1 Kings 9:6

KJV

[But] if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments [and] my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them:

KJV (with Strong's)

But if ye shall at all {H7725} turn {H7725} from following {H310} me, ye or your children {H1121}, and will not keep {H8104} my commandments {H4687} and my statutes {H2708} which I have set {H5414} before {H6440} you, but go {H1980} and serve {H5647} other {H312} gods {H430}, and worship {H7812} them:

Complete Jewish Bible

But if you turn away from following me, you or your children, and do not observe my mitzvot and regulations which I have set before you, and go and serve other gods, worshipping them;

Berean Standard Bible

But if indeed you or your sons turn away from following Me and do not keep the commandments and statutes I have set before you, and if you go off to serve and worship other gods,

American Standard Version

But if ye shall turn away from following me, ye or your children, and not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;

Commentary

### SUMMARY
This verse presents a solemn divine warning delivered by God to King Solomon, extending its implications to all future generations of Israel. It explicitly outlines the severe consequences—the forfeiture of the promised land and the destruction of the Temple—should the people, or their descendants, abandon their covenant fidelity by turning away from the Lord's commandments and statutes to serve and worship other gods. It underscores the conditional nature of God's covenant blessings, emphasizing that Israel's continued prosperity and presence in the land were directly contingent upon their unwavering obedience and exclusive devotion to Yahweh.

### CONTEXT
* **Literary Context:** This pronouncement in 1 Kings 9:6 immediately follows God's second significant appearance to King Solomon, occurring after the magnificent dedication of the Temple in Jerusalem. God has just reaffirmed His commitment to Solomon and the Davidic dynasty, promising an enduring kingdom if Solomon walks in integrity and uprightness, keeping God's statutes and judgments, as David his father did [1 Kings 9:4-5](/1_kings/9-4 "1 Kings 9:4-5 - God's Promise to Solomon"). The stark warning of verse 6 thus serves as a critical counterpoint to the preceding promises, establishing the non-negotiable condition for the continuation of those blessings. It sets a crucial tension within the narrative, foreshadowing the challenges to Israel's faithfulness that would define much of its subsequent history.
* **Historical & Cultural Context:** The warning in 1 Kings 9:6 is deeply rooted in the foundational covenant established at Mount Sinai, particularly as articulated in the book of Deuteronomy. The Mosaic Covenant, which governed Israel's relationship with Yahweh, explicitly tied the nation's well-being, security, and continued habitation in the promised land to their obedience to God's laws [Deuteronomy 28](/deuteronomy/28 "Deuteronomy 28 - Blessings and Curses"). Conversely, apostasy and idolatry were consistently identified as the primary violations that would lead to divine judgment, including exile from the land. In Solomon's era, Israel was surrounded by nations practicing polytheism and various forms of idolatry, making the temptation to syncretism or outright apostasy a constant threat. God's warning here reaffirms the unique, exclusive nature of His covenant with Israel, demanding singular devotion in a multi-deity world.
* **Key Themes:** This verse powerfully contributes to several overarching themes within 1 Kings and the broader Deuteronomistic History. Firstly, it highlights **Covenant Fidelity and Obedience**, emphasizing that God's blessings and the continuation of the Davidic kingdom are directly contingent upon Israel's ongoing adherence to His commandments and statutes. Secondly, it underscores the profound **Danger of Idolatry**, presenting the serving and worshipping of "other gods" as the ultimate act of betrayal against the Lord, a sin that directly violates the first two commandments of the Decalogue [Exodus 20:3-6](/exodus/20-3 "Exodus 20:3-6 - The First Two Commandments"). Thirdly, the warning extends beyond Solomon to "ye or your children," illustrating the significant **Generational Impact** of spiritual choices, where the faithfulness or unfaithfulness of one generation profoundly affects the destiny of future generations [Psalm 78:4-8](/psalm/78-4 "Psalm 78:4-8 - Teaching Future Generations"). Finally, the verse clearly demonstrates **God's Justice and Holiness**, revealing His unwavering commitment to His own righteous character and His just response to rebellion and unfaithfulness within the covenant relationship.

