1 Kings 11:1-3
Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, from the nations concerning which the Lord had said to the people of Israel, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. He had 700 wives, who were princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his heart.
Tag: Idols come in all Sizes
It has always perplexed me as to why Solomon did what is reported in the above passage. The chapter just before this tells us that Solomon’s wisdom was so great that people came from all over the world to hear him speak. Solomon was noted for his wisdom - but why would he make such choices. He wrote thousands of proverbs - many are about the temptation of sin through woman. In the book of Proverbs he used the “adulterous” woman as a the ultimate metaphor for folly and sin. However, the above passage shows us that his writings were probably, often, through his own failures and experiences. Having wisdom from God does not exempt us from falling into sin and making unwise choices. Temptation happens to all and all can fall into a pattern of sin. Solomon allowed the hunger for women in his life to corrupt him. He introduced false gods to the nation of Israel and these false gods would, eventually, cause the nation to fall into captivity. The King who is known for wisdom and integrity succumbed to his own fleshly hungers and caused many to sin. Wisdom is not a guarantee of not sinning. It is only a guarantee that God is in you life and giving you the ability to know what is right and wrong. It will NOT keep you from never sining. It will help you make better choices after you sin, however. Solomon’s sin does not discredit his message in God’s Word. It does show us, however, that we have to apply his words if we want to prevent his life style.
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