Solomon: The Costly Drift

1 Kings 11 

The Ten Signposts of the Bible
CAMDE—400—CALY
Creation. Abraham. Moses. DAVID. Elijah. 400. Christ. Apostles. Letters. Yet-to-Come.

In the Old Testament book of Ruth, we meet a young Moabite widow who leaves her homeland to live in Bethlehem with her mother-in-law, Naomi. Though she had grown up knowing only Chemosh, the god of Moab, Ruth came to know Yahweh through the influence of her husband and his family. Longing for Naomi’s people to become her people and for Naomi’s God to become her God, Ruth moved to Israel.

Let’s fast-forward. Ruth married Boaz, an Israelite, and had a son, Obed. Obed fathered Jesse, Jesse fathered David, and David fathered Solomon. In light of that lineage, it is surprising to read that during Solomon’s reign, Ruth’s great-great-grandson introduced Chemosh to Israel by building “a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab” (1 Kgs. 11:7).

How did that happen?! Why did that happen?

Great Blessings. Slow Drift. 
God blessed David’s son Solomon with wealth and wisdom. Israel’s economy thrived under his kingship. Silver was as common as stone (1 Kgs. 10:27). Dignitaries flooded Jerusalem to hear Solomon expound on a wide range of subjects. People “of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon” (1 Kgs. 4:34).

But beneath the royal receptions, the wealth, the wisdom, and the impressive building projects, Solomon had a heart issue: he “loved many foreign women” (1 Kgs. 11:1). He took wives “from the nations concerning which the LORD had said to the people of Israel, ‘You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods’” (1 Kgs. 11:2). 

By the end, Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines— numbers that are truly staggering. Some might argue that he married these women for political reasons, using marriage to forge  strong alliances with neighboring countries. While that does not justify his actions, it may at least offer a plausible explanation.

Solomon’s Downfall
However, forming political ties doesn’t seem to be the real story. Scripture presents a very different picture: “Solomon clung to these [women] in love” (1 Kgs. 11:2). Moreover, rather than leading these women to the living God, Solomon allowed “his wives [to turn] away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father” (1 Kgs. 11:4). After years of following God and experiencing overwhelming blessings, Solomon compromised his faith by turning to pagan worship.

1 Kings 11:5-8
For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and did not wholly follow the LORD, as David his father had done. Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites, on the mountain east of Jerusalem. And so he did for all his foreign wives, who made offerings and sacrificed to their gods. 

God appeared to Solomon twice, offering abundant blessings and warning him specifically against disobedience (1 Kgs. 3:5; 9:2). Yet Solomon did not follow God’s directives, and the consequences were severe: after his reign, the unified kingdom would be divided. Even then, God declared, “However, I will not tear away all the kingdom, but I will give one tribe to your son, for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem that I have chosen” (1 Kgs. 11:13). 

Enter Jeroboam and Rehoboam 
God sent the prophet Ahijah to a man named Jeroboam, who had been Solomon’s servant.  Ahijah explained that God was going to take the kingdom from Solomon’s family and give ten tribes to Jeroboam. God told him, “Yet to [Solomon’s] son I will give one tribe, that David my servant may always have a lamp before me in Jerusalem, the city where I have chosen to put my name. And I will take you, and you shall reign over all that your soul desires, and you shall be king over Israel” (1 Kgs. 11:36–37). 

When Solomon learned of God’s plan, he tried to kill Jeroboam, but Jeroboam fled to Egypt. Even King Solomon couldn’t thwart God’s plans! After Solomon died, his son Rehoboam took his place as ruler. Jeroboam, however, would soon reenter the picture. 

Let's conclude today by reflecting on the highs and lows of Solomon’s life. 

Solomon’s Start
Solomon began his reign with humility, acknowledging his inexperience and asking God for wisdom. In response, God granted him extraordinary wisdom, discernment, and an abundance of wealth. 

Solomon’s Height
Solomon’s wealth and fame were unmatched in his day. People from across the known world came to hear his wisdom and knowledge on a wide range of subjects, and to behold the splendor of Jerusalem, where silver was as common as stones. 

Solomon’s Drift
When and how does a person’s heart begin to drift? Solomon devoted significant time and resources to build a magnificent temple for God, yet he neglected to guard his own heart. His love for foreign women led to his downfall, as they turned his heart toward their gods, despite God’s clear warning.

That drift proved extremely costly for the nation of Israel, and that’s where we’ll begin next time. 

PERSONAL TIME WITH GOD
Read and reflect on 1 Kings 11.  What small compromises in your life could be leading you toward a divided heart?

Talking to God: Ask God to point out the compromises. 

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