1 Kings 11:9

KJV

¶ And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,

KJV (with Strong's)

And the LORD {H3068} was angry {H599} with Solomon {H8010}, because his heart {H3824} was turned {H5186} from the LORD {H3068} God {H430} of Israel {H3478}, which had appeared {H7200} unto him twice {H6471},

Complete Jewish Bible

So ADONAI grew angry with Shlomo, because his heart had turned away from ADONAI the God of Isra'el, who had appeared to him twice

Berean Standard Bible

Now the LORD grew angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.

American Standard Version

And Jehovah was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned away from Jehovah, the God of Israel, who had appeared unto him twice,

Commentary

### SUMMARY
1 Kings 11:9 marks a tragic turning point in Solomon's reign, revealing God's righteous anger and profound displeasure due to the king's spiritual apostasy. Despite being uniquely blessed with wisdom and having received two direct divine appearances with explicit warnings, Solomon allowed his heart to deviate from exclusive devotion to the LORD God of Israel, pursuing idolatry and compromising the covenant relationship. This verse underscores the gravity of spiritual infidelity and sets the stage for the severe consequences that would befall his kingdom.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pivotal verse immediately follows a detailed account of Solomon's extensive foreign marriages (specifically [1 Kings 11:1-3](/1_kings/11-1 "1 Kings 11:1-3 - Solomon's Foreign Wives")) and his subsequent compromise. Verses 4-8 describe how his foreign wives turned his heart after other gods, leading him to build high places and altars for pagan deities like Ashtoreth, Milcom, Chemosh, and Molech. This is a direct violation of the Mosaic Law and the explicit warnings God had given Solomon. The narrative in [1 Kings](/1_kings/1 "The Book of 1 Kings") has consistently highlighted Solomon's initial wisdom and devotion, particularly in his prayer for wisdom ([1 Kings 3:5-14](/1_kings/3-5 "1 Kings 3:5-14 - Solomon's Request for Wisdom")) and the dedication of the Temple ([1 Kings 8](/1_kings/8 "1 Kings 8 - Dedication of the Temple")). Verse 9 serves as the divine judgment on this escalating pattern of disobedience, setting the stage for God's pronouncement of judgment in [1 Kings 11:11-13](/1_kings/11-11 "1 Kings 11:11-13 - God's Judgment on Solomon").
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** Solomon's reign (c. 970-931 BC) was characterized by unprecedented wealth, political stability, and international alliances. Marriages to foreign princesses were common diplomatic strategies in the ancient Near East, designed to secure peace treaties and trade routes. However, for Israel, such alliances were fraught with spiritual danger due to the strict prohibition against intermarriage with pagan nations and the worship of their gods, as explicitly commanded in [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Warning Against Intermarriage"). The surrounding cultures were polytheistic, with various fertility cults and idolatrous practices. Solomon's decision to accommodate these foreign deities by building altars for them within Israelite territory represented a profound syncretism, a blending of true worship with paganism, which was anathema to the LORD's demand for exclusive devotion. This cultural context underscores the deliberate nature of Solomon's sin, as he knowingly violated the core tenets of his nation's covenant with God.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes in [1 Kings](/1_kings/1 "The Book of 1 Kings"). Firstly, it highlights the **gravity of disobedience** and the **consequences of covenant infidelity**, even for those most privileged by God. Solomon's unparalleled wisdom and wealth did not exempt him from divine judgment when he turned away. Secondly, it emphasizes the theme of a **divided heart**. As [1 Kings 11:4](/1_kings/11-4 "1 Kings 11:4 - Solomon's Heart Not Wholly True") states, Solomon's heart was "not wholly true to the LORD his God." This internal spiritual compromise, rather than an external political expediency, is presented as the root cause of his downfall, demonstrating that true faithfulness requires undivided loyalty. Finally, the verse underscores the **sovereignty and holiness of God**, who actively responds to sin and upholds His covenant demands, even if it means judging His chosen king.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Angry (Hebrew, _charah'_):** This verb literally means "to burn" or "to be hot," and in this context, it signifies a righteous and intense displeasure or indignation. It is not a capricious human emotion but a holy response from God to a profound betrayal of covenant. God's anger here reflects His unwavering commitment to His own holiness and the terms of His covenant with Israel, which Solomon had deliberately violated.
* **Heart (Hebrew, _levav'_):** In Hebrew anthropology, the "heart" is far more than just the seat of emotions; it encompasses the entire inner person – the intellect, will, conscience, and moral character. When Solomon's "heart was turned," it indicates a fundamental, deep-seated shift in his core being, a deliberate reorientation of his will and affections away from God, not merely an external or superficial act.
* **Turned (Hebrew, _natah'_):** This verb means "to incline," "to stretch out," "to deviate," or "to turn aside." It implies a deliberate, though perhaps gradual, swerving from a prescribed path. In Solomon's case, it denotes a conscious choice to deviate from the covenant path of exclusive worship and obedience, despite clear divine guidance and warnings. It suggests a progressive drift rather than an instantaneous fall.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"And the LORD was angry with Solomon":** This clause establishes the divine response to Solomon's actions. God's anger is a just and holy reaction to Solomon's profound spiritual infidelity and idolatry. It signifies that God takes His covenant relationship with His people, and especially with His anointed king, with utmost seriousness. This is not an emotional outburst but a righteous judgment.
* **"because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel":** This is the core reason for God's anger. Solomon's sin was not merely external (building altars) but originated from an internal defection of his "heart"—his deepest loyalties, affections, and will. He had ceased to give exclusive devotion to the one true God, allowing other gods to compete for his allegiance. This spiritual turning away was a direct violation of the first commandment.
* **"which had appeared unto him twice":** This crucial phrase intensifies the gravity of Solomon's sin. God had not only blessed Solomon with wisdom and wealth but had also personally revealed Himself to the king on two distinct occasions (first in [1 Kings 3:5](/1_kings/3-5 "1 Kings 3:5 - God Appears to Solomon at Gibeon") at Gibeon, and second in [1 Kings 9:1-9](/1_kings/9-1 "1 Kings 9:1-9 - God's Second Appearance to Solomon") after the Temple dedication). During these appearances, God had explicitly warned Solomon against turning to other gods and outlined the severe consequences of disobedience. Solomon's apostasy was therefore not out of ignorance but a deliberate rejection of direct divine revelation and a profound betrayal of a privileged relationship.

