Adam Clarke's Bible Commentary Verse 1. Many strange women] That is, idolaters; together with the daughter of Pharaoh: she was also one of those strange women and an idolater. But many think she became a proselyte to the Jewish religion; of this there is no evidence.
John Gill's Bible Commentary Ver. 1. But King Solomon loved many strange women , etc.] His love was a lustful and not a lawful one, and of women who were not only of foreign countries, but not his lawful wives
, and these many: together with the daughter of Pharaoh ; besides her, or as he loved her, and perhaps more; his sin was not that he loved her who was his lawful wife, but others with her; it is very probable she was a proselytess, and had no hand in turning him to idolatry, since we read not of any high place built for an Egyptian idol: women of the Moabites, Anmonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites ; all of the neighbouring nations. Some think he did this with political views, to get intelligence of the state of those countries, or to abate and extinguish their enmity; but it rather seems to be the fruit of lust or pride.
Matthew Henry Commentary
Verses 1-8 - There is not a more melancholy and astonishing instance of huma depravity in the sacred Scriptures, than that here recorded. Solomo became a public worshipper of abominable idols! Probably he by degree gave way to pride and luxury, and thus lost his relish for true wisdom Nothing forms in itself a security against the deceitfulness an depravity of the human heart. Nor will old age cure the heart of an evil propensity. If our sinful passions are not crucified and mortifie by the grace of God, they never will die of themselves, but will las even when opportunities to gratify them are taken away. Let him tha thinks he stands, take heed lest he fall. We see how weak we are of ourselves, without the grace of God; let us therefore live in constan dependence on that grace. Let us watch and be sober: ours is dangerous warfare, and in an enemy's country, while our worst foes ar the traitors in our own hearts. (1Ki 11:9-13)
Original Hebrew והמלך4428 שׁלמה8010 אהב157 נשׁים802 נכריות5237 רבות7227 ואת853 בת1323 פרעה6547 מואביות4125 עמניות5984 אדמית130 צדנית6722 חתית׃2850
