He had seven hundred wives of royal birthSolomon's marriages to women of royal birth were often political alliances, common in the ancient Near East to secure peace and strengthen political ties. These marriages were likely intended to establish alliances with surrounding nations, such as Egypt and Moab. This practice, while politically advantageous, was contrary to
Deuteronomy 17:17, which warned Israelite kings against taking many wives, as it could lead their hearts astray. Solomon's actions reflect a departure from the covenantal ideals set for Israel's leaders.
and three hundred concubines
Concubines in ancient Israel were women who had a recognized relationship with a man but without the full status of a wife. They often bore children and were part of the household. The large number of concubines indicates Solomon's immense wealth and power, as maintaining such a household required significant resources. This practice, however, also reflects a deviation from the monogamous ideal seen inGenesis 2:24 and highlights the potential for moral and spiritual compromise.
and his wives turned his heart away
This phrase underscores the spiritual danger of Solomon's marriages. Despite his wisdom, Solomon's heart was led astray by his foreign wives, who worshipped other gods. This turning away is a fulfillment of the warning inDeuteronomy 7:3-4, which cautioned against intermarriage with foreign nations to prevent the Israelites from being led into idolatry. Solomon's apostasy had significant consequences, leading to the division of the kingdom after his death, as prophesied in1 Kings 11:11-13. This serves as a cautionary tale about the importance of faithfulness to God and the dangers of compromising one's beliefs.
Persons / Places / Events
1.
SolomonThe third king of Israel, known for his wisdom, wealth, and building projects, including the Temple in Jerusalem. Despite his wisdom, Solomon's heart was led astray by his many wives.
2.
Wives and ConcubinesSolomon had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. These relationships were often political alliances, but they ultimately led him away from God.
3.
IsraelThe united kingdom under Solomon's rule, which experienced peace and prosperity but also spiritual decline due to Solomon's disobedience.
4.
JerusalemThe capital city of Israel, where Solomon built the Temple, a central place of worship for the Israelites.
5.
Foreign NationsMany of Solomon's wives were from surrounding nations, which God had warned Israel not to intermarry with, as they would lead them to worship other gods.
Teaching Points
Guard Your HeartSolomon's heart was turned away from God by his wives. We must guard our hearts against influences that lead us away from God.
Obedience to God's CommandsSolomon's downfall began with disobedience to God's clear commands. Obedience is crucial for maintaining a right relationship with God.
The Danger of CompromiseSolomon's political marriages were compromises that led to spiritual decline. Compromise in our spiritual lives can have devastating consequences.
The Influence of RelationshipsThe people we surround ourselves with can influence our spiritual walk. Choose relationships that encourage and strengthen your faith.
The Consequences of SinSolomon's sin had lasting consequences for him and the nation of Israel. Our sins can have far-reaching effects beyond our own lives.
Bible Study Questions and Answers
1.What is the meaning of 1 Kings 11:3?
2.How did Solomon's many wives lead him away from God in 1 Kings 11:3?
3.What lessons can we learn from Solomon's disobedience in 1 Kings 11:3?
4.How does Solomon's downfall relate to Deuteronomy 17:17 about kings and wives?
5.How can we guard our hearts against similar temptations Solomon faced?
6.What steps can we take to prioritize God over worldly influences in life?
7.How could Solomon have 700 wives and 300 concubines according to 1 Kings 11:3?
8.Why did Solomon's many wives lead him astray in 1 Kings 11:3?
9.What does 1 Kings 11:3 reveal about Solomon's wisdom and decision-making?
10.What are the top 10 Lessons from 1 Kings 11?
11.1 Kings 11:3 – How is it physically and historically plausible for Solomon to have 700 wives and 300 concubines?
12.(Song of Solomon 6:8) How can sixty queens and eighty concubines align with Solomon’s reputed 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3)?
13.Why did God permit concubines in the Bible?
14.Why did Solomon marry many wives and concubines?What Does 1 Kings 11:3 Mean
He had seven hundred wives– Scripture records this as literal history (1 Kings 11:3).
– God’s original pattern is one man and one woman (Genesis 2:24;Matthew 19:4-6).
– Solomon’s excess breaks the specific kingly warning, “He must not take many wives” (Deuteronomy 17:17).
– Even great wisdom (1 Kings 3:12) does not exempt anyone from obeying God’s clear commands.
of royal birth– These marriages were political alliances (1 Kings 3:1; 11:1).
– Royal wives brought the customs and deities of their nations (Deuteronomy 7:3-4).
– Earthly power tempted Solomon to trust diplomacy over dependence on the Lord (Psalm 20:7;Isaiah 31:1).
– Pursuing status through relationships still leads hearts away today (1 John 2:16).
and three hundred concubines– Concubines were secondary wives who provided pleasure, prestige, and heirs (2 Samuel 5:13).
– Though culturally accepted, this arrangement violated God’s created order and cheapened covenant marriage (Malachi 2:14-16;Hebrews 13:4).
– Solomon’s tolerance for lesser commitments foreshadowed his later tolerance for lesser gods.
—and his wives turned his heart away– What God predicted came to pass: “so that his heart will not turn away” (Deuteronomy 17:17) becomes “his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD” (1 Kings 11:4-8).