#### Literary Devices
The verse employs **Anthropomorphism** by attributing human emotion ("angry") to God, making His righteous displeasure relatable and understandable to the reader. This device emphasizes the personal nature of God's relationship with His people and His active response to their faithfulness or unfaithfulness. There is also a strong element of **Irony** present: Solomon, renowned for his unparalleled wisdom granted by God, ultimately makes the most foolish and destructive spiritual choices. His "wisdom" failed to guard his "heart." Furthermore, the verse serves as a powerful **Foreshadowing**, setting the stage for the subsequent divine judgment pronounced upon Solomon, namely the rending of his kingdom, as detailed in the verses immediately following [1 Kings 11:11-13](/1_kings/11-11 "1 Kings 11:11-13 - God's Judgment on Solomon").

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
This verse profoundly illustrates God's unyielding demand for exclusive devotion and His righteous response to spiritual infidelity. It underscores that God's covenant relationship is conditional upon obedience, even for His chosen leaders. Solomon's failure highlights the human propensity to stray, even after experiencing profound divine blessing and direct revelation. God's anger is not arbitrary but flows from His holy character, which cannot tolerate idolatry or a divided heart. The severity of the judgment is proportional to the privilege and knowledge Solomon possessed, serving as a timeless warning that spiritual compromise, especially concerning loyalty to God, carries dire consequences.

