings](/1_kings/1 "1 Kings - The Reign of Kings in Israel and Judah").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** In the ancient Near East, royal marriages were often strategic alliances, sealing political treaties and ensuring peace. Solomon's acquisition of 700 wives and 300 concubines from various nations (e.g., Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, Hittites, as mentioned in [1 Kings 11:1](/1_kings/11-1 "1 Kings 11:1 - Solomon's Foreign Wives")) was likely intended to solidify his vast empire. However, Mosaic Law explicitly warned Israelite kings against multiplying wives, especially foreign ones, because they would "turn away your heart after their gods" ([Deuteronomy 17:17](/deuteronomy/17-17 "Deuteronomy 17:17 - Warning Against Multiplying Wives")). The cultural practice of polytheism meant that these wives brought their native deities and cultic practices into the Israelite court, creating a direct spiritual conflict with the monotheistic covenant of Israel.
* **Key Themes:** The verse powerfully underscores the **danger of idolatry and compromise**, illustrating how even a king of Solomon's stature could be subtly led astray by seemingly political or personal choices that violated divine commands. It highlights the theme of the **divided heart**, where Solomon's attempt to accommodate foreign deities alongside Yahweh revealed a lack of wholehearted devotion, a concept deeply antithetical to the exclusive covenant relationship God demanded from Israel ([Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")). This spiritual decline also foreshadows the **consequences of disobedience**, as Solomon's actions directly led to the tearing away of the kingdom from his lineage, a theme central to the Deuteronomistic history's emphasis on covenant faithfulness and its repercussions ([Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses")).

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS

#### Key Word Analysis
* **Perfect (Hebrew, _shalem'_):** The KJV translation "perfect" here derives from the Hebrew root *shalem* (שָׁלֵם), which conveys the idea of being complete, whole, sound, or undivided. When applied to the heart in a spiritual context, as in "his heart was not perfect with the LORD," it signifies a lack of wholehearted, undivided, and unreserved devotion. Solomon's heart was no longer singularly oriented towards Yahweh; it was compromised, fragmented, and pulled in multiple directions by competing loyalties, a stark contrast to the ideal of covenant faithfulness.
* **Turned away (Hebrew, _nāṭâ'_):** The verb *nāṭâ* (נָטָה) means "to incline," "to stretch out," "to turn aside," or "to deviate." This word implies a gradual, subtle, and perhaps even imperceptible process of deviation rather than an abrupt, sudden fall. It suggests that Solomon's wives exerted a persistent influence that slowly but surely caused his heart's allegiance to shift from Yahweh towards other gods, highlighting the insidious nature of spiritual drift through compromise and unholy alliances.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"For it came to pass, when Solomon was old":** This opening clause indicates that Solomon's spiritual decline was not a youthful indiscretion but a tragic culmination of choices made over a lifetime, manifesting fully in his later years. It suggests a gradual erosion of devotion, perhaps born of complacency or the cumulative weight of long-term compromises, rather than a sudden, dramatic apostasy.
* **"that his wives turned away his heart after other gods":** This is the direct cause and central accusation. Solomon's foreign wives, explicitly forbidden by God's law, became instruments of spiritual seduction. They did not merely practice their own religions; their influence actively "turned away" Solomon's heart, leading him to participate in or at least condone the worship of their deities, violating the first commandment.
* **"and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God":** This phrase serves as the theological diagnosis of Solomon's condition. His heart, the seat of his will, intellect, and affections, lacked the wholeness, integrity, and exclusive devotion required by the covenant. He attempted to serve both Yahweh and other gods, demonstrating a divided loyalty that God utterly rejects.
* **"as was the heart of David his father.":** This concluding comparison is a powerful indictment. David, despite his significant moral failings (e.g., Bathsheba, census), is consistently portrayed in Scripture as fundamentally devoted to Yahweh, a "man after God's own heart" ([1 Samuel 13:14](/1_samuel/13-14 "1 Samuel 13:14 - God's Choice of David")). Solomon, who began with far greater wisdom and resources, failed to maintain the singular, unwavering allegiance that characterized his father's overall spiritual orientation.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs several potent literary devices to convey its tragic message. **Contrast** is paramount, most notably between Solomon's compromised heart and the "perfect" heart of his father David. This highlights Solomon's failure not in isolation, but against the benchmark of covenant faithfulness embodied by his predecessor, amplifying the tragedy of his fall. The phrase "turned away his heart" utilizes **metaphor**, depicting the heart as the spiritual compass of a person, which has been reoriented from its true north (Yahweh) towards false deities. This metaphorical language emphasizes the internal, volitional nature of Solomon's apostasy. Furthermore, the verse serves as significant **foreshadowing**, hinting at the severe consequences that will soon befall Solomon and his kingdom. His spiritual deviation directly sets the stage for the divine judgment and the tearing away of the kingdom, which is explicitly prophesied later in the chapter ([1 Kings 11:11-13](/1_kings/11-11 "1 Kings 11:11-13 - God's Judgment Declared")).

