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Who marries 700 women, has 300 concubines, follows their foreign gods, and yet still constructs the most elaborate temple for Jehovah God? The same man who is known as “the Preacher,” the wisest and richest man to walk the earth (second only in wisdom to Christ, of course). Solomon.
As the book of Ecclesiastes confirms, Solomon denied himself nothing. And he paid for it dearly. He forgot his own admonition at the end of the book to fear God and keep his commands.
Just as God had warned, Solomon was led astray by his foreign wives and began to worship their gods. He even built high places for the various gods that each of his different wives worshipped.
This angered God greatly and he would’ve completely stripped the kingdom from Solomon but for his promise to David. Solomon broke his covenant with God, so God tore the kingdom from him—not during his rule and not 100% of the kingdom, again, because of God’s promise to David (1 Kings 11:1-13).
What would’ve happened had Solomon followed his own advice—practiced what he preached?
In Proverbs 18:22, Solomon says that he who finds a wife finds a good thing, but he was unable to describe the virtuous wife in Proverbs 31… We look to King Lemuel for that account.
I suppose that if finding a wife means you find a good thing, finding 700 wives is even better? Not really. Maybe that’s why he dedicates two and a half chapters in Proverbs warning against adultery, in addition to a warning in Ecclesiastes 9:9 to enjoy life with the wife whom you love.
While it is easy to point our finger of blame at Solomon for not practicing what he preached as it related to his wives, the graver and more foundational error was not fearing God or keeping his commands.
Are you practicing what you preach?
What does it mean to fear God and keep his commands today?
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Growing up knowing the history between mom and dad, I was unsure what my future would hold. Dad was a well-respected leader and had a special relationship with God, even though the way he and mom met was a definite low point in what many saw as a blameless life.
Dad repented and truly sought after God’s heart. And hearing all the promises that dad said would come about because he believed God’s Word was inspiring. However, it made me more nervous when one of those promises declared me the next king…
My name is Solomon and I was scared. Many of my brothers wanted to be king and yet I was the one chosen to carry on the family name, the legacy of faithful rule by following God.
Therefore, when God clarified my appointment and asked me what I wanted, in a dream, I asked for wisdom—understanding and discernment with which to govern his people. God was so pleased with my request that he granted me wisdom, as well as riches and honor beyond measure (1 Kings 3:5-14).
One of the first tests of my wisdom was also one of the most memorable… Two women came to me, both claiming to be the mother of the same baby. As they fought over the child and presented their case, God provided me with insight—wisdom with which to make a ruling. I suggested that we cut the baby in half and give each woman half of the child. The true mother cried out, “No! She can have the baby. Don´t hurt him!” Her willingness to sacrifice was a clear demonstration of the love she had for what was rightfully her child.
This story of wisdom, and many others, became known throughout Israel and among other nations. Many came to visit and see for themselves.
I shared much of my wisdom and wrote about it. Too bad I didn’t practice some of what I preached…
Stay tuned for more of Solomon’s story and the wisdom God granted him in the blog posts over the next two days.