Do you have a pet sin? An area where you convince yourself what you’re doing is okay?
Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived. Kings from around the world came to visit and listen to his wisdom. He could explain the world—from people and politics to the mysteries of plants and animals and weather. Solomon had the answers, and grew fabulously wealthy in part because the wealth of other kingdoms was brought to him by the kings and courtiers that sought an audience with him.
But Solomon had a pet sin, and it came back to bite him—hard.
“Solomon loved many foreign [idol worshipping] women …. Solomon was deeply attached to these women and loved them. He had 700 wives who were princesses and 300 concubines, and they turned his heart away from the Lord. When Solomon was old, his wives seduced him to follow other gods. He was not completely devoted to Yahweh as his father David had been … Solomon did what was evil in the Lord’s sight” 1 Kings 11:1-6.
Solomon was a rock star–today’s celebrities are the closest thing to a king most Americans can understand: everyone loved, admired, even worshipped the king. But like a rock star, the king was really just a man. Solomon loved women and let himself be taken in. He was distracted and he was influenced. They loved their idols, so he got used to the idols and eventually joined in. It began with little things: first, he tolerated idols. Then he appreciated the fine carving of the ivory or the beautiful hammered gold—and finally he joined in. He was singing the songs, raising his hands and praising idols.
And God could not allow that. So He raised up Solomon’s servant Jeroboam to rebel against Solomon and steal away 10 of the 12 tribes.
“I will humble David’s descendants because of their unfaithfulness, but not forever” 1 Kings 11:39.
Solomon had it all: the crown, the riches, the genius mind that was the envy of the world, and he threw it away in pursuit of beautiful women who worshipped idols. Solomon, the wisest man, acted foolishly because he ignored his pet sin. What he should have done is apply his vast wisdom to his habits with the ladies. The pitfall in front of him could have been easily avoided.
“Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain. But a woman who fears the Lord, SHE SHALL BE PRAISED” Proverbs 31:30. (AMEN!)
God, please reveal to us any sin we ignore. Never let us throw away your blessings in our foolish pursuit of sin.
ΑΩ
Household Words: 