Solomon’s Folly

Solomon’s Folly

As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God.

1 Kings 11:4

IN WORD He is known as the wisest man in history. Rulers came from distant countries to hear him speak. He wrote proverbs and poems for posterity, inspired by God to pen substantial portions of Scripture. And still, in spite of all his wisdom, he made the unwisest decision of all. He went after other gods.

Why would Solomon do such a thing? Early in his reign he had asked God for wisdom, and God answered with that and more. And after years of faithful service as king and sage, Solomon did the unthinkable. He built “high places” for his wives. He aided and abetted the worship of Chemosh and Molech. Why?

Surely Solomon’s unfaithfulness was not planned. Neither was it an abrupt break with “the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice” (v. 9). It was apparently gradual, the result of being married to so many women from different countries. The text implies a slow turn—“as [he] grew old”—where the black line between obedience and disobedience grew wider and grayer. Little by little, he let his devotion to his God slip and his devotion to his wives take God’s place. Though he may never have worshiped other gods wholeheartedly, he let his wives become his idols. They became more important to him than God’s clear instructions.

IN DEED We can relate. There are things in our lives that gradually turn our hearts. At first they seem innocent, but over time they insidiously steal our worship. They redirect us from a pure heart toward God to a mixed heart toward whatever makes us feel good. We, like Solomon, become idolaters.

Solomon’s apostasy is scary. If the wisest man in the Bible could fall, how are we immune? We’re not. That’s why we have to avoid Solomon’s error. We have to abruptly stop the gradual turning of our hearts, and focus them where they belong—on the will of the only true God.

That to which your heart clings is your god.

—MARTIN LUTHER