11: 1 - 43 The Sins of Solomon
King Solomon loved many foreign women from nations with which the Lord forbidden the Israelites to marry (Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites) because "they will turn your hearts to their gods" But with 700 wives and 300 concubines, his wives turned his heart to the strange gods. The Lord states that he will take away Solomon's kingdom (but not during Solomon's lifetime).
My notes: "The glorious rise of Solomon, his piety and wisdom, administrative skill and wealth, the extension of his kingdom, his prestige among neighboring rulers, his reign of peace, above all his friendship with God-these are now eclipsed by his sins of intermarriage with great numbers of pagan wives and the consequent forbidden worship of their gods. His construction of temples in their honor merited the punishment of loss of a united kingdom to his posterity, and the opposition of adversaries to himself. Hadad the Edomite rebelled against Solomon at the beginning of his reign. Rezon of Syria established a new kingdom in Damascus; Jeroboam of Israel constituted the greatest threat because of his revolt from within. This threefold threat culminated in the breakup of Solomon's kingdom."
2 comments:
God had warned not only Solomon but the entire nation of Israel about intermarrying with foreigners because they will corrupt their faith and lead them away from God. Solomon was guilty of this. Several gods are listed with the countries who worshiped them.
9-13 We are reminded that God personally appeared to Solomon twice. He appears a third time now and explains that He will take Israel away from Solomon's son. Yet, because of David, he will divide Israel and allow his son to keep 1/2.
14-25 God raised adversaries in the surrounding nations.
26-40 Jeroboam, one of Solomon's officials, was raised as an adversary from within. He was appointed by Solomon to oversee the whole labor force of the rebuilding of areas of Jerusalem. The prophet Ahijah told him of God's plan to divide the kingdom and make him the ruler of the remnant (2 sections) in David's honor. Solomon tried to kill him but Jeroboam fled to Egypt until Solomon's death.
Solomon reigned 40 years. Rehoboam, his son, succeeded him.
This shows that God can punish a nation for the actions of a wayward leader. It must be up to his advisors and citizens to help him stay on the right path. This is interesting at this time of election in our own nation.
Remember that the "nation" were the Isrealites - God's people. All Christians are God's people now (regardless of "nationality").
Post a Comment