Solomon: The Middle Years
Jesus. We are almost at 1 Kings 11:9 which reads, “And the LORD was angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD the God of Israel.” When did that turning begin? Was everything just fine until the multiplication of wives and women in 11:1? When did that multiplication begin? Was it chronologically with where 11:1 stands in the book, or is it just then reported at that time? Was Solomon completely devoted to the Lord and then one day wake up and decide he now wants more wives and women? No, rather the author of 1 Kings has given various hints, suggestions, and indications before that point that, though Solomon mainly served God, some things were amiss. Now in this passage we read of Solomon not giving the Hiram desirable cities. Of him having people in the land who were supposed to be devoted to destruction. He can’t (or won’t) remove them, but Pharaoh is able to come in and conquer a town in Israel. The story is not all one-sided though, for Solomon faithfully served God in his worship. The passage serves as a warning to fight the temptation to little compromises now before it is too late.