First Kings 11 Commentary
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Solomon dies. His forty years on the throne come to an end, but it is a real downer.
The LORD had clearly forbidden Israel from intermarriage with the Canaanites. And he was in violation of another instruction that forbade Israelite kings from marrying many women. There are always good reasons when the LORD posts instructions for the saint.
Solomon ignored these instructions and the result was idolatry. Scattering would follow soon. Solomon would be remembered as a man who expanded a united Israel and brought much wealth to the nation. But he was also the reason the nation was divided.
Solomon’s story can be an interesting case study. Mortals cannot attain immortality by physical blessings, regardless of their size. Wisdom, human authority, and power cannot help vanity. There is no substitute for obedience. When the LORD’S instructions are disobeyed, humanity can always expect repercussions. Such is the sad story of Solomon.
Look at it again. The blessings were not a time bomb. The LORD meant well.
For purposes of political expedience, Solomon married Pharaoh’s daughter. More other women were married under similar arrangements. Wanting to accommodate his partners, Solomon ended up with idolatry. This is a well-trodden path. Politics, business, entertainment, power, among others, are some of the partnerships that have caused much backsliding as saints attempt to accommodate the foreign materials. Sad. Very sad.
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