Daily Devotional for Wednesday, March 19

Solomon’s Disobedience

“But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites,” 1 Kings 11:1.

Several years ago, I attended a dinner with several pastors whom I have respected for many years. I was seated next to an older pastor who was retiring from his position, and we were discussing the challenges of continuing to serve the Lord as we grow older. I will never forget his words to me. He said, “I pray every day that I will remain faithful in God’s service.” I have no doubt this great man of faith will remain faithful until the Lord takes him home to glory, but the fact that this was of concern to him, and he had made it a matter of prayer in his life, was a pivotal lesson for me. 

            Solomon had every advantage in life. God had personally talked with Solomon on at least two occasions to warn him that he should walk upright and keep his commandments; however, Solomon lost his first love, “And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart” (1 Kings 11:3). Most commentators say these marriages were political in nature. Nevertheless, God had forbidden Israelites to marry women from surrounding nations; not because of the color of their skin, but because God knew their hearts would be turned away from Him to idols. In Solomon’s old age, that is exactly what happened, “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” (verse 4). 

            Solomon’s unfaithfulness to God at the end of his life cost him and every succeeding generation of the Israelites. God raised up adversaries against Solomon and soon the nation was divided. Our faithfulness matters, even in old age.

THOUGHT FOR TODAY

May we remain faithful to God and His service until He calls us home.

Karen Meigs