But if you turn away, and forsake my statutes and my commandments, which I have set before you, and shall go and serve other gods, and worship them;
if ye turn away
Leviticus 26:14,33 But if ye will not hearken unto me, and will not do all these commandments; …
Deuteronomy 28:15,36,37 But it shall come to pass, if thou wilt not hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to observe to do all his commandments and his statutes which I command thee this day; that all these curses shall come upon thee, and overtake thee: …
1 Samuel 12:25 But if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed, both ye and your king.
shall go
Deuteronomy 4:23-27 Take heed unto yourselves, lest ye forget the covenant of the LORD your God, which he made with you, and make you a graven image, or the likeness of any thing, which the LORD thy God hath forbidden thee…
Joshua 23:15,16 Therefore it shall come to pass, that as all good things are come upon you, which the LORD your God promised you; so shall the LORD bring upon you all evil things, until he have destroyed you from off this good land which the LORD your God hath given you…
1 Kings 9:6,7 But if ye shall at all turn from following me, ye or your children, and will not keep my commandments and my statutes which I have set before you, but go and serve other gods, and worship them: …
and forsake the statutes and commandments I have set before you
The statutes and commandments refer to the laws given by God to Israel, primarily through Moses. These laws were meant to guide the Israelites in their daily lives and maintain their covenant relationship with God. Forsaking these laws implies a deliberate rejection of God's authority and guidance. Historically, Israel's failure to adhere to these commandments often led to periods of judgment and exile, as seen in the Babylonian captivity. This phrase underscores the importance of obedience to God's revealed will.
and if you go off to serve and worship other gods
Serving and worshiping other gods was a direct violation of the first commandment, which prohibits idolatry. In the ancient Near Eastern context, polytheism was prevalent, and Israel was constantly tempted to adopt the religious practices of surrounding nations. This phrase highlights the danger of syncretism, where the worship of Yahweh could be compromised by the inclusion of other deities. The prophets frequently warned against this, as seen in the ministries of Elijah and Jeremiah. Theologically, this serves as a type of spiritual adultery, where Israel's unfaithfulness to God is likened to an unfaithful spouse.
The Lord’s warning begins with a phrase that highlights personal responsibility. Solomon and the nation stand on a foundation of God’s faithfulness, yet the possibility of drifting is real.
• “Turn away” pictures an intentional change of direction, echoing Deuteronomy 30:17, “But if your heart turns away and you do not listen…”
• God never moves; people do. Psalm 78:10 places the blame squarely on those who “refused to live by His law.”
• Hebrews 3:12 reminds believers, “See to it…that none of you has a wicked heart of unbelief that turns away from the living God.”
Turning away is not a momentary lapse but a chosen path. God speaks plainly so His people can measure their steps against His Word and correct course while there is still time.
To forsake is stronger than forget. It is deliberate abandonment of what was once embraced.
• The “statutes and commandments” refer to the covenant stipulations given through Moses (Deuteronomy 4:5-8). These were already “set before” the nation, removing every excuse.
• 1 Samuel 12:15 identifies the heart issue: “If you do not obey the Lord, but rebel…then His hand will be against you.”
• Jesus affirms the same principle: “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments” (John 14:15). Love and obedience walk together; rejection of one is rejection of the other.
Forsaking God’s Word severs the lifeline of blessing and leads inevitably to discipline (Psalm 119:155).
Here is the end of the downward spiral: idolatry. Turning away and forsaking truth leave a vacuum that false gods are eager to fill.
• The first two commandments forbid this path (Exodus 20:3-5). Disobedience is not neutral; it transfers allegiance.
• Deuteronomy 4:23-27 warns that pursuing idols will scatter Israel among the nations—exactly what unfolded in later history (2 Kings 17:7-23).
• Paul applies the lesson to believers: “Flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14). Anything that steals devotion, trust, or worship from the Lord becomes an idol, whether ancient statues or modern pursuits.
Idolatry is spiritual adultery (Jeremiah 3:9). God refuses to share His glory, and He loves His people too much to let them destroy themselves unopposed.
2 Chronicles 7:19 is a sober reminder that covenant blessing is tied to covenant faithfulness. Turning away, forsaking God’s Word, and embracing idols mark a progressive descent that ends in judgment. The passage calls every generation to guard the heart, cling to Scripture, and worship the Lord alone, confident that obedience secures His favor and protection.
(19) But.--And. Kings omits, but emphasises the verb, "If ye will turn," or, "if turn ye will."The order of words in the Heb. implies that ?-bnekem, "and your children," has fallen out of the text: "And if ye turn, ye and your children." So Kings, and Syriac and Arabic here. Kings adds, "From after me."
And forsake.--Kings, "and keep not." So Syriac and Arabic.
Verses 19, 20. - And forsake. The parallel (1 Kings 9:6) puts it, according to the Authorized Version, "If ye shall at all turn from following me," etc., which rendering on the part of the Authorized Version probably errs by excess. Much mercy, much forbearing, long-suffering, and slowness to anger, were sure to mark the Divine rule; nor would condemnation take effect, nor did it take effect, till the revolt of the people was a thorough revolt, as finally testifying itself in the crucifixion of Christ (see also, as comments on the expressions of these two verses, Leviticus 26:14; Deuteronomy 4:26, 27; Deuteronomy 28:37, and generally 15-64). The same Hebrew words for a proverb and a byword among all nations are found in ver. 37, as just quoted.