"from the nations concerning which the LORD had said to the people of Israel, 'You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods'; Solomon clung to these in love." — The *law* forbids *intermarriage with foreign nations* (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). The *rationale*: they will *turn away your heart* (*netayu et-levavkhem*) *after their gods*. Yet Solomon *cleaves to them in love* (*va-yidabeq bahen be-ahava*), *consciously violating the divine command*. The *love* becomes the *occasion of unfaithfulness*.

COMMUNITY REFLECTIONS

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