Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.
Didn't King Solomon of Israel sin because of these same things? Even though there was no king like him among all the nations—a man beloved by his God, whom God made king over all Israel—even Solomon was led into sin by foreign women.
Nehemiah is warning that even the great King Solomon, who was deeply loved by God, fell into sin because of his relationships with foreign women who didn't follow God.
📚 Historical Context
Nehemiah was addressing the Israelites who had returned from Babylonian exile and were marrying foreign women who worshiped other gods. He used Solomon as a powerful example because Solomon was known for his wisdom and God's favor, yet his many foreign wives led him to worship their gods and ultimately divided his kingdom. This was a critical moment as the returning exiles were rebuilding not just Jerusalem's walls but also their spiritual identity as God's chosen people.
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