As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. 1 Kings 11:4
Observations: Well, what starts well doesn’t always end well. Solomon was once the man of God’s choosing with a passion for God and wisdom like none other. But disobedience (becoming wise in his own eyes) caught up with him. He acted as though he was an exception to God’s command not to intermarry with foreign women because (and there’s always a “because”) they will “turn your hearts after their gods” (v.2). But, “nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love” (v.2). This resulted in God’s judgment on his kingdom and the end of peace with his adversaries. God raised up adversaries from without and rebellion from within.
Application: Just because I start well doesn’t mean I’ll end well. When it’s all said and done, ending well depends on walking in faithful obedience to God’s direction. My human, sinful nature always questions God’s “restrictions.” Truth be told, there are times when I do not stop long enough to remember that there’s always a very good reason why God restricts. It’s always for my long-term good. Just as the LORD wanted to protect Solomon’s heart from turning away from Him, so He wants to protect me and provide for my long-term spiritual well-being. The LORD, my Heavenly Father, delights in me and desires only the very best of His life for me. And the path there is so simple: walk in full devotion to the LORD my God.
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for Your grace that saves, keeps and teaches me to live a self-controlled, upright and godly life in this present age while I wait for the blessed hope—the glorious appearing of my great God and Savior, Jesus Christ (Titus 2:11-13). Stir me to obedience and full devotion any and every time my sinful nature seeks to draw me into any way that dishonors You and turns my heart from You.
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Solomon's life serves to illustrate several very strong messages to all of the saints. One of the key messages is that God truly knows what is best for us and He gives us restrictions so that we will not hurt ourselves.
Truly the richest and wisest man who ever lived, Solomon turned from obeying God and His ordinences and began to try to pursue happiness and joy in the world and by indulging his own flesh. He truly became "wise in his own eyes", taking all of the blessings that God had given him and seeking joy in them. In his fall, he lost sight of the fact that God had blessed him abundantly so that he may serve and bless others.
In the absolute end, Solomon realizes his folly and drives the point home in Ecclesiates 1 when he says "Vanity of vanities". He admitted that with all of his self indulgences, he never truly found happiness. God is the only source of that happiness.
God used Solomon's life to illustrate this point to us all. Happiness is not found in worldly things, material things, or even the blessings from God's own hand. True happiness is only found in Him.
Adding to the strong words of the prayer above, "Father, please stir me to obedience and devotion to You with all that I say and do."
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