“One Year Bible” Old Testament History Passage
I Kings 11:1-12:19
“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.” I Kings 11:4 (NKJV)
Solomon was a very wise leader. His wisdom is legendary. However, he allowed compromise to enter his life in the form of multiple wives. Not only did he disobey God in terms of marrying many women (see God’s instructions in Deuteronomy 17:17), he went even further and intermarried with pagan women.
We today see this as immoral (and rightly so). It is called polygamy and it is illegal. It was not, however, uncommon in the culture of Solomon’s day. For us today, from a spiritual standpoint it stands for more than just marriage. It involves commitments and covenants we make that are contrary to the will of God.
Solomon was a good man, but he made concessions and commitments that over time weakened him. We can do the same thing. It may not show up today, but in years to come, you will find yourself further and further from God.
As an old man, Solomon had lived with compromise for so long that he sank into deep deception. This is like standing on a seashore while the tide comes in. At first, it simply feels good as the waves wash up around your feet. But there is an erosion taking place. In seemingly no time at all, you find your feet buried in the sand.
Solomon was wise in his dealings with the nation, but foolish in his personal life. The result was not legendary wisdom, but legendary deception. In some circles today, Solomon’s name is associated with all kinds of occultic and mystical teachings and practices. When he fell, he fell a LONG WAY. May we today stay close to God and close to His Word. That is the wisest way to live.