Solomon is known in the Bible as the wisest man to ever live. He wrote 3000 proverbs and 1005 songs. People came to hear his wisdom from far and wide. He reigned when Israel was at its pinnacle!

As great as his wisdom was, today I was challenged by his failure. His fall is described in 1 Kings 11:1-9. What was his downfall? Note what part of this passage says,

“For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father…And the LORD was angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods. But he did not keep what the LORD commanded.”

The passage reveals that Solomon did not fully depart from God, but he no longer exclusively followed him. He had disobeyed God by having many wives from other nations against God’s command (Deut. 17:17). God knew the result of such marriages would be following other god’s because of their influence. Solomon no longer had God as his number one allegiance. He was now riding the fence between living his way and God’s way.

The text is careful to point out that Solomon chose this disobedience even though God had miraculously appeared to him twice! Solomon, the wisest man to ever live concluded his great reign under God’s discipline because of his shortsighted and foolish choices. Even Solomon was not immune to living for himself even though he had unsurpassed wisdom. He clearly still had a fallen nature.

Father, it is easy to idolize those in scripture who seem to have it all together. Yet your Word doesn’t hide the failures of these great men and women. Solomon had a failure of his heart. He lost his number one allegiance to you. He took for granted all that he had and his failure became clear when he was older in age. He had grown dull in his heartfelt obedience. May you give me the grace to be faithful as I age. May you give me a strong heart that longs for you above my sinful passions all my days.

Following Jesus with you,

Jeff