Charles Ellicott Commentary 1 Kings 11:1

Charles Ellicott Commentary

1 Kings 11:1

1819–1905
Anglican
Charles Ellicott
Charles Ellicott

Charles Ellicott Commentary

1 Kings 11:1

1819–1905
Anglican
SCRIPTURE

"Now king Solomon loved many foreign women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites;" — 1 Kings 11:1 (ASV)

Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, Hittites. —The first three of these peoples were related to Israel and from the lineage of Abraham, and were now among Solomon's subjects. The last two were of the old Canaanite lineage and were now inferior allies. The prohibition of the Law (Exodus 34:12–16; Deuteronomy 7:3–4) properly applied only to these latter groups. However, the reason on which that prohibition was based was now equally applicable to the others, because they also had fallen into the worship of false gods. Therefore, this prohibition was extended to them, a practice recognized by the Jews after the captivity (Ezra 9:2; Ezra 9:11–12; Nehemiah 13:23–29).

It should be noted that the marriage with Pharaoh's daughter is apparently distinguished from these connections, which are so strongly condemned, and that there is no mention of the introduction of any Egyptian idolatry.