One Story | September 20, 2026
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1 Kings 11
1 Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, 2 from the nations concerning which the LORD 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." Solomon clung to these in love. 3 He had 700 wives, who were princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his heart. 4 For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father. 5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. 6 So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and did not wholly follow the LORD, as David his father had done. 7 Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites, on the mountain east of Jerusalem. 8 And so he did for all his foreign wives, who made offerings and sacrificed to their gods. 9 And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice 10 and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what the LORD commanded. 11 Therefore the LORD said to Solomon, "Since this has been your practice and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you and will give it to your servant. 12 Yet for the sake of David your father I will not do it in your days, but I will tear it out of the hand of your son. 13 However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son, for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem that I have chosen."
Talk Sheet Question
KQ: What was Solomon doing that made it obvious he was not following the Lord?
What phrase is used to describe Solomon throughout this passage (2,3,4,9)? Why might that be significant?
What do you think is clear about God’s character in this passage? Which characteristics from the description of God in Ex 34:6-7 can you find?
Solomon was known for his wisdom, but still this happened in his life, and God appeared to him (verse 9). What do you think he was missing? What Good News does this passage leave you thirsty for? (Share a passage of scripture that shows that part of the Good News)
This is a devastating turn of events for the people of Israel. Their King brought their division and downfall. In what ways are you prone to put your hope in a flawed leader or person? How has that affected you?
What things woo your heart to turn away? What guardrails do you have or should you have for your protection?
(KQ is a Kid Question that could be used to invite children into discussion, but also works well for adults)
Prayer
Pray that our hearts would not wander but would run toward the Lord.