1 Kings: Walk Before Me Faithfullyنموونە

Through the account of Solomon we have seen seeds of concern about him: his Egyptian wife; his vengeance; his wealth; times when he doesn’t appear to walk in God’s ways. Now we see the full flowering of those seeds into blatant polygamy and idolatry. 

It is not only that Solomon loves many women, but that they are foreign and thus have their own gods. Though Solomon loves the Lord (3:3), he ‘held fast to them [his wives] in love’ (11:2). So he builds temples for those gods and, in old age, his heart turns to those gods. Marriage to the worshippers of foreign idols was prohibited under God’s law (v. 2), but again Solomon does not walk in God’s ways. 

It is easy for leaders, even church leaders, to live above God’s word and law. Power corrupts, so in sport, politics and business positions of power often end up being abused. It is worth considering how we use our power, whether in a church group or social club or at work. Do we guard against misusing it? Are we held properly accountable? Think of how Jesus shunned earthly power, riding a donkey not a horse, and heading to a cross, not a throne. 

God’s judgment is that the kingdom will be torn from Solomon (v. 11), echoing God’s judgment through Samuel to Saul (1 Samuel 15:28). However, even in judgment, there is mercy. Not all of the kingdom will be torn away: one tribe will remain (v. 13). And the judgment will be delayed: it will come after Solomon’s death (v. 12). So God’s promises to David will continue despite Solomon’s idolatry. As a result of Solomon’s sin, God also raises up adversaries from outside Israel: Hadad the Edomite (v. 14), whose story sounds like that of Moses, and Rezon from Damascus (vv. 23–25). 

It is easy for us to have seeds of sin embedded in our hearts, which are not obvious to others but harboured secretly. These seeds might be pornography, greed, racism, lust, desire for power and anger. The growth of such seeds might eventually be seen publicly, as with Solomon. But from the beginning, God sees such seeds of compromised love in our hearts.

Reflection

What are the deep loves of your heart that compete with your love of God?