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Book of 1 Kings - Chapter 11 - Verse 6

11:6
And Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father.

Meaning

When the Bible says that Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD and did not follow Him fully like his father David, it is referring to the fact that Solomon allowed idolatry to enter into Israel during his reign. Despite being chosen by God to build the temple in Jerusalem and being granted wisdom and wealth, Solomon made the mistake of marrying foreign women who led him astray to worship other gods. As a result, Solomon built high places for these foreign gods, which angered the LORD. Although Solomon started his reign with great wisdom and devotion to God, he eventually turned away from the LORD due to his many pagan wives and the influence they had on him. This verse serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of staying faithful to God and not allowing worldly distractions to lead us away from Him.

Theological Overview

Here, in 1 Kings 11:6, the theological interpretation of Solomon's actions is significant. The verse highlights the notion that Solomon, despite his wisdom and prosperity, allowed himself to be led astray by his many wives and concubines who worshipped other gods. This is in stark contrast to his father, David, who stayed faithful to the Lord throughout his reign. The term "fully after the LORD" emphasizes the idea that Solomon's devotion was not wholehearted or sincere, leading to his eventual downfall. The word "evil" in this context reflects the grave nature of Solomon's disobedience and departure from God's commands. Through word studies, we can see that the use of "evil" conveys a sense of moral depravity and corruption in contrast to the righteousness exemplified by David. Overall, this verse serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of compromising one's faith and straying from the path of righteousness.

American Standard Version

And Solomon did that which was evil in the sight of Jehovah, and went not fully after Jehovah, as did David his father.
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