LEARNING DAILY

 

1 Kings 11:4, For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not loyal to the Lord his God, as was the heart of his father David.

 

 Lately, the blog has been about choosing Jesus over Barabbas, choosing good over evil. It has been about walking on the narrow way and facing the challenges of the devil as he does all he can to get you to step off of the narrow way and not follow God’s way. It has been about encouraging God’s people to fight spiritual warfare with the weapons He has given us and taking every thought captive. It has been about keeping our focus on Jesus and not the world. Now its time for an example – Solomon.

 

David’s heart was “perfect” but not in the sense that he never failed God; it was because he never turned to idolatry and the worship of other gods. Yes, David sinned and did some terrible things, but the Bible describes him as a repentant man, one who loved to do good even though he was unable to always do so.

 

Solomon was like David in allowing his eyes to wander and he did not deny himself any pleasure. Solomon was attracted to foreign women; God had warned this was unacceptable. God had warned that there would be the dangers of ideas and ways of life corrupting the godliness and worship of the One True God in this behavior. Over time, very gradually, Solomon’s sinfulness overcame the righteousness he had in being obedient to the Lord. He disobeyed God’s commandment about spiritual purity – 700 wives and 300 concubines and turned to following the gods they served. Yes, the taking of foreign wives meant political alliances which God never intended for Israel to have. He demanded Israel find their protection and provision in him.

 

Solomon had spoken with God in person on two different occasions. He had been chosen for a special blessing. Now at the time of this verse, he was thought to be around 60 years old, in the latter part of his life and he is focusing on things other than God. He had spent much of his life serving God but his story is one resulting in failure and disgrace. This is a reminder to all of us to be sure our walk on the narrow way is focused on being obedient to God’s Word every day. That Solomon was in this stage of life is showing each of us that even in our old age it is possible to fall to temptation which leads to sin which eventually leads to death.

 

Solomon is used as an example for each of to stay diligent in our study of God’s word and to walk on the narrow way as God demands that we do. Solomon sought power, success wealth and sensual pleasure but he did so through compromise with and tolerance of sin and idolatry.  His worship of foreign gods led to permitting spiritism, immorality, and cruelty.  Solomon’s idolatry shows you and I that knowledge of God and His Word is not enough to keep us from sinning. Sin is a heart issue and can only be resisted as one’s heart is one with God through faith and love.

 

God’s judgment on Solomon resulted in the division of Israel into two kingdoms