For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.

1 KINGS 11:5KJV
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1 Kings 11:5 (KJV)

What does 1 Kings 11:5 mean?

1 Kings 11:5 describes how King Solomon turned away from worshiping the God of Israel and began following other deities, specifically Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and Milcom, the god of the Ammonites, who is called an abomination. This verse highlights Solomon's involvement in foreign religious practices, which was seen as a serious wrongdoing in the context of Israel's faith.

The verse is part of a narrative where the biblical writer explains Solomon’s decline late in his reign. The focus is on Solomon’s personal choices, influenced by his marriages to foreign women, leading him to honor gods worshiped by neighboring peoples. The mention of Ashtoreth and Milcom points to specific pagan practices that were forbidden for Israelites, showing a clear break from the exclusive worship of the God of Israel.

The Hebrew behind 1 Kings 11:5

  • אשתרת (Ashtoreth, transliterated "Ashtoreth"): This name refers to a prominent goddess worshiped by the Sidonians. Her mention signals Solomon’s direct involvement with Canaanite religious customs, which were strongly discouraged in Israelite law.
  • מלכם (Milcom, transliterated "Milcom"): This word identifies the god of the Ammonites. The verse calls Milcom an "abomination" (תעבה, transliterated "toevah"), a term used in the Hebrew Bible for practices or objects considered especially offensive or detestable in Israelite religion.
  • אחרי (acharei, translated "after"): This word means "to follow after" or "to pursue," emphasizing an active choice by Solomon to seek out these foreign gods, not just a passive association.
  • אלהים (elohim, translated "goddess"): While אלהים (elohim) is often used for the God of Israel, here it refers to a foreign deity, showing the flexibility of the term in Hebrew and highlighting the seriousness of Solomon’s actions.

Why 1 Kings 11:5 matters

  • The verse clarifies that Solomon’s turning point was not just political alliances but a personal shift in religious loyalty, which the biblical writer sees as a root cause of later troubles in his reign.
  • Naming Ashtoreth and Milcom connects Solomon’s actions to specific neighboring cultures, helping readers understand the historical and religious context of his choices.
  • The verse sets up the explanation for the division of the kingdom after Solomon’s death, showing that his religious compromises had lasting consequences for Israel.

Where else these words appear

“Ashtoreth” Hebrew H6253 · used in 3 verses

  • 1 Kings 11:33 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.
  • 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 11:33 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.
  • 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,

“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.

“Ammonites” Hebrew H5984 · used in 18 verses

  • Deuteronomy 2:20 (That also was accounted a land of giants: giants dwelt therein in old time; and the Ammonites call them Zamzummims;
  • 1 Kings 11:1 But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;
  • Nehemiah 2:10 When Sanballat the Horonite, and Tobiah the servant, the Ammonite, heard of it, it grieved them exceedingly that there was come a man to seek the welfare of the children of Israel.