Because that they have forsaken me, and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in mine eyes, and to keep my statutes and my judgments, as did David his father.

1 KINGS 11:33KJV
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1 Kings 11:33 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 11:33 mean?

1 Kings 11:33 explains that God is bringing judgment because the people have abandoned Him to worship other gods—specifically Ashtoreth, Chemosh, and Milcom—instead of following His ways and keeping His commands as David did. The verse lists these foreign gods and highlights the people's failure to do what is right in God's eyes.

In this verse, God is speaking about why He will take the kingdom away from Solomon’s line. The context is a message given through the prophet Ahijah to Jeroboam, explaining the reason for the coming split of Israel. The verse names the specific gods worshipped by neighboring peoples—the Zidonians, Moabites, and Ammonites—and contrasts their practices with the faithful example of David, Solomon’s father.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 11:33

  • עָזַב (ʿāzav, "forsaken"): This word means to leave or abandon. Here, it emphasizes a deliberate turning away from God, not just a passive neglect.
  • שָׁחָה (shāchah, "worshipped"): This word often means to bow down or show reverence. It highlights the physical act of worship, not just belief, showing the people’s active participation in idol worship.
  • אֲשְׁתֹּרֶת (Ashtoreth), כְּמוֹשׁ (Chemosh), מִלְכֹּם (Milcom): Naming these specific deities underlines the seriousness of the offense, as these were well-known gods of Israel’s neighbors, associated with practices forbidden in Israel.
  • דֶּרֶךְ (derekh, "ways"): This word means a path or manner of life. The verse contrasts walking in God’s "ways" with following the customs of other nations.

Why 1 Kings 11:33 matters

  • This verse clarifies that the division of the kingdom is not random or political but a direct result of turning away from God and adopting foreign religious practices.
  • By naming the specific gods and peoples, the verse shows the real-world influences that led Israel astray, making the warning concrete and relatable for its original audience.
  • The comparison to David highlights that faithfulness, not just lineage or position, is what God values, setting a standard for future kings and readers alike.

Where else these words appear

“Ashtoreth” Hebrew H6253 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Kings 11:5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
  • 2 Kings 23:13 And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile.

“Milcom” Hebrew H4445 · used in 4 verses

  • 1 Kings 11:5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
  • 2 Kings 23:13 And the high places that were before Jerusalem, which were on the right hand of the mount of corruption, which Solomon the king of Israel had builded for Ashtoreth the abomination of the Zidonians, and for Chemosh the abomination of the Moabites, and for Milcom the abomination of the children of Ammon, did the king defile.
  • 1 Chronicles 8:9 And he begat of Hodesh his wife, Jobab, and Zibia, and Mesha, and Malcham,

“Chemosh” Hebrew H3645 · used in 8 verses

  • Numbers 21:29 Woe to thee, Moab! thou art undone, O people of Chemosh: he hath given his sons that escaped, and his daughters, into captivity unto Sihon king of the Amorites.
  • 1 Kings 11:7 Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.
  • Jeremiah 48:7 For because thou hast trusted in thy works and in thy treasures, thou shalt also be taken: and Chemosh shall go forth into captivity with his priests and his princes together.

“Zidonians” Hebrew H6722 · used in 15 verses

  • Deuteronomy 3:9 ( Which Hermon the Sidonians call Sirion; and the Amorites call it Shenir;)
  • Judges 10:12 The Zidonians also, and the Amalekites, and the Maonites, did oppress you; and ye cried to me, and I delivered you out of their hand.
  • 1 Kings 16:31 And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him.