1 Kings 11 -- That Wisdom Didn't Do Him Much Good

My commentary traced the steps of Solomon's downward path:

First, he disobeyed God's Word -- He went back to Egypt, multiplied wives and horses and chariots in direct disobedience to God's Word.  All this was due to the fact that "he didn't really believe that Jehovah could protect the land ... Solomon's compromise wasn't a sudden thing, for he gradually descended into his idolatry," permitting his wives to worship their own gods, building shrines for them, and finally participating in idol worship.

Second, he ignored God's warning -- THREE TIMES God spoke to him!

Third, he resisted God's discipline -- God even raised up adversaries against him to try to get His message across.

Fourth, he opposed God's servant -- God raised up Jeroboam, one of his officers, as He had told Solomon he would, to be the future king of the 10 northern tribes, but Solomon attacked him, sending him to Egypt until Solomon died.

"Solomon was handed great opportunities but didn't make the most of them ... He was defective in sharing the knowledge of the Lord with the Gentiles... The grandeur of the kingdom and not the glory of the Lord was what motivated Solomon's life ... the people followed Solomon's bad example and began to worship the gods of their neighbors.  It was this sin more than any other that brought about the downfall of the Jewish nation."

Father, if I'm tempted to stray, discipline me before I stop following Your will.  Make it clearer for me than You even did for Solomon.  Keep me on Your path.  Never let me stray.  After all, You've shown me over the years that it's the thought that counts.

 

Your Brother In Christ,
Gary Ford