1 Kings 11:4For it happened, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods; and his heart was not perfect with Yahweh his God, as was the heart of David his father.
The setting
Jerusalem, Israel, ~930 BC. The wise king who built God's temple now bows in pagan shrines...
The emotion here: mourning the tragic contrast between Solomon's beginning and end
The original word
shalem (שָׁלֵם) — complete, perfect, undivided loyalty, whole-hearted devotion
Why it matters
Solomon reigned 40 years - this decline happened in his final decades
Read with care
What most readers miss in 1 Kings 11:4
His heart wasn't 'perfect' like David's - David sinned but always returned to God alone
Common misconceptionPeople think this happened suddenly, but it was a gradual process over decades. Solomon didn't wake up one day and abandon God - he slowly compromised until his heart was divided.
The thread continues
Verses that echo 1 Kings 11:4
Bible Genome reading
1 Kings 11:4 — Bible Genome reading
Emotional genome
1 Kings 11:4 comes from the book of 1 Kings, written during the United Kingdom period. These words are attributed to Narrator. The dominant emotion in this verse is grieving, with a comfort power of 20% and a tone that is lamenting. It belongs to the narrative genre of biblical literature. Key themes include spiritual decline, age compromise. Notable phrases: when Solomon was old; heart was not perfect with Yahweh; turned away his heart.
Emotionally similar
Verses that meet the same grieving
“By the sweat of your face will you eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken. For you are dust, and to dust you…”
— Genesis 3:19
“Jesus wept.”
— John 11:35
“My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from helping me, and from the words of my groaning?”
— Psalms 22:1
“They divide my garments among them. They cast lots for my clothing.”
— Psalms 22:18
“for all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God;”
— Romans 3:23
Your reflection
What does 1 Kings 11:4 mean to you, today?
A short note. A question. A prayer. Saved privately to your Soul Garden, dated, and tied to this verse forever.
Speak your heart →Get 3 verses for "grieving"
Delivered to your inbox right now. Free.