### EXPOSITION AND ANALYSIS
#### Key Word Analysis
* **Turn (Hebrew, _sûr_):** This verb (סוּר) signifies to "depart," "deviate," "turn aside," or "remove." In this context, it denotes a deliberate and decisive act of apostasy—a conscious turning away from the path God has set for His people. It implies a rejection of the covenant relationship and the obligations it entails, moving from a state of following God to actively abandoning Him.
* **Commandments and Statutes (Hebrew, _miṣwōṯ wəḥuqqōṯ_):** These terms (מִצְוֹת וְחֻקּוֹת) refer to the comprehensive body of divine law given to Israel through Moses. "Commandments" (_miṣwōṯ_) generally denotes specific divine instructions or precepts, while "statutes" (_ḥuqqōṯ_) often refers to established ordinances, decrees, or fixed regulations, often with a sense of being "engraved" or permanently set. Together, they encompass the entire ethical, moral, and cultic framework of the Mosaic Covenant, representing the full scope of God's revealed will for His people.
* **Serve other gods, and worship them (Hebrew, _ʿābaḏ ʾĕlōhîm ʾăḥērîm wəhištaḥăwîṯem lāhem_):** This phrase (עָבַד אֱלֹהִים אֲחֵרִים וְהִשְׁתַּחֲוִיתֶם לָהֶם) is a direct and forceful articulation of idolatry. "Serve" (_ʿābaḏ_) implies active devotion, allegiance, and practical commitment, often involving ritual service. "Worship" (_hištaḥăwîṯem_) refers to the act of prostration or bowing down, signifying reverence, adoration, and submission. The combination emphasizes both the internal disposition and the external acts of devotion directed towards deities other than Yahweh, which was the ultimate breach of the covenant and the gravest sin for Israel.

#### Verse Breakdown
* **"[But] if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children,**": This opening clause establishes the conditional nature of the warning ("if"). The phrase "at all turn" uses an infinitive absolute construction in Hebrew, which intensifies the verb "turn," emphasizing the certainty and gravity of such a departure. The warning is explicitly directed not only at Solomon and his contemporaries ("ye") but also at "your children," highlighting the generational scope of covenant responsibility and the long-term implications of spiritual choices.
* **and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you,**: This specifies the nature of the "turning away" – it is characterized by a failure to "keep" (i.e., observe, obey, guard) God's divine laws. These "commandments and statutes" are those "set before" Israel, implying they are clearly revealed, accessible, and binding. This clause underscores that passive neglect or active disobedience to the revealed will of God constitutes a turning away from Him.
* **but go and serve other gods, and worship them:** This final clause describes the ultimate and most egregious form of turning away: active engagement in idolatry. It is not merely a failure to obey God but a deliberate choice to "go" (implying a journey or commitment) and devote oneself to foreign deities. The twin verbs "serve" and "worship" comprehensively define the act of idolatry, encompassing both practical allegiance and ritual adoration, directly violating the very essence of Israel's covenant with Yahweh, which demanded exclusive worship.

#### Literary Devices
The passage employs several potent literary devices to convey its grave warning. The most prominent is **Conditional Clause**, structured with an "if...then" logic, even though the "then" (the consequences) is elaborated in the subsequent verses [1 Kings 9:7-9](/1_kings/9-7 "1 Kings 9:7-9 - Consequences of Disobedience"). This structure highlights the direct cause-and-effect relationship between Israel's obedience and their destiny. There is also a strong element of **Antithesis**, contrasting the path of "following me" and "keeping my commandments" with the destructive alternative of "serving other gods, and worshipping them." This stark opposition emphasizes the mutually exclusive nature of devotion to Yahweh versus idolatry. The **Repetition** of the phrase "serve other gods, and worship them" serves to underscore the specific and heinous nature of the sin being warned against, reinforcing its severity and the clarity of the prohibition. Finally, the warning itself functions as **Foreshadowing**, tragically predicting the future apostasy of both Solomon himself [1 Kings 11:4-8](/1_kings/11-4 "1 Kings 11:4-8 - Solomon's Idolatry") and the nation of Israel, which would ultimately lead to the division of the kingdom and later, the Babylonian exile.

### THEOLOGICAL AND THEMATIC CONNECTIONS
1 Kings 9:6 serves as a pivotal theological statement, articulating God's unwavering commitment to His covenant and His absolute demand for exclusive worship. It reveals that while God's promises are steadfast, their fulfillment for the human recipient is often contingent upon faithfulness. This verse echoes the consistent biblical theme that true prosperity and security for God's people are found not in military might or political alliances, but in wholehearted devotion to Him and obedience to His revealed will. The warning against idolatry is not merely about external rituals but about the heart's ultimate allegiance, reminding us that anything that displaces God from the center of our lives becomes an "other god." This principle remains timeless, challenging believers to examine where their ultimate trust and devotion truly lie.

* [Deuteronomy 28:15](/deuteronomy/28-15 "Deuteronomy 28:15 - Curses for Disobedience")
* [Joshua 23:15-16](/joshua/23-15 "Joshua 23:15-16 - Joshua's Warning of Consequences")
* [Jeremiah 7:23-24](/jeremiah/7-23 "Jeremiah 7:23-24 - Israel's Persistent Disobedience")

### REFLECTION AND APPLICATION
The solemn warning in 1 Kings 9:6, though delivered to an ancient king and nation, resonates powerfully with believers today. It calls us to a profound spiritual vigilance, recognizing that the human heart is perpetually prone to wander and find its security or satisfaction in things other than God. While we live under a new covenant of grace, the principle of exclusive devotion to God alone remains paramount. Modern "other gods" may not be carved idols but can manifest as materialism, the pursuit of power, self-worship, unchecked ambition, or even the subtle elevation of good things (family, career, comfort) above the Creator. This verse challenges us to regularly examine our allegiances, ensuring that our lives are characterized by a genuine "following" of God and a diligent "keeping" of His Word. Furthermore, the generational aspect of the warning implores us to consider our spiritual legacy, recognizing our profound responsibility to nurture faith in the next generation, teaching them to love and obey the Lord above all else, thereby safeguarding them from the subtle and overt temptations of idolatry in their own time.

