For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.

1 KINGS 11:4KJV
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1 Kings 11:4 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 11:4 mean?

1 Kings 11:4 describes a change in Solomon’s loyalty to the LORD in his old age. His wives led him toward the worship of other gods, and the narrator contrasts Solomon’s divided loyalty with the devotion of his father David.

The verse speaks of Solomon’s “heart” being turned away. In this setting, the heart is the center of a person’s choices and loyalties, not merely the place of feelings. The image portrays a change in direction that affected whom Solomon worshipped.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 11:4

  • “heart” — לֵבָב (levav): This word can refer to a person’s inner life, including thoughts and decisions. Here it points to Solomon’s allegiance, not simply to a change in his emotions.
  • “perfect” — שָׁלֵם (shalem): This word carries the sense of being whole or complete. In this verse, it describes the fullness of Solomon’s loyalty to the LORD.

Why 1 Kings 11:4 matters

  • The comparison with David concerns loyalty to the LORD, rather than a claim that David never did wrong. The verse measures Solomon’s “heart” against “the heart of David his father.”
  • Solomon’s turn had visible consequences, not just private thoughts. The following verses name gods Solomon followed and describe places he built for their worship.
  • The verse places the change late in Solomon’s life. The words “when Solomon was old” mark the point at which his wives turned his heart toward other gods.

Where else these words appear

“old” Hebrew H2209 · used in 6 verses

  • Genesis 24:36 And Sarah my master's wife bare a son to my master when she was old: and unto him hath he given all that he hath.
  • 1 Kings 15:23 The rest of all the acts of Asa, and all his might, and all that he did, and the cities which he built, are they not written in the book of the chronicles of the kings of Judah? Nevertheless in the time of his old age he was diseased in his feet.
  • Psalms 71:18 Now also when I am old and grayheaded, O God, forsake me not; until I have shewed thy strength unto this generation, and thy power to every one that is to come.

“perfect” Hebrew H8003 · used in 26 verses

  • Genesis 15:16 But in the fourth generation they shall come hither again: for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet full.
  • 1 Kings 15:3 And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father.
  • 2 Chronicles 15:17 But the high places were not taken away out of Israel: nevertheless the heart of Asa was perfect all his days.