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 11:4 stands as a profound theological statement on the absolute necessity of exclusive devotion to God within the covenant relationship. It vividly illustrates the insidious nature of idolatry, not merely as overt worship of other gods, but as any compromise that divides the heart's loyalty from Yahweh. God demands a "perfect" or whole heart, one that is undivided in its allegiance, recognizing that even subtle deviations, often masked by political expediency or personal desires, inevitably lead to spiritual apostasy and judgment. Solomon's failure underscores the enduring truth that wisdom and privilege do not inoculate one against temptation; rather, constant vigilance and unwavering commitment to God's commands are essential for covenant faithfulness.

* [Deuteronomy 17:17](/deuteronomy/17-17 "Deuteronomy 17:17 - Warning Against Multiplying Wives")
* [Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")
* [James 1:8](/james/1-8 "James 1:8 - The Double-Minded Man")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Solomon's tragic fall, as depicted in 1 Kings 11:4, serves as an enduring and sobering warning for all believers. It reminds us that spiritual decline is often a gradual process, a slow turning away of the heart, rather than an abrupt departure. Like Solomon, we can be subtly influenced by worldly pressures, relationships, or ambitions that, while seemingly innocuous, can insidiously erode our exclusive devotion to God. This verse compels us to rigorously examine our own hearts, asking what or who might be competing for our ultimate allegiance. It calls for a vigilant guarding of our spiritual integrity, ensuring that our loyalty to Christ remains undivided and whole. We must proactively identify and remove any idols—whether they be wealth, career, relationships, comfort, or cultural acceptance—that threaten to turn our hearts away from the Lord, lest we, too, suffer the consequences of a compromised faith.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **What "foreign wives" or worldly influences in my life might be subtly turning my heart away from wholehearted devotion to God?**
* **In what areas of my life might my heart be "not perfect" or divided in its loyalty to the Lord?**
* **How can I cultivate a more "perfect" (wholehearted) devotion to God in my daily life, intentionally guarding against spiritual compromise?**

### FAQ

**Why were Solomon's foreign wives such a problem, beyond just being "foreign"?**

Answer: The problem with Solomon's foreign wives was not merely their nationality but their religious practices and the spiritual compromise they introduced. God's law explicitly warned Israelite kings against multiplying wives, especially from nations that worshipped other gods ([Deuteronomy 17:17](/deuteronomy/17-17 "Deuteronomy 17:17 - Warning Against Multiplying Wives")). The primary concern was that these wives would "turn away your heart after their gods." This is precisely what happened with Solomon. They brought their deities and cultic practices into Israel, and Solomon, in an attempt to maintain political alliances or perhaps out of personal affection, not only tolerated but participated in their idolatry, building high places for Chemosh and Molech ([1 Kings 11:7-8](/1_kings/11-7 "1 Kings 11:7-7 - Solomon Builds High Places for Idols")). This directly violated the First Commandment, which demanded exclusive worship of Yahweh ([Exodus 20:3](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3 - The First Commandment")), leading to a divided heart and national apostasy.

