1 Kings 11:1-8 “But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; Of the nations concerning which the LORD said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love. And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.”
In the days of kings, there was a philosophy that was considered very wise by many nations. That philosophy was to join two nations together through marriage to ensure peace. If a king attacked a nation that his child was married to their leader or king, then it would be like the king attacking his child. No king wanted to hurt their child’s welfare or jeopardize them by battles or war. Sometimes the marriage would happen through the son or daughter of a king; sometimes a king would take on multiple wives himself to ensure peace between 2 countries. That kind of philosophy was regarded very highly because wars are not only expensive, but the high cost of losing many men proved to be too much for some nations as it weakened that country.
When God raised up Saul as king, the high priest Samuel, gave the people a warning from God found in I Samuel: Now therefore behold the king whom ye have chosen, and whom ye have desired! and, behold, the LORD hath set a king over you. If ye will fear the LORD, and serve him, and obey his voice, and not rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall both ye and also the king that reigneth over you continue following the LORD your God: But if ye will not obey the voice of the LORD, but rebel against the commandment of the LORD, then shall the hand of the LORD be against you, as it was against your fathers.(1 Samuel 12:13-15). These words give the warning from God about what will happen if they turn away from serving and worshiping God.
It is extremely important to God that we do things His way. God wanted the Israelites and every king to serve and worship God the way that God wanted them. When they disobeyed, God sent His judgement upon them. A good question to ask ourselves in our lives is, “Is this how God wants it done?” His instructions that are found in the Bible are always better than my opinion and your opinion. His ways are better than our ways. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Whose ways are you following? Whose thoughts are in your mind? We should do it God’s way….what am I talking about?…everything…even the things that God is putting on your heart right now. What Solomon did not realize was that his wives would turn away his heart from the Lord who gave him his kingdom and wisdom. King Solomon had a sad ending to his life by serving other gods. Last question, whose way are you following?
Pastor CW Kennedy
Madison Street Baptist Church | Athens, AL