* [Deuteronomy 7:3-4](/deuteronomy/7-3 "Deuteronomy 7:3-4 - Warning Against Intermarriage")
* [Exodus 34:14](/exodus/34-14 "Exodus 34:14 - God is a Jealous God")
* [Matthew 6:24](/matthew/6-24 "Matthew 6:24 - Cannot Serve Two Masters")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
Solomon's tragic spiritual decline, despite his initial wisdom and privileged relationship with God, serves as a profound and sobering warning for believers today. This verse compels us to seriously examine the state of our own hearts. It reminds us that spiritual compromise often begins subtly, not with an outright rejection of God, but with a gradual "turning" or inclining towards worldly affections, relationships, or pursuits that subtly compete for our ultimate devotion. Just as Solomon's foreign wives led his heart astray, so too can ungodly influences or a pursuit of comfort and security outside of God's will slowly erode our spiritual integrity. This passage calls for vigilant self-examination, urging us to guard our hearts diligently, recognizing that true faithfulness demands undivided loyalty to the LORD. It teaches us that even great spiritual leaders are not immune to the consequences of disobedience if they allow their hearts to stray from Him.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what subtle ways might my own heart be "turning" or inclining away from undivided devotion to the LORD?**
* **What "foreign gods" or worldly pursuits might be competing for my ultimate allegiance and affections today?**
* **How can I proactively "guard my heart" ([Proverbs 4:23](/proverbs/4-23 "Proverbs 4:23 - Guard Your Heart")) against the insidious creep of spiritual compromise?**
* **What lessons can I learn from Solomon's downfall about the importance of accountability and heeding divine warnings?**

### FAQ
**Why was God "angry" with Solomon, given His mercy and Solomon's initial devotion?**

Answer: God's "anger" here is not a loss of control or a capricious human emotion, but a righteous and holy indignation against sin, specifically against covenant breaking and idolatry. Solomon's sin was particularly egregious because he was the king of Israel, uniquely blessed with wisdom, and had received two direct, personal appearances from God where he was explicitly warned against turning to other gods ([1 Kings 3:5](/1_kings/3-5 "1 Kings 3:5 - God Appears to Solomon") and [1 Kings 9:1-9](/1_kings/9-1 "1 Kings 9:1-9 - God's Second Appearance")). His actions were a deliberate and high-handed rebellion against known divine will and a profound betrayal of his privileged relationship with the LORD. God's mercy is indeed vast, but His holiness and justice demand a response to such flagrant disobedience, especially when it threatens the spiritual integrity of His people. This righteous anger underscores the seriousness of idolatry and the necessity of undivided loyalty to the one true God, demonstrating that God takes His covenant promises and warnings very seriously.

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
Solomon's tragic failure, despite his initial wisdom and divine favor, powerfully highlights the need for a perfect King, one whose heart would never turn from the LORD. Solomon, the son of David, was meant to be a faithful steward of God's covenant, but his divided heart and idolatry ultimately led to the division of his kingdom. This narrative points forward to Jesus Christ, the greater Son of David ([Matthew 1:1](/matthew/1-1 "Matthew 1:1 - Genealogy of Jesus")), who perfectly fulfills the role of the ideal King. Unlike Solomon, whose heart was "turned from the LORD," Jesus lived a life of absolute, unwavering obedience and undivided devotion to His Father ([John 8:29](/john/8-29 "John 8:29 - Jesus Always Pleases the Father")). He never compromised with the world's temptations or allowed His affections to stray. His perfect faithfulness, even unto death on the cross ([Philippians 2:8](/philippians/2-8 "Philippians 2:8 - Christ's Obedience to Death")), establishes an everlasting covenant and an unbreakable kingdom. Solomon's failure reminds us that no human king, no matter how wise or blessed, can perfectly lead God's people or maintain a perfect heart. Only Christ, our true King and High Priest, possesses the flawless heart and unwavering loyalty necessary to fully reconcile humanity to God and secure an eternal inheritance for all who trust in Him ([Hebrews 4:15](/hebrews/4-15 "Hebrews 4:15 - Our High Priest Understands")).

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 3:5

¶ In Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee.

1 Kings 9:2

That the LORD appeared to Solomon the second time, as he had appeared unto him at Gibeon.

Deuteronomy 9:20

And the LORD was very angry with Aaron to have destroyed him: and I prayed for Aaron also the same time.

Deuteronomy 9:8

Also in Horeb ye provoked the LORD to wrath, so that the LORD was angry with you to have destroyed you.

Numbers 12:9

And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed.

Deuteronomy 3:26

But the LORD was wroth with me for your sakes, and would not hear me: and the LORD said unto me, Let it suffice thee; speak no more unto me of this matter.

2 Samuel 6:7

And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Uzzah; and God smote him there for [his] error; and there he died by the ark of God.