Unlikely: Solomon
Solomon was the third king of Israel. He is known for his wisdom, his wealth, and his women. He had a divided heart and did not fully follow the Lord. His station in life as king was unlikely in four distinct ways:
1. His family of origin – 2 Samuel 12:24 shows us that Solomon’s parents, David and
Bathsheba, should have NEVER been a couple.
2. His dysfunctional family – 1 Kings 1:5
3. His marriage to Pharaoh’s daughter and worship of false gods – 1 Kings 3:1-3
4. His wisdom was gifted to him – 1 Kings 3:9; 1 Kings 4:29-34
However…his life had a terrifying turn! He did evil in the sight of the Lord (1 Kings 11:1-8). He began to compromise and “add” to his faith. This is called syncretism.
Deuteronomy 17:14-20 gave very clear laws concerning the kings which included:
1. Do not acquire many horses – (
2 Chron. 9:25) – “Now Solomon had 4,000 stalls for horses and chariots and 12,000 horsemen, and he stationed them in the chariot cities and with the king in Jerusalem.”
2. Do not return to Egypt – (1 Kings 3:1-3) – Solomon married Pharaoh’s daughter and built an alliance with Egypt.
3. Do not acquire many wives – (I Kings 11:1-13) – Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, many from foreign countries that God forbid intermarriage with.
4. Do not acquire excessive gold or silver – (2 Chronicles 9:13-29) – in today’s dollars, Solomon’s net worth would have been around 2.2 trillion dollars.
The final “rule” for a king of Israel is found in Deut 17:18-20: “And when he sits on the throne of his kingdom, he shall write for himself in a book a copy of this law, approved by the Levitical priests. And it shall be with him, and he shall read in it all the days of his life, that he may learn to fear the Lord his God by keeping all the words of this law and these statutes, and doing them, that his heart may not be lifted up above his brothers, and that he may not turn aside from the commandment, either to the right hand or to the left, so that he may continue long in his kingdom, he and his children, in Israel.”
This aligns with what his father, David, found important and blessed Solomon with in his last days. He says, “be strong and show yourself a man and keep the charge of the Lord your God, walking in his ways and keeping his statutes, his commandments, his rules, and his testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses…”
Unfortunately, Solomon’s compromise led to a divided Kingdom and lots of pain and suffering. He did not hold fast to God’s word and obey it.
Our masculinity or femininity is shown in our obedience to God. He calls us to a “whole heart” for him. Thankfully, a king came named Jesus, and He rules with His whole heart. He is the example!
To Discuss Today:
1. In what ways do you have a divided heart for God? Where are you allowing other ideas to get added to the purity of God’s Truth?
2. Confess to God where you have a divided heart. Ask the Holy Spirit to make you aware of what is needed to have a whole heart.
