Click to read 1 Kings 11
Synopsis
Solomon's heart turned away from God in his last years. The Lord had given clear instructions to the nation not o have any relationship with the pagans, and yet Solomon disobeyed it to the core. Not only did he marry foreign wives and concubines, he eventually turned to worship their gods. The Lord was angry and pronounced judgment on Solomon but yet kept His promise to have David's descendants upon the throne; though the kingdom was thorn away, Solomon's son, Rehoboam, was allowed to remain as the king for one tribe.
The Lord raised adversaries against Solomon to punish him and eventually made Jeroboam the ruler of Israel when Solomon died.
Major Verses
V2-6 - Despite his God-given wisdom, Solomon chose to turn his heart from the Lord. Against God's clear instructions not to, he married many pagans wives and concubines. They eventually turned his heart away from God. Worst still, Solomon worshiped the pagan gods like a pagan.
What I learn
Solomon was the wisest man that lived, and yet wisdom is not the key to an honorable relationship with God. Obedience is. God's instruction must not be taken lightly as there are heavy consequences to disobedient. He knows our weaknesses and thus gives instructions to help us avoid falling and having to pay for the consequences. We must guard our hearts against being disobedient to our loving Father. We must remember that we are not as strong as we think we are.
V11-13 - While God punished Solomon by taking away the kingdom from him, He demonstrated His faithfulness by keeping His promise to David by ensuring that Solomon's son continue to be a king, albeit just over one tribe. In addition, God's mercy was also extended to Solomon as God allowed him to rule till his death.
What I learn
God is always merciful and faithful to His promises even though He is holy and demands obedience. Let's thank Him for His mercies, for they are new every morning and great is His faithfulness to us.
Summary
Solomon started well with God and followed the footsteps of David, his father. He did not turn away from God all at once or on a single day. It all started with a minor departure from God's laws. And over the years, that little act became so over whelming that he lived grossly in sin - worshiping detestable pagan gods himself. We must not allow little sins to go unchallenged and unconfessed. We must ask God for strength to resist temptations and overcome sin.
What have you learn?
Please share your learning through the "Comments" link....let's encourage each other to a better relationship with God.
Up next...
Following Solomon's death, Israel plunged into chaos and sin .... let learn together on 7th Jan.
No matter how holy we are, we can never been completely 100% holy by God's standards...We can only be holy and made complete in Christ.
ReplyDeleteThe atmosphere of Paganism & Idolatry exists even today...unless we look to the Cross and seek Christ in submission, we can be easy prey to gradual introduction and seduction of these paganistic and idolatrous practises...just as Solomon succumb under the influence of his many wives.