1 kings 11:33 - because that they have forsaken me, and have worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon. They have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in my eyes, and to keep my statutes and my ordinances, as David his father did.
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What does "1 kings 11:33" mean?
This verse, 1 Kings 11:33, is a powerful indictment of King Solomon's sin and a justification for the upcoming division of the kingdom of Israel after his death. Let's break it down:
"Because that they have forsaken me...": This is the core reason for God's anger. "Forsaken" implies abandonment and betrayal. The people of Israel, led by Solomon, have turned away from their exclusive covenant relationship with God. They have broken their promise to worship only Him.
"...and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon.": This lists specific foreign deities that Solomon and the people have started worshipping. This is a direct violation of the Ten Commandments and numerous other divine commands against idolatry. Each god is associated with a particular neighboring nation:
Ashtoreth (also known as Astarte): The chief goddess of the Sidonians (Phoenicians), often associated with fertility, love, and war.
Chemosh: The national god of Moab, often associated with war and human sacrifice.
Milcom (also known as Molech): The god of the Ammonites, notorious for child sacrifice.
The specific mention of these gods highlights the extent of Solomon's deviation. He is not just worshipping any foreign god, but is embracing the principal deities of the surrounding nations, some of which were known for particularly abhorrent practices.
"They have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in my eyes, and to keep my statutes and my ordinances...": This emphasizes the comprehensive nature of their disobedience. It's not just about idol worship; they have abandoned God's entire moral code. "Statutes" and "ordinances" refer to God's laws and decrees that govern their lives. They are not behaving righteously or justly, as defined by God.
"...as David his father did.": This is a stark contrast. David, Solomon's father, is presented as a model of faithfulness (though he was far from perfect). While David made mistakes, his heart was generally devoted to God, and he consistently sought to follow God's will. Solomon, in this context, is failing to live up to his father's example of obedience. This contrast makes Solomon's sin even more egregious, because he comes from a legacy of faithfulness.
In Summary:
This verse explains God's judgment on Solomon and Israel. They have rejected God's exclusive claim to their worship, embraced foreign gods and their practices, and abandoned God's laws. They have broken their covenant relationship with God and have not behaved righteously. The comparison to David highlights the extent of Solomon's failure. This sets the stage for the consequences to come, which will include the division of the kingdom. The verse highlights the importance of faithfulness, obedience, and rejecting idolatry in the covenant relationship with God.
1 kings 11:33 - because that they have forsaken me, and have worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon. They have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in my eyes, and to keep my statutes and my ordinances, as David his father did.
What does "1 kings 11:33" mean?
This verse, 1 Kings 11:33, is a powerful indictment of King Solomon's sin and a justification for the upcoming division of the kingdom of Israel after his death. Let's break it down:
"Because that they have forsaken me...": This is the core reason for God's anger. "Forsaken" implies abandonment and betrayal. The people of Israel, led by Solomon, have turned away from their exclusive covenant relationship with God. They have broken their promise to worship only Him.
"...and have worshipped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, Chemosh the god of Moab, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon.": This lists specific foreign deities that Solomon and the people have started worshipping. This is a direct violation of the Ten Commandments and numerous other divine commands against idolatry. Each god is associated with a particular neighboring nation:
Ashtoreth (also known as Astarte): The chief goddess of the Sidonians (Phoenicians), often associated with fertility, love, and war.
Chemosh: The national god of Moab, often associated with war and human sacrifice.
Milcom (also known as Molech): The god of the Ammonites, notorious for child sacrifice.
The specific mention of these gods highlights the extent of Solomon's deviation. He is not just worshipping any foreign god, but is embracing the principal deities of the surrounding nations, some of which were known for particularly abhorrent practices.
"They have not walked in my ways, to do that which is right in my eyes, and to keep my statutes and my ordinances...": This emphasizes the comprehensive nature of their disobedience. It's not just about idol worship; they have abandoned God's entire moral code. "Statutes" and "ordinances" refer to God's laws and decrees that govern their lives. They are not behaving righteously or justly, as defined by God.
"...as David his father did.": This is a stark contrast. David, Solomon's father, is presented as a model of faithfulness (though he was far from perfect). While David made mistakes, his heart was generally devoted to God, and he consistently sought to follow God's will. Solomon, in this context, is failing to live up to his father's example of obedience. This contrast makes Solomon's sin even more egregious, because he comes from a legacy of faithfulness.
In Summary:
This verse explains God's judgment on Solomon and Israel. They have rejected God's exclusive claim to their worship, embraced foreign gods and their practices, and abandoned God's laws. They have broken their covenant relationship with God and have not behaved righteously. The comparison to David highlights the extent of Solomon's failure. This sets the stage for the consequences to come, which will include the division of the kingdom. The verse highlights the importance of faithfulness, obedience, and rejecting idolatry in the covenant relationship with God.