Introduction

Solomon was one of the sons of David, the second king of Israel.  Saul had been the first king of Israel, but he failed God on multiple occasions, so God took the kingdom away from Saul(I Sam. 13:8-13) and gave it to someone with a heart after His Own . . . David(I Sam. 13:14).  David’s kingship was for the most part very successful, but it was not without failures.  David was not without fault.  David wanted to build a temple for God, but God would not allow David to build a temple for Him, as David had shed a lot of blood and waged great wars(I Chron. 22:8).  As a result, David’s son, Solomon, would be the one to build a temple for God.

Solomon the Wise

After becoming the third king of Israel, God asks Solomon how he would like to be blessed(I Kings. 3:5).  Solomon requested wisdom to lead God’s people, Israel(I Kings 3:6-9).  Because Solomon asked for wisdom, instead of long life, reaches or the life of his enemies, God would grant him the wisdom he had requested AND God would give him, riches and honor(I Kings 3:10-13).  All Solomon had to do was follow God’s laws(I Kings 3:14; 9:4-5) and God would establish Solomon’s kingdom forever(it is important to note that Solomon’s successors would also have to follow God’s laws, or the kingship would be lost) – I Kings 9:6.  But Solomon failed.

Solomon was granted wisdom by God, but not just some wisdom; he would be the wisest person ever(I Kings 3:12; 4:29-31; 10:24).  He solved difficult problems.  Others came to him, seeking his wisdom.  He was on top of the world.  Until . . . .

Solomon the Husband

Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines(I Kings 11:3).  No, that was not a typographical error . . . 700 wives.  He could see one a day and go almost two full years before seeing the same one again!  And according to scripture, this was the source of his downfall.  His wives turned his heart away from God(I Kings 11:3).  His wives led him to sacrifice to idols when he was older(I Kings 11:4).  He still worshipped God, but he also worshipped idols.  How did this happen?

Solomon’s Failure

The Bible clearly states, in on unequivocal terms, that Solomon’s wives draw him to sacrifice to idols, but Solomon was the king.  He was not a helpless child.  Yes, his wives were the source of his idolatry, but make no mistake about it.  Solomon . . . turned . . . to . . . idols.  Solomon was responsible for his failure.  Did others contribute to his failure?  Yes.  But Solomon was responsible for his own actions.  And apparently being the wisest person ever to have lived did not insulate him from idolatry.  How did this happen?

I’m not going to suggest that I have any information other than what I read in I Kings 11.  In a way, it is quite simple.  Solomon CHOSE to worship idols.  Why?  How is it possible that someone God spoke directly to, someone who built a temple for God, someone who did so many great things, someone who was the wisest person ever, how did that person stray from God?  How did that person turn his back on God?  The simple answer is . . . he just did.  This should be a warning for each of us.  No matter how much we think we know, no matter how good we might think our relationship with God might be, we can turn away from God.  It is a sobering thought.

The Bible does not state whether or not Solomon “wised up” and returned to God.  Some believe that he wrote Ecclesiastes late in life, evidencing his return to God.  Since we do not know, I can only hope that he did.  But Solomon’s turning to idols is one of the most disappointing and surprising turns in all of scripture, similar to Judas’ betrayal of Jesus.  How could someone who knew and understood so much turn from God?

This should not be a source of discouragement for ourselves.  Just because someone who knew more than we ever will does not mean that we are doomed to failure.  We can remain faithful regardless of what others might do or not do.  Let’s make sure we do not make the same mistakes Solomon did.  No, not the too-many-wives part . . . the idolatry part.  Let’s make sure that we keep God first in our lives.