UASV’s Daily Devotional All Things Bible, Tuesday, April 15, 2025

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How Did Solomon Turn Away from Jehovah, and What Warnings Does His Fall Give to God’s People Today?

A Study of 1 Kings 11:4, 6 and the Tragic Decline of a Once-Faithful King

1 Kings 11:4, 6 records the sobering spiritual downfall of King Solomon, whose early reign was marked by wisdom, prosperity, and faithfulness to Jehovah. These verses read:
“For when Solomon was old, his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to Jehovah his God, as was the heart of David his father… So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah and did not wholly follow Jehovah, as David his father had done.”
These statements are not incidental—they form the inspired verdict on Solomon’s later life, marking a tragic departure from the pattern of devotion and obedience expected of Israel’s king. The gravity of these verses lies not only in their historical context but in their theological weight. They provide a warning to all who may begin well, yet drift over time through compromise, pride, and divided loyalties.

Solomon, son of David and king over the united kingdom of Israel, began his reign with extraordinary favor from God. In 1 Kings 3:9, Solomon asked Jehovah for wisdom, and in verse 10, it says, “It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this.” God granted him not only wisdom but riches and honor unmatched in his time (1 Kings 3:12–13). His rule brought peace, architectural beauty, and international acclaim. Most notably, he was chosen to build the temple of Jehovah in Jerusalem—a work his father David had desired to do but was prohibited from completing (2 Samuel 7:1–13; 1 Kings 6). At the dedication of the temple, Solomon offered an elaborate prayer of reverence and covenant faithfulness (1 Kings 8), and Jehovah appeared to him personally on two occasions to confirm the covenant (1 Kings 3:5; 9:2). By every outward measure, Solomon’s life was marked by blessing and divine approval.

Yet 1 Kings 11 begins with a sharp and disturbing shift: “Now King Solomon loved many foreign women…” (1 Kings 11:1). The inspired writer makes clear that this was not merely a political alliance strategy, but an act of direct disobedience to the command of Jehovah. Verse 2 reminds the reader, “from the nations concerning which Jehovah had said to the people of Israel, ‘You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.’” This divine warning, drawn from Deuteronomy 7:3–4, had been clear, public, and unambiguous. The issue was not ethnicity—it was idolatry. Solomon’s marriages were not neutral; they were spiritually dangerous alliances that introduced the worship of false gods into his heart and into the life of the nation.

By the time we arrive at 1 Kings 11:4, the prophecy is fulfilled: “his heart was not wholly true to Jehovah his God.” This phrase, “not wholly true,” indicates a divided heart—a spiritual condition of compromise and duplicity. Solomon did not immediately abandon Jehovah altogether. He did not cease to acknowledge the true God. But his devotion was no longer exclusive, no longer pure, no longer obedient. The Hebrew phrase here—לֹא הָיָה לְבָבוֹ שָׁלֵם עִם יְהוָה—literally says his heart was not “complete” or “undivided” with Jehovah. The standard for kings was not partial loyalty, but complete fidelity. Jehovah demands all of the heart, not a portion. Deuteronomy 6:5 says, “You shall love Jehovah your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might.” Solomon failed in this.

The next statement, verse 6, confirms the seriousness of Solomon’s failure: “So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of Jehovah and did not wholly follow Jehovah, as David his father had done.” This judgment is not based on outward appearance or political performance—it is based on divine evaluation. Jehovah sees the heart. The phrase “did what was evil” (וַיַּעַשׂ שְׁלוֹמֹה הָרַע), when used in the historical books, always reflects moral and spiritual rebellion, particularly in the area of idolatry. Solomon’s sin was not merely personal. As the king, his apostasy had national consequences. He introduced idolatry into Israel at the highest level of leadership, constructing altars and shrines for false gods such as Chemosh and Molech (1 Kings 11:7–8). These acts not only violated the covenant but began the pattern of religious corruption that would plague Israel and Judah for centuries.

Solomon’s heart was turned by his wives, but the responsibility lies entirely with him. Though influenced, he chose to disobey. He tolerated and participated in practices that Jehovah had clearly forbidden. His wisdom did not prevent his fall—because wisdom not acted upon becomes useless. As Ecclesiastes 2:9 records, Solomon himself said, “My wisdom remained with me.” But possessing wisdom and obeying it are not the same. Solomon knew better, but he allowed his affections and political ambitions to override his allegiance to God.

The comparison to David is repeated in both verses—“as was the heart of David his father,” and “as David his father had done.” This comparison is not because David was sinless. Scripture records David’s grievous sins, including his adultery with Bathsheba and the orchestrated death of her husband Uriah (2 Samuel 11). However, David never turned to idols. His heart remained loyal to Jehovah, and he repented when confronted. His obedience was marked by a wholehearted desire to please God, and that integrity of heart is what distinguished him from Solomon’s later divided devotion. As 1 Kings 15:5 says, “David did what was right in the eyes of Jehovah and did not turn aside from anything that he commanded him all the days of his life, except in the matter of Uriah the Hittite.”

Solomon’s fall should not be dismissed as an isolated event in history. It stands as a clear and enduring warning to all of God’s people—especially to those who have received much. Solomon’s spiritual privileges were extraordinary. He saw visions of God, received divine promises, wrote inspired Scripture, and was entrusted with building the temple. Yet he fell. This proves that spiritual success in the past does not guarantee faithfulness in the future. The heart must be guarded daily. As Proverbs 4:23 wisely instructs, “Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.”

It is also a reminder that age does not automatically bring spiritual maturity. 1 Kings 11:4 says, “when Solomon was old…” His apostasy came later in life, after years of blessing and service. This exposes the error of assuming that age equals wisdom. Spiritual vigilance is needed until the very end. No one is immune to temptation, and spiritual decline can happen gradually through compromise, pride, and misplaced affections. The fall of Solomon is proof that it is possible to begin well, even gloriously, and end in disgrace and rebellion.

The consequences of Solomon’s sin were severe. Jehovah announced that the kingdom would be torn from Solomon’s line—though not in his lifetime, for the sake of David (1 Kings 11:11–13). The divided kingdom, beginning with Rehoboam and Jeroboam, would bring ongoing strife and idolatry. The idolatrous places Solomon built were not immediately removed and would continue to lead Israel into sin for generations. His spiritual compromise had enduring effects—not just on his soul, but on the nation he led.

In conclusion, 1 Kings 11:4, 6 is not merely a historical record—it is a divine warning. It shows that spiritual decline begins in the heart, often long before it is visible. It teaches that wisdom, blessing, and even past obedience do not shield one from falling if the heart becomes divided. It reminds us that God requires wholehearted devotion and that compromise, even when culturally or politically convenient, is sin. Solomon, a man once beloved and exalted, ended his reign doing evil in the sight of Jehovah because he did not remain faithful. Let every believer take heed to the words of 1 Corinthians 10:12: “Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall.”

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About the Author

EDWARD D. ANDREWS (AS in Criminal Justice, BS in Religion, MA in Biblical Studies, and MDiv in Theology) is CEO and President of Christian Publishing House. He has authored over 220+ books. In addition, Andrews is the Chief Translator of the Updated American Standard Version (UASV).