The Fall of Solomon

“When Solomon was old his wives had turned his heart to follow other gods, and his heart was not entirely with the LORD, his God, as the heart of David his father had been.” (1 Kings 11:4)

Solomon is a man of many superlatives:  wisest man in the world, richest man, most powerful, etc, etc.  Yet he did not believe God when God warned him that foreign wives would betray his heart.  His fall from grace is tragic.  When I read this story this morning, I was sad.  I thought:  “If this could happen to Solomon, it could happen to anybody.”  St Paul warns us to work out our salvation in fear and trembling. 

That which could snare your heart will unless you are fully armed and vigilant.  There is no mercy for the slothful or the presumptuous. 

“The LORD became angry with Solomon, because his heart turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice” (1 Kings 11:9)

To him whom much is given much would be expected.  Much is given to Solomon:  wisdom, knowledge, power and wealth.  He had everything in superabundant proportions.  But he lacked only one thing.  He lacked a believing and obedient heart.  This is the great difference between him and his father David.  David trusted God in everything.  He was well aware of his human weakness.  Solomon was not.

The response to this scripture is:

“Blessed are they who observe what is right, who do always what is just.”  (Psalm 106: 3)

Do you notice the word “always”?  Always means that 99% will not be good enough.  99% of purity or honesty is not good enough.  What is needed is perseverance to the end, that is 100%.  Solomon persevered in the good way till he was old.