– Idolatry followed intimacy; misplaced affections produced divided worship (Exodus 20:3;Matthew 6:24).
– Solomon’s story warns that great starts (1 Kings 3:3-4) can end poorly when the heart drifts (Proverbs 4:23;James 1:14-15).
– Believers guard their hearts by clinging to Christ, not compromising with culture (2 Corinthians 6:14-18; Jude 20-21).
summary1 Kings 11:3 shows the tragic progression from multiplying wives to multiplied idolatry. Solomon’s staggering harem—700 royal wives and 300 concubines—reflects human ambition unrestrained by God’s word. The alliances looked wise but proved fatal to faith, turning the wisest king’s heart away from the LORD. The verse stands as a sober reminder that obedience safeguards devotion, and that even subtle compromises in relationships can steer a heart off course.
(3)
Seven hundred wives and three hundred concubines.--The harem of an Eastern king is simply an adjunct of his magnificence, and the relation of the wives to him little more than nominal. (Comp.
Esther 2:14.) Nor does the statement here made necessarily imply that at any one time the whole number existed. Still, the numbers here given, though found also in the LXX. and in Josephus, are not only extraordinarily large, but excessive in comparison with the "three- score queens and fourscore concubines" of
Song of Solomon 6:8, and disproportionate in the relative number of the superior and inferior wives. It is possible that, in relation to the former, at any rate, the text may be corrupt, though the corruption must be of ancient date.
Verse 3. -
And he had seven hundred wives, princesses [These may have been members of royal or princely houses of neighbouring nations. Evidently they enjoyed a distinguished rank],
and three hundred concubines [Though not committed to a defence of the accuracy of the figures 700 and 300 (which are clearly
round numbers), it must be said that the reasons alleged for reducing them (as from 700 to 70) are not of much weight. It is hardly correct,
e.
g., to say (as Rawlinson) that the numbers are given in
Song of Solomon 6:8 as "threescore queens and fourscore concubines," for it is obvious that too much importance must not be attached to an
obiter statement ("there are threescore," etc.) in a poetical book, too, and one descriptive of Solomon's youth. The view of Ewald and Keil, again, that these numbers represent the sum total of the inmates of the harem at different periods of Solomon's long reign, rather than the number present at any one time - they would see in the numbers of Song of Solomon
l.c. a statement of the
average strength of the seraglio - though not to be described as evasive, is certainly not the natural interpretation of the words. And these numbers, when we compare them with the establishments of other Eastern potentates, are not found to be at all incredible. The commentators all remind us that Dareius Codomannus,
e.
g., took with him on his expedition against Alexander 360
pellices. Or if ancient history, as Rawlinson affirms, furnishes no strict parallel to these figures, the harems of modern Persia and Turkey at any rate have quite equalled that of Solomon. (See Bahr
in loc.) It is true that Rehoboam had only 18 wives and 60 concubines (
2 Chronicles 11:21), but then Rehoboam was not Solomon. If his harem was but a tithe of his father's, so also were his wealth and his power]:
and his wives turned away his heart. ["Satan hath found this bait to take so well that he never changed since he crept into Paradise" (Bp. Hall).]
Parallel Commentaries ...
Hebrew
He hadוַיְהִי־(way·hî-)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine singular
Strong's 1961:To fall out, come to pass, become, besevenשְׁבַ֣ע(šə·ḇa‘)Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7651:Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite numberhundredמֵא֔וֹת(mê·’ō·wṯ)Number - feminine plural
Strong's 3967:A hundredwivesנָשִׁ֗ים(nā·šîm)Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 802:Woman, wife, femaleof royal birthשָׂרוֹת֙(śā·rō·wṯ)Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 8282:A mistress, female nobleand threeשְׁלֹ֣שׁ(šə·lōš)Number - feminine singular construct
Strong's 7969:Three, third, thricehundredמֵא֑וֹת(mê·’ō·wṯ)Number - feminine plural
Strong's 3967:A hundredconcubines—וּפִֽלַגְשִׁ֖ים(ū·p̄i·laḡ·šîm)Conjunctive waw | Noun - feminine plural
Strong's 6370:A concubine, a paramourand his wivesנָשָׁ֖יו(nā·šāw)Noun - feminine plural construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 802:Woman, wife, femaleturned his heartלִבּֽוֹ׃(lib·bōw)Noun - masculine singular construct | third person masculine singular
Strong's 3820:The heart, the feelings, the will, the intellect, centreaway.וַיַּטּ֥וּ(way·yaṭ·ṭū)Conjunctive waw | Verb - Hifil - Consecutive imperfect - third person masculine plural
Strong's 5186:To stretch out, spread out, extend, incline, bend
Links
1 Kings 11:3 NIV1 Kings 11:3 NLT1 Kings 11:3 ESV1 Kings 11:3 NASB1 Kings 11:3 KJV
1 Kings 11:3 BibleApps.com1 Kings 11:3 Biblia Paralela1 Kings 11:3 Chinese Bible1 Kings 11:3 French Bible1 Kings 11:3 Catholic Bible
OT History: 1 Kings 11:3 He had seven hundred wives princesses (1Ki iKi i Ki 1 Kg 1kg) 
