Xanthe Hancox

King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh’s daughter—Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. They were from nations about which the Lord had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.” … So the Lord said to Solomon, “Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates. 1 Kings 11:1-2a, 11

We’ve spent quite some time over the past weeks reading about Solomon’s wisdom. In today’s chapter we read about his foolishness.

When we first read the history of Solomon’s failure it seems almost unbelievable. How could the king who decided so wisely bring disaster upon his family and his country? How could something so right go so wrong?

Despite all his wisdom, power, and fame, Solomon had a fatal weakness. He had 700 wives and 300 mistresses (verse 3). Surprisingly, the number of Solomon’s marriages is not condemned. In the ancient world it was common practice for a king to have arranged marriages to create political alliances. Solomon’s marriages are condemned because they led him into idolatry.

1 Kings 11 shows that Solomon’s heart ruled over his head: Verse 2 says, “they will surely turn your hearts after their gods, "and verse 4 tells us that “his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God”.

It’s important to notice that Solomon doesn’t turn away from God overnight. But he does make a decision to let other gods into his life. And over time he allows them more and more space in his life. In the end Solomon turns his heart away from the God of his father David and towards the false gods of his foreign wives.

Most people who give up their faith do it over a period of time. Over time they allow other things to take the place that belongs only to God. Perhaps you know someone like this. Pray for them today, pick up the phone and ask them to come to church with you this Sunday.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, forgive me for the times I have slowly allowed other things to take your place in my life. Help me to refocus on you, and give me the courage to turn away from the things in my life that I know will only lead me further from you. Amen