Solomon's Downfall

1King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh’s daughter—Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. 2They were from nations about which the Lord had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.” Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. 3He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. 4As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 5He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. 6So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the Lord; he did not follow the Lord completely, as David his father had done.

7On a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable god of Moab, and for Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. 8He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and offered sacrifices to their gods.

9The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. 10Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the Lord’s command. 11So the Lord said to Solomon, “Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates.(1 Kings 11) 

Thoughts: It is hard to believe the wisest man could make such foolish mistakes.  His wisdom helped him make alliances through marriage.  Solomon had 1,000 wives and 1,000 concubines.  That might have been enough! But his wives wanted the religion of their homeland.  The passage rightly points out that the gods of the Moabites and Ammonites were detestable- specifically as they allowed/encouraged child sacrifice.  So, Solomon in his wisdom devalued the monotheism and worship of the Lord only (monolatry). Solomon's wisdom and wealth had degraded in his old age to a "I-know-better pride." 
    The passage also points out that God had appeared to Solomon twice (at the beginning of his rule and the dedication of the Temple) and to squander such a clear appearance on false gods was anathema.  So this was the beginning of the split in the kingdom for the next 400 years.   God would not hold the kingdom together for someone who refused His love and refused to love Him as the only God. 

Prayer: Lord, let my wisdom always be tinged with faith and not pride.