**What does it mean for Solomon's "heart was not perfect with the LORD his God"?**

Answer: The phrase "his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God" signifies a lack of complete, undivided, and unwavering devotion. The Hebrew word *shalem* (שָׁלֵם), translated as "perfect," means whole, sound, or complete. In a spiritual sense, it refers to integrity and single-minded loyalty to God. Unlike his father David, whose heart was generally oriented towards God despite his moral failures, Solomon's heart was compromised. He attempted to serve both Yahweh and the gods of his foreign wives, demonstrating a fragmented loyalty. This "imperfect" heart indicates a spiritual state where God was no longer the sole object of his worship and obedience, leading to a profound breach of the covenant.

**How could Solomon, renowned as the wisest man, fall so far into idolatry?**

Answer: Solomon's fall, despite his unparalleled wisdom, is a tragic testament to the insidious nature of sin and the deceptive power of compromise. His wisdom was primarily for governance and discernment, but it did not guarantee spiritual fidelity, especially when confronted with persistent temptation and the allure of worldly power and pleasure. The text suggests a gradual decline, occurring "when Solomon was old," indicating a slow erosion of his devotion. His political alliances, cemented by numerous foreign marriages, became his spiritual undoing. He likely rationalized these actions, perhaps believing he could maintain his devotion to Yahweh while accommodating other deities. This highlights that even the wisest among us are vulnerable to spiritual drift if we neglect God's explicit commands and allow our hearts to be pulled away by competing loyalties, demonstrating that knowledge alone is insufficient without a steadfast, obedient heart.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
1 Kings 11:4, with its depiction of Solomon's divided heart and ultimate failure, powerfully underscores humanity's desperate need for a perfect King and a new heart. Solomon, though blessed with wisdom and the privilege of building God's Temple, ultimately failed to maintain a "perfect" or wholehearted devotion to the Lord, succumbing to the allure of foreign gods and compromising his covenant fidelity. This tragic narrative highlights the inherent inability of even the greatest human kings to perfectly fulfill God's righteous demands. However, this failure points forward to Jesus Christ, the true and greater Son of David, who alone possesses a perfectly undivided heart towards God. Unlike Solomon, who "turned away his heart," Jesus perfectly embodied obedience and exclusive devotion to the Father, even unto death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")). He is the King who never compromises, never deviates, and whose heart is eternally "perfect" with the Lord. Furthermore, where Solomon's sin led to the tearing of the kingdom, Christ's perfect obedience and atoning sacrifice offer the promise of a new covenant, where God gives His people new hearts and new spirits, enabling them to walk in His statutes with undivided loyalty ([Ezekiel 36:26-27](/ezekiel/36-26 "Ezekiel 36:26-27 - The Promise of a New Heart")). Thus, Solomon's tragic fall in 1 Kings 11:4 serves as a stark reminder of our own propensity to wander, while simultaneously magnifying the glory of Christ, who perfectly fulfills the ideal of kingship and offers us the very heart of devotion that Solomon lacked.

Note: Commentary is generated by AI with a directive for Biblical fidelity. Always rely on the Holy Spirit for discernment. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

Cross-References

1 Kings 9:4

And if thou wilt walk before me, as David thy father walked, in integrity of heart, and in uprightness, to do according to all that I have commanded thee, [and] wilt keep my statutes and my judgments:

1 Kings 8:61

Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day.

1 Chronicles 28:9

And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the LORD searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

1 Kings 11:6

And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as [did] David his father.

2 Chronicles 34:2

And he did [that which was] right in the sight of the LORD, and walked in the ways of David his father, and declined [neither] to the right hand, nor to the left.

Deuteronomy 17:17

Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.

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: [for] surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.