For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after {d} Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.

(d) Who was also called Molech in 1Ki 11:7. See also 2Ki 23:10.

Wesley's Notes

11:5 Milcom - Called also Moloch.

King James Translators' Notes

Milcom: also called, Molech

Scofield Reference Notes

Margin Ashtoreth

1Ki 11:33. See Scofield Note: "Jud 2:13".

Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary

5-7. Ashtoreth-Astarte,

Milcom-Molech,

and Chemosh-He built altars for these three; but, although he is described (1Ki 11:8) as doing the same for "all his strange wives," there is no evidence that they had idols distinct from these; and there is no trace whatever of Egyptian idolatry.

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary

11:1-8 There is not a more melancholy and astonishing instance of human depravity in the sacred Scriptures, than that here recorded. Solomon became a public worshipper of abominable idols! Probably he by degrees gave way to pride and luxury, and thus lost his relish for true wisdom. Nothing forms in itself a security against the deceitfulness and depravity of the human heart. Nor will old age cure the heart of any evil propensity. If our sinful passions are not crucified and mortified by the grace of God, they never will die of themselves, but will last even when opportunities to gratify them are taken away. Let him that 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 constant dependence on that grace. Let us watch and be sober: ours is a dangerous warfare, and in an enemy's country, while our worst foes are the traitors in our own hearts.