Bible Commentary

And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods. 8. and likewise did he for all his strange wives ] i.e. For such of them as desired a special place for their worship. Ashtoreth, Chemosh and Moloch would suffice for the greater number, but we know of … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 11:8”

Then did Solomon build a 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. 7. a high place ] That ‘high places’ were not abolished in Solomon’s time we can see from 1Ki 3:2-3, where see notes. The idea … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 11:7”

And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as [did] David his father. 1Ki 11:6 Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord. Solomon the brilliant failure The character of Solomon is unique–one of the loftiest and saddest of the sacred volume. Grand in its … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 11:6”

For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 5. Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians ] Ashtoreth was the chief female divinity of the Phnicians, as Baal was their chief male deity. As Baal has been identified with the sun, so Ashtoreth has by some … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 11:5”

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. 4. when Solomon was old ] At least half of the king’s reign was over before the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 11:4”

And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. 3. seven hundred wives, princesses ] The numbers in this verse are far in excess of those in the Song of Solomon, which makes mention (1Ki 6:8) of threescore queens. But from the instances known of other … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 11:3”

Of the nations [concerning] which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: [for] surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon cleaved unto these in love. 2. of the nations concerning which the Lord said ] The … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 11:2”

But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, [and] Hittites; Chap. 1Ki 11:1-8. Strange wives turn away Solomon’s heart (Not in Chronicles) 1. Solomon loved many strange women ] Where polygamy was common there would be a great temptation to a powerful king … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 11:1”

And a chariot came up and went out of Egypt for six hundred [shekels] of silver, and a horse for a hundred and fifty: and so for all the kings of the Hittites, and for the kings of Syria, did they bring [them] out by their means. 29. And a chariot ] The word is … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 10:29”

And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt, and linen yarn: the king’s merchants received the linen yarn at a price. 28. And Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt ] The first clause of the verse ends here according to the Hebrew punctuation, and this appears to be a general statement, of which the … Continue reading “Exegetical and Hermeneutical Commentary of 1 Kings 10:28”