1 Kings 11:8

And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.

And likewise did {H6213} he for all his strange {H5237} wives {H802}, which burnt incense {H6999} and sacrificed {H2076} unto their gods {H430}.

This is what he did for all his foreign wives, who then offered and sacrificed to their gods.

He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.

And so did he for all his foreign wives, who burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.

Commentary

1 Kings 11:8 provides a stark summary of King Solomon's spiritual decline, detailing the extent of his idolatry. After marrying numerous foreign women, against God's explicit commands, Solomon not only allowed but also facilitated their pagan worship.

Historical and Cultural Context

King Solomon's early reign was marked by unparalleled wisdom, wealth, and peace, as detailed in 1 Kings chapters 3-10. However, this verse, along with the preceding ones in 1 Kings 11, reveals a tragic turn. God had specifically warned the Israelites against intermarrying with surrounding nations, understanding that such alliances would inevitably lead to spiritual compromise and the worship of foreign deities (Deuteronomy 7:3-4, Exodus 34:15-16). Solomon, in his pursuit of political alliances and personal indulgence, amassed 700 wives and 300 concubines, many of whom were from these forbidden nations. This verse underscores that his accommodation of their idol worship was not limited to a few, but extended to "all his strange wives," meaning all his foreign consorts who continued their pagan practices.

Key Themes and Messages

  • The Danger of Compromise: Solomon's initial deviation from God's law regarding marriage led to a cascading effect of spiritual decline. What began as political alliances evolved into direct participation or facilitation of idolatry.
  • Idolatry and Apostasy: The verse explicitly states these wives "burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods." This was not merely toleration but active engagement in or support for pagan rituals, which is a direct affront to the one true God. Solomon's heart was turned away from the Lord by these foreign influences.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: This profound spiritual failure was the direct cause of God's anger and the subsequent tearing away of the kingdom from Solomon's lineage, leaving only a remnant for his son.

Linguistic Insights

The term "strange wives" (KJV) or "foreign wives" (ESV, NIV) translates the Hebrew word nakriyya (ื ึธื›ึฐืจึดื™ึผึธื”), which refers to women who are not native Israelites. This designation emphasizes their non-covenantal background and the inherent spiritual danger they posed by introducing alien religious practices into the heart of Israelite society and, tragically, into the king's own household.

Practical Application

Solomon's downfall serves as a powerful cautionary tale for believers today.

  • Guard Your Heart: This verse highlights the importance of guarding one's heart above all else, as it is the wellspring of life. Our relationships and influences significantly impact our spiritual walk.
  • Beware of Spiritual Drift: Small compromises can lead to significant spiritual deviation. What might seem like a minor concession today can open the door to greater disobedience and apostasy later.
  • The Impact of Relationships: We must be discerning about the company we keep and the influences we allow into our lives, especially those that might draw us away from our commitment to God. As 1 Corinthians 15:33 warns, "Evil communications corrupt good manners."

Note: If the commentary doesnโ€™t appear instantly, please allow 2โ€“5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated โ€” the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • 1 Corinthians 10:11

    Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

  • 1 Corinthians 10:12

    Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall.

  • Ezekiel 16:22

    And in all thine abominations and thy whoredoms thou hast not remembered the days of thy youth, when thou wast naked and bare, [and] wast polluted in thy blood.

  • Ezekiel 16:29

    Thou hast moreover multiplied thy fornication in the land of Canaan unto Chaldea; and yet thou wast not satisfied herewith.

  • 1 Kings 11:1

    ยถ But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, [and] Hittites;

  • Hosea 4:11

    Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.

  • Hosea 4:12

    ยถ My people ask counsel at their stocks, and their staff declareth unto them: for the spirit of whoredoms hath caused [them] to err, and they have gone a whoring from under their God.
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