#### Questions for Reflection
* **In what subtle or overt ways might "other gods" compete for my allegiance in contemporary life?**
* **What practical steps can I take to ensure my daily life reflects an unwavering devotion solely to God?**
* **How can I actively contribute to passing on a legacy of faithful obedience and exclusive worship of God to the next generation in my family or community?**

### FAQ
**What are the "commandments and statutes" mentioned in this verse?**

Answer: The "commandments and statutes" refer to the comprehensive body of divine law that God gave to Israel through Moses, forming the core of the Mosaic Covenant. This includes the Ten Commandments [Exodus 20:1-17](/exodus/20-1 "Exodus 20:1-17 - The Ten Commandments"), as well as the detailed civil, ceremonial, and moral laws found throughout the books of Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. These laws were not merely arbitrary rules but were designed to shape Israel into a distinct, holy nation that reflected God's character and enjoyed His blessings in the promised land, provided they remained faithful to the covenant terms [Deuteronomy 6:1-3](/deuteronomy/6-1 "Deuteronomy 6:1-3 - Obedience for Prosperity").

**Did King Solomon himself heed this warning, or did he fall into the very sin described?**

Answer: Tragically, King Solomon did not fully heed this solemn warning. Despite his initial wisdom and devotion, he later turned his heart away from the Lord. As recorded in [1 Kings 11:4](/1_kings/11-4 "1 Kings 11:4 - Solomon's Heart Turns Away"), "when Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father." He built high places for foreign deities, including Chemosh and Molech, for his foreign wives [1 Kings 11:7-8](/1_kings/11-7 "1 Kings 11:7-8 - Solomon Builds High Places"). This disobedience directly led to God's judgment, resulting in the division of the kingdom after Solomon's reign, fulfilling the very consequences warned about in [1 Kings 9:6-9](/1_kings/9-6 "1 Kings 9:6-9 - Warning and Consequences").

### CHRIST-CENTERED FULFILLMENT
The warning in 1 Kings 9:6, highlighting humanity's inherent struggle with obedience and the devastating consequences of idolatry, finds its ultimate fulfillment and resolution in Jesus Christ. The conditional nature of the Old Covenant, where blessings were contingent upon perfect human obedience, starkly reveals the inability of Israel, and indeed all humanity, to consistently keep God's commandments and statutes. This verse, therefore, implicitly points to the need for a perfect obedience that fallen humanity could not provide. Jesus, the true and greater Son of David, perfectly fulfilled the Law and the Prophets, living a life of absolute fidelity to God's will, never turning from following Him, and never serving or worshipping other gods [Matthew 5:17](/matthew/5-17 "Matthew 5:17 - Jesus Fulfills the Law"). His perfect obedience, culminating in His sacrificial death, addresses the very failure warned against in 1 Kings 9:6, providing atonement for the idolatry and disobedience of humanity. Through His new covenant, established by His blood, believers are not called to earn salvation through perfect law-keeping, but to receive it by grace through faith [Ephesians 2:8-9](/ephesians/2-8 "Ephesians 2:8-9 - Salvation by Grace Through Faith"). In Christ, the Spirit is given, enabling a transformed heart that desires to follow God and keep His commandments, not out of fear of judgment, but out of love and gratitude, fulfilling the spirit of the law from within [Hebrews 8:10](/hebrews/8-10 "Hebrews 8:10 - The New Covenant Written on Hearts"); [John 14:15](/john/14-15 "John 14:15 - If You Love Me, Keep My Commandments"). Thus, what Israel failed to achieve under the Old Covenant is perfectly accomplished and graciously provided for all who are in Christ, securing an eternal kingdom far more enduring than any earthly dynasty.

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 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.

2 Samuel 7:14

I will be his father, and he shall be my son. If he commit iniquity, I will chasten him with the rod of men, and with the stripes of the children of men:

2 Samuel 7:16

And thine house and thy kingdom shall be established for ever before thee: thy throne shall be established for ever.

2 Chronicles 7:19

But if ye turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;

2 Chronicles 7:22

And it shall be answered, Because they forsook the LORD God of their fathers, which brought them forth out of the land of Egypt, and laid hold on other gods, and worshipped them, and served them: therefore hath he brought all this evil upon them.

Psalms 89:30

If his children forsake my law, and walk not in my judgments;

Joshua 23:15

Therefore it shall come to pass, [that] as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you.