The Skeptics Annotated Bible (317 page)

2 Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.

3 And
he had seven hundred wives
, princesses,
and three hundred concubines
: and his wives turned away his heart.

(11.3)
“He had seven hundred wives … and three hundred concubines.”

4 For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that
his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.

(11.4a)
“His wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God.”
The wisest man that ever lived (1 Kings 4.31) was misled by his wives into worshipping other gods.

(11.4b, 6)
“His heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father … Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father.”
David was one of the most disgusting characters in all fiction, yet “his heart was perfect with the Lord.” (see also 11.33-38, 15.3-5, 11.)

5 For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.

6 And
Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and went not fully after the LORD, as did David his father.

7
Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.

(11.7)
“Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon.”
Solomon (the wisest man that ever lived) worshipped many gods, including Ashtoreth, Micom, Chemosh, and Molech.

8 And likewise did he for all his strange wives, which burnt incense and sacrificed unto their gods.

9 And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the LORD God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice,

10 And had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the LORD commanded.

11 Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.

12 Notwithstanding
in thy days I will not do it for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.

(11.12) “In thy days I will not do it for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.” God is angry with Solomon, but decides to punish Solomon’s son rather than Solomon himself, because he liked Solomon’s father (David) so darned much.
41 Are we punished for the sins of others?