A HEART TURNED AW AY FROM THE LORD
1 Kings 11:1-13
The LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. (9)
chapter 11
1. King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh’s daughter - Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites.
2. They 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.
3. He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray.
4. As 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.
5. He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites.
6. So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD; he did not follow the LORD completely, as David his father had done.
7. On 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.
8. He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and offered sacrifices to their gods.
9. The LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.
10. Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the LORD’s command.
11. So 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.
12. Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son.
13. Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him, but will give him one tribe for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen."
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
1. Solomon accomplished everything he set his heart to do, and he did many good things. But he crossed the line when it came to marrying foreign wives. Solomon married 700 wives of royal birth in addition to having 300 concubines. He used his power to marry or possess any woman he desired. Instead of having a shepherd heart for foreigners, Solomon used them for his own pleasure and enslaved others (9:21). Solomon’s heart was led away from God and towards the lusts of more power, riches, and pleasure, and he built altars to their detestable gods.
2. Because of Solomon’s idolatry, the glory and splendor of his kingdom would be a fleeting memory, soon to be torn away. Solomon’s life and legacy are forever tainted with his lack of restraint, lack of repentance, and lack of real wisdom to bring God’s shepherd heart to the whole world. What if things were to be different? What if someone were to come to finally bring God’s kingdom on earth?
Prayer: Lord, forgive me for my sins, and thank you for sending your son, Jesus, to embody your love and bring your kingdom to earth.
One Word: Love God, not idols