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.