1 Kings 11:1-3 - Solomon loved many foreign women

11:1,2

We now come to the absolute downfall of Solomon. He had sinned earlier by marrying Pharaoh's daughter, and we have seen his excesses with regard to wealth and horses and chariots. We now see that Pharaoh’s daughter was only the start. Solomon “loved many foreign women”. These included women of Israel’s enemies, and the Lord had warned the Israelites not to intermarry with.  The Lord had also given them the reason for this warning, for “they will surely turn your hearts after their gods” (Deut 7:3,4). “Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love”.  The words here imply that these were not mere political marriages, but that there was a much deeper connection.

11:3

The numbers are simply staggering! 700 wives and 300 concubines. Solomon was a deeply disordered man. I find it amazing that a man who on the one hand was so wise, was, at the same time, an utter fool. He did everything to excess. I think it is also worth noting that the scale of his sacrifices were also excessive. He did everything to excess.