What a massive disconnect! Solomon, the wisest man on the earth, the one that all the kings come to hear counsel from, disobeys God in at least four main areas.
Notice what God forbid the Israelite kings to do. But he shall not multiply horses to himself, nor cause the people to return to Egypt, to the end that he should multiply horses: forasmuch as the Lord hath said unto you, Ye shall henceforth return no more that way. Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold. (Deuteronomy 17:16–17, KJV)
Notice Solomon’s disobedience. Money—Solomon amassed 25 tons of gold annually, not including tax revenue (1 Kings 10:14, 22, NLT). Military—Solomon amassed horses and chariots. He even built chariot cities, or military bases, to station all the horses and chariots (1 Kings 10:26, NLT). Marriages—Solomon married hundreds of women from foreign nations (1 Kings 11:1–3, NLT). Molech—Solomon’s heart was turned away from the LORD God by the gods of his many wives. Molech was a pagan god who was worshipped by offering children as sacrifices! The man who built the Temple in the LORD’s name built a shrine to Molech (1 Kings 11:7–8 NLT)!
How could the wisest man on the earth do this? It’s a matter of the heart. Solomon, in his heart, strayed from God over time. Solomon didn’t do this all in a day. He disobeyed God gradually over time until God decided to rend the kingdom from Solomon (1 Kings 11:9–11). The ultimate wisdom here is to love God with all your heart, soul, and mind—obeying Him and repenting of disobedience. Solomon knew this, but the wisest man didn’t heed this simple wisdom. Wow!
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from 1 Kings 10-11; 2 Chronicles 9.