Solomon and Pharaoh’s Daughter

Of all the women Solomon married after he became king, the Bible doesn’t name any of them. It does, however, identify one in particular, Pharaoh’s daughter.

Was it a romantic wedding? Was there even much of a relationship between the two? Did Solomon love her, or was their marriage just political? If it was, it must have worked because Israel and Egypt maintained peace during Solomon’s reign.

Chapter 8 of 2 Chronicles starts with some of Solomon’s accomplishments. After 20 years, he completed the temple of the Lord and his royal palace. Pharaoh’s Daughter didn’t live there; he built a palace just for her outside the city.

Solomon moved his wife, Pharaoh’s daughter, from the City of David to the new palace he had built for her. 2 Chronicles 8:11

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Pharaoh’s daughter wasn’t his only wife. He must have been quite the ladies’ man. If a ruler of another kingdom wanted peace with Israel, he would offer Solomon one of his daughters in marriage, which added up to several women.

Now King Solomon loved many foreign women. Besides Pharaoh’s daughter, he married women from Moab, Ammon, Edom, Sidon, and from among the Hittites. 1 Kings 11:1

In fact, the Bible tells us that he ended up with 1,000 women.

He had 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines. 1 Kings 11:3

With all his wisdom, Solomon had heard from God and knew His Word. But when he married all of these women, he chose to blatantly disobey the Lord.

The Lord had clearly instructed the people of Israel, “You must not marry them (foreign women) because they will turn your hearts to their gods.” 1 Kings 11:2

Pharaoh’s Daughter Must Have Been Special

Pharaoh’s daughter must have had a special place in Solomon’s heart because he built her a palace of her own. His reason for moving her outside the city limits is very interesting.

Solomon moved his wife, Pharaoh’s daughter, from the City of David to the new palace he had built for her. He said, “My wife must not live in King David’s palace, for the Ark of the Lord has been there, and it is holy ground.” 2 Chronicles 8:11:

In other words, he tried to compromise with God, which may have looked good to his family, nobles, and subjects, but it didn’t fool the Lord at all.

The king may have thought he moved her out of God’s presence when he moved her away from the Ark of the Lord, but he didn’t.

The Bible Didn’t Record Everybody’s Name

Of his 1,000 women, history only identified one of them, Pharaoh’s daughter. But the scriptures refer to many nameless people who have made an impact in one way or another.

One is Potiphar’s wife. We don’t know her name, but she caused all kinds of trouble for Joseph. Also, a young nameless boy took lunch with him to hear Jesus teach, and it ended up feeding over 5,000 people.

How about this nameless woman whom Solomon, the man of wisdom, married? Did she have any impact at all on him? Yes, but not only her. Each of these pagan women brought their own religious baggage with them and did exactly what God said would happen to Solomon.

Yet Solomon insisted on loving them anyway. And . . . they did turn his heart away from the Lord. 1 Kings 1:2-3

The Impact of this Story of Pharaoh’s Daughter

What lesson can we learn from this story? We must be obedient to the Lord in all things. Even when we view something as insignificant, if it goes against God’s Word, then it isn’t.

So, did Solomon love Pharaoh’s Daughter? According to what we just read, he did. He loved all his wives.

Maybe Solomon got to choose each of his wives. As he met with rulers of other kingdoms, they may have paraded their daughters before him, and he decided which one he wanted.

We get to choose one spouse, and our choice doesn’t come because someone paraded them before us. No, before my wife and I married, we ensured we knew it was God’s will for each of us.

Therefore, if you are seeking a spouse, then carefully and prayerfully know God’s will before you choose your mate. That means keeping ourselves from being unequally yoked with a non-Christian.

Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever? 2 Corinthians 6:14-15

Solomon and Pharaoh’s Daughter — Apply It to Your Life

Obey God Even When Disobedience Seems Insignificant. Solomon knew what God had said, but he chose what he wanted instead. If something goes against God’s Word, don’t convince yourself that it doesn’t matter.
Don’t Try to Compromise With God. Solomon moved Pharaoh’s daughter away from the place he considered holy, but changing her location didn’t change his disobedience. We can’t make something acceptable to God simply by rearranging the circumstances.
Guard Your Heart Against Ungodly Influences. God warned Solomon that these relationships would turn his heart toward other gods. Be careful about the people and influences you allow to shape your values and decisions.
Love God More Than What You Want. Solomon “insisted on loving them anyway.” When something we desire conflicts with God’s Word, our love for the Lord must come first.
Seek God’s Direction in Choosing a Spouse. Marriage profoundly influences our spiritual lives. If you are considering marriage, seek God’s will and choose someone who shares your commitment to Christ.

Lord, help us to love you more than loving our sinful ways and being disobedient to your Word.

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