1 Kings 14:24

And there were also sodomites in the land: [and] they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel.

And there were also sodomites {H6945} in the land {H776}: and they did {H6213} according to all the abominations {H8441} of the nations {H1471} which the LORD {H3068} cast out {H3423} before {H6440} the children {H1121} of Israel {H3478}.

Also there were male and female cult-prostitutes in the land attached to these shrines, doing all the disgusting things which the nations did that ADONAI had expelled ahead of the people of Isra'el.

There were even male shrine prostitutes in the land. They imitated all the abominations of the nations the LORD had driven out before the Israelites.

and there were also sodomites in the land: they did according to all the abominations of the nations which Jehovah drove out before the children of Israel.

Commentary

1 Kings 14:24 highlights the severe spiritual and moral degradation in the kingdom of Judah during the reign of King Rehoboam, son of Solomon. This verse serves as a stark indictment of the nation's departure from God's covenant and laws, echoing the very sins that led to the downfall of previous inhabitants of the land.

Context

This verse is found within a broader narrative detailing the spiritual decline of Judah after the death of King Solomon. While Solomon himself had introduced idolatry through his foreign wives (1 Kings 11:1-8), his son Rehoboam continued this trend, leading the nation further into apostasy. The preceding verses (1 Kings 14:22-23) describe Judah's widespread idolatry, including the erection of high places, images, and Asherah poles. Verse 24 adds a specific and particularly grievous dimension to this moral decay.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Profound Moral Corruption: The presence of "sodomites" (KJV) indicates a deep-seated perversion within the land. This was not merely social degeneracy but a religious practice tied to pagan worship, involving male cult prostitutes. Their existence signified a complete abandonment of God's holy standards.
  • Repetition of Past Sins: The phrase "they did according to all the abominations of the nations which the LORD cast out before the children of Israel" is crucial. It underscores that Judah was now engaging in the very detestable practices that God had judged the Canaanite nations for (Leviticus 18:24-30, Deuteronomy 18:9-12). This historical parallel served as a grave warning of impending judgment for Judah.
  • Consequences of Apostasy: The verse highlights the inevitable outcome when a nation turns from the Living God to embrace idolatry and its accompanying immoralities. Such behavior alienates them from God's favor and invites His righteous judgment, as seen in the subsequent invasion by Shishak king of Egypt (1 Kings 14:25-26).

Linguistic Insights

The KJV term "sodomites" translates the Hebrew word qadesh (ืงึธื“ึตืฉื), which literally means "holy one" or "consecrated one." However, it is used ironically or euphemistically in this context to refer to male cult prostitutes. These individuals were consecrated to pagan deities and participated in ritualistic sexual acts within the pagan temples as part of fertility cults. This practice was a direct violation of God's law and a profound defilement of the land. Itโ€™s distinct from the sexual acts in Genesis 19, though the KJV choice of "sodomites" links them conceptually through the severity of their abomination.

Practical Application

This verse serves as a timeless warning against the dangers of spiritual syncretism and moral compromise. For believers today, it emphasizes:

  • The Call to Holiness: God's people are called to be set apart from the world's corrupt practices and to live according to His standards, not the standards of surrounding cultures (1 Peter 1:15-16).
  • The Slippery Slope of Idolatry: Idolatry is not just worshipping statues; it can be anything that takes God's rightful place in our hearts. When we prioritize anything above Him, it often leads to a decline in moral and ethical conduct.
  • Consequences of Disobedience: While God is merciful, there are indeed consequences for persistent disobedience and rebellion against His revealed will. The historical accounts in the Old Testament serve as examples for us (1 Corinthians 10:6-11).
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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

  • Deuteronomy 23:17 (7 votes)

    There shall be no whore of the daughters of Israel, nor a sodomite of the sons of Israel.

  • 1 Corinthians 6:9 (5 votes)

    ยถ Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

  • 1 Kings 15:12 (5 votes)

    And he took away the sodomites out of the land, and removed all the idols that his fathers had made.

  • 2 Kings 23:7 (5 votes)

    And he brake down the houses of the sodomites, that [were] by the house of the LORD, where the women wove hangings for the grove.

  • Genesis 19:5 (4 votes)

    And they called unto Lot, and said unto him, Where [are] the men which came in to thee this night? bring them out unto us, that we may know them.

  • 1 Kings 22:46 (4 votes)

    And the remnant of the sodomites, which remained in the days of his father Asa, he took out of the land.

  • Romans 1:24 (3 votes)

    Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: