1 kings 11:5 - For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
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What does "1 kings 11:5" mean?
This verse from 1 Kings 11:5 is a condemnation of King Solomon's actions, specifically pointing to his worship of foreign deities. Let's break it down:
"For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians...": Ashtoreth (also known as Astarte) was a prominent goddess worshipped by the Sidonians (people of Sidon, a Phoenician city-state). She was often associated with fertility, love, and war. The phrase "went after" implies that Solomon engaged in the worship of Ashtoreth, likely by building temples or participating in rituals dedicated to her. This was a direct violation of the covenant between God and the Israelites, which forbade the worship of any other gods.
"...and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.": Milcom (also known as Molech) was the chief god of the Ammonites, a neighboring people. He was considered an "abomination" because his worship often involved horrific practices, including child sacrifice. Again, "went after" means Solomon participated in the worship of Milcom.
In summary, the verse means that King Solomon, despite his wisdom and divine favor, began to worship the gods of foreign nations, specifically Ashtoreth of the Sidonians and Milcom of the Ammonites. This act of idolatry was a grave sin and a betrayal of his covenant with God.
Context is Crucial:
This verse is part of a larger narrative (1 Kings 11:1-8) that explains how Solomon's many foreign wives led him astray. He built high places (shrines) for their gods, allowing the worship of these foreign deities to take root in Israel. This apostasy was a major turning point in Solomon's reign and ultimately led to the division of the kingdom after his death.
Why is this Significant?
Violation of Covenant: The most important aspect is that it breaks the covenant between God and Israel, which explicitly forbade the worship of other gods.
Moral Corruption: It shows a decline in Solomon's righteousness and wisdom. His heart was turned away from God.
Consequences: This idolatry had dire consequences for Solomon and the nation of Israel, leading to judgment and the eventual division of the kingdom.
The verse is a stark warning against the dangers of compromising one's faith and the importance of remaining faithful to God alone.
1 kings 11:5 - For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.
What does "1 kings 11:5" mean?
This verse from 1 Kings 11:5 is a condemnation of King Solomon's actions, specifically pointing to his worship of foreign deities. Let's break it down:
"For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians...": Ashtoreth (also known as Astarte) was a prominent goddess worshipped by the Sidonians (people of Sidon, a Phoenician city-state). She was often associated with fertility, love, and war. The phrase "went after" implies that Solomon engaged in the worship of Ashtoreth, likely by building temples or participating in rituals dedicated to her. This was a direct violation of the covenant between God and the Israelites, which forbade the worship of any other gods.
"...and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.": Milcom (also known as Molech) was the chief god of the Ammonites, a neighboring people. He was considered an "abomination" because his worship often involved horrific practices, including child sacrifice. Again, "went after" means Solomon participated in the worship of Milcom.
In summary, the verse means that King Solomon, despite his wisdom and divine favor, began to worship the gods of foreign nations, specifically Ashtoreth of the Sidonians and Milcom of the Ammonites. This act of idolatry was a grave sin and a betrayal of his covenant with God.
Context is Crucial:
This verse is part of a larger narrative (1 Kings 11:1-8) that explains how Solomon's many foreign wives led him astray. He built high places (shrines) for their gods, allowing the worship of these foreign deities to take root in Israel. This apostasy was a major turning point in Solomon's reign and ultimately led to the division of the kingdom after his death.
Why is this Significant?
Violation of Covenant: The most important aspect is that it breaks the covenant between God and Israel, which explicitly forbade the worship of other gods.
Moral Corruption: It shows a decline in Solomon's righteousness and wisdom. His heart was turned away from God.
Consequences: This idolatry had dire consequences for Solomon and the nation of Israel, leading to judgment and the eventual division of the kingdom.
The verse is a stark warning against the dangers of compromising one's faith and the importance of remaining faithful to God alone.