The Turning of Solomon’s Heart (1 Kings 11)

Solomon loved many foreign women although it was strictly forbidden by God. God warned that associating with them would turn away a believer’s heart and that is what happened to Solomon. He had 700 wives and princesses as well as 300 concubines (1000 total WOMEN) who turned his heart away from God (vs. 1-3). Solomon turned FROM God TO idols and gods, this was evil in the eyes of the Lord (vs. 7) and the very thing God had warned Solomon about in the conditional promise (refer to 1 Kings 2:3, 3:14, 6:12, 8:24,61 and 9:4).

The gods Solomon followed:

• Ashtoreth, the pagan goddess of the Sidonians or Canaanites. She was the goddess of fertility, love and war, who later became the wife of Baal. (vs. 5)
• Milcom, a detestable idol of Ammonites whose name meant “king”; Solomon built him sanctuaries on the Mount of Olives (vs. 5). [Remember this is where the Temple was built, so Solomon built sanctuaries of a false king where he also built a Temple to worship the true King]
• Chemosh, god of Moab whose name meant to “subdue”; Solomon built him a high place on a mountain east of Jerusalem (vs. 7)
• Molech, detestable pagan god of Ammon who was known for human sacrifices, particularly children. (vs. 7)

God had appeared to Solomon two times each time warning him to be obedient and follow God’s Ways and God’s commands. When Solomon turned from God and worshiped idols and false gods, God became angry with Solomon (vs. 9-10). God told Solomon that because of Solomon’s sin, He would tear the kingdom from Solomon’s son and give it to Solomon’s servant (vs. 11-12).

God raised 3 men who were enemies of Israel:

1. Hadad fled Edom for Egypt when Joab, David’s commander, struck down all males in Edom (vs. 15). He found great favor with Pharaoh and married Pharaoh’s sister-in-law (vs. 19). When Haddad heard David & Joab had died he returned to Edom.
2. Rezon was from Zoab; he fled to and reigned in Damascus. He hated Israel because of David (vs. 24-25)
3. Jeroboam was a servant of Solomon. He was identified as an industrious man who was appointed over the forced labor of the house of Joseph. Ahijah the Prophet told Jeroboam that God would give him 10 of the tribes of Israel (vs. 31) because they had forsaken God and worshiped idols and gods (vs. 33). Ahijah said that Solomon’s son would pay for Solomon’s sins; however, because of God’s promise to forever have His name in Jerusalem, Solomon’s son would be given 1 tribe, the tribe of Judah (vs. 35-36). Jeroboam was also offered the promise once given to David and Solomon, that IF he walked in God’s ways and kept His commands, then God would always be with him and build him an enduring house as He did for David (vs. 38-39). When Solomon heard this he sought Jeroboam to put him to death, but Jeroboam fled to Egypt.

Solomon died after reigning over Israel for 40 years (vs. 42-43)

Question to Ponder: God is concerned with the state of our heart. He is a covenant keeping God; he had a covenant with David that he kept regardless of the state of Israel. He then kept the conditional promise he made to Solomon regarding Solomon walking in God’s ways as well as the promise he made to Solomon to keep His name in Jerusalem. Examine your heart; is it completely and fully devoted to God? Are there any areas that need to be cleansed, if so go to the Lord whole heartedly He is faithful and merciful.