Solomon’s Decline
First Kings 11: 1-42
As Paul House relates in his commentary on First and Second Kings, one final assessment of Solomon now appears. Unlike the earlier ones, this account lays bare the faults and frailties of this brilliant man. Those failings affected the king himself, of course, but they affected the nation even more. So far, the people had certainly worked hard and had enjoyed material success that their leader’s wisdom had brought them. They seemed to have remained faithful to ADONAI, at least in part because of the presence of the Temple. Like their king, Isra’el was riding the crest of power and influence previously unknown. To be sure, hints of problems appear in the text, yet such potential difficulties appear to be annoyances, not threats.
Unfortunately, the plot takes a tragic turn. Solomon and Isra’el had risen to great heights only to fall into idolatry, division, decay, and ultimately, exile. So begins the story of decline. Each stage of deterioration is made all the more regrettable because it could have been avoided. Covenant faithfulness would have allowed the covenant people blessing and safety, but their disobedience left Ha’Shem no alternative except to discipline. Solomon’s sin may have begun small. It may have developed gradually over time. But however it started, it began a national disintegration that was at times slowed, but never completely halted.214
It is important to note that the Chronicler omitted a large part of First Kings 11:1-42. This portion of Kings reports Solomon’s failures and the resulting division of his kingdom. The Chronicler’s purpose in omitting these materials was not to deny Solomon’s failures, but to create an ideal model for his post-exilic readers. For this reason, Chronicles moves directly from Solomon’s worldwide fame to the notice of his death (to see link click Ca – Solomon’s Death).
Dear Heavenly Father, Praise You for Your great love that rescues those who love You from sin’s grip when they turn to you confessing You as their Lord and Savior (Romans 10:9-10). Praise You for Your love that goes beyond initial salvation, to a love that desires to bless me by both living within me (John 14:23) and by rewarding me for making right choices with a godly heart attitude (First Corinthians 3:12-13).
May you give me the spiritual clarity to see that dabbling in a small sin is a step closer to falling into deeper, more serious, sin. May I meditate on Your holiness so often that I don’t want to disappoint You. May I recognize that the future in heaven is for eternity. Problems will soon be no more. For I consider the sufferings of this present time not worthy to be compared with the coming glory to be revealed to us (Romans 8:18). All of life’s issues – the hard times and the good times will be no more. The most important thing that will last thru eternity will be my relationship with You! I love You so much! May my thoughts and actions bring You joy. In Yeshua’s holy name and power of His resurrection. Amen
Leave A Comment