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. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord.” I Kings 11:4–6. The after effects of this tragic account are still plaguing us today.
Solomon—the wisest king that ever reigned over ancient Israel—in his old age went after strange idol gods. It is doubtful if there is anyone reading this article that has a brass or a stone god that is worshipped. Nevertheless, this story has great significance for modern Israel.
“The Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods: but he kept not that which the Lord commanded. Wherefore the Lord said unto Solomon, Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept my covenant and my statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant.” I Kings 11:9–11.
Unfailing promises
Had not God given this promise, “Behold, a son shall be born to thee, who shall be a man of rest; and I will give him rest from all his enemies round about: for his name shall be Solomon, and I will give peace and quietness unto Israel in his days. He shall build a house for my name; and he shall be my son, and I will be his father; and I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel for ever”? I Chronicles 22: 9, 10. [All emphasis supplied]
How could it be that in 1 Kings 11:11 the Word came to Solomon and said to him, “I’m going to tear the kingdom away from you”? How could both Words of the Lord be true?
God’s Word is true for all ages, for all people, for every person, for every institution, for every home, for every church. “And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it; if it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.” Jeremiah 18:9, 10. God has a book full of promises and warnings. The unfailing promises are given on condition of obedience, and warnings are given to the disobedient. The disobedient cannot claim the unfailing promises.
Solomon’s fall was silent and imperceptible. He did not realize that he was walking one step at a time down the path of rebellion against God. What were those silent and imperceptible steps?
The First Step
“Prominent among the primary causes that led Solomon into extravagance and oppression was his failure to maintain and foster the spirit of self-sacrifice.” Prophets and Kings, 61. This was the first step as he started walking down the road of apostasy and oppression.
Solomon was a genius. He built the temple for the Lord. But in this very thing he took a step that led him down the path of apostasy.
God had given to the tribes of Dan and Judah special skill in workmanship. In the wilderness tabernacle, it was the tribes of Judah and Dan that did the fine craftsmanship. Their descendants, even in Solomon’s day, inherited to a large degree the talents conferred on their forefathers. “For a time these men of Judah and Dan remained humble and unselfish; but gradually, almost imperceptibly, they lost their hold upon God and their desire to serve Him unselfishly. They asked higher wages for their services, because of their superior skill as workmen in the finer arts. In some instances their request was granted, but more often they found employment in the surrounding nations. In place of the noble spirit of self-sacrifice that had filled the hearts of their illustrious ancestors, they indulged in a spirit of covetousness.” Ibid., 62.
Solomon sought for a very skilled workman, an artisan, to build the temple. He found a man from another country named Huram. His mother was of the tribe of Dan. Huram was a descendant, on his mother’s side, of Aholiab. Hundreds of years before, God had given him special skill on the construction of the tabernacle in the wilderness. His father was of the King of Tyre, and was not a worshipper of the true God. He was selfish. “Because of his unusual skill, Huram demanded large wages.” Ibid., 64. This demand was granted him.
“Gradually the wrong principles that he cherished came to be accepted by his associates. As they labored with him day after day, they yielded to the inclination to compare his wages with their own, and they began to lose sight of the holy character of their work. The spirit of self-denial left them, and in its place came the spirit of covetousness. The result was a demand for higher wages, which was granted.
“The baleful influences thus set in operation permeated all branches of the Lord’s service and extended throughout the kingdom. The high wages demanded and received gave to many an opportunity to indulge in luxury and extravagance. The poor were oppressed by the rich; the spirit of self-sacrifice was well nigh lost. In the far-reaching effects of these influences may be traced one of the principle causes of the terrible apostasy of him who was once numbered among the wisest of mortals.” Ibid. Have we repeated this today? Recently, administrators in the Adventist Health System were demanding high wages, similar to those in the world. Yes, we have been taking the same steps.
We are told in the Spirit of Prophecy; “continual giving starves covetousness.” Testimonies, vol. 3, 548. We should be giving of our lives, of our time, of our means, continually, to starve the covetousness out of our hearts.
The Second Step
The second step in Solomon’s apostasy was self-glorification, seeking, taking, and letting people give you glory that belongs only to God. “Another of the deviations from right principles that finally led to the downfall of Israel’s king was his yielding to the temptation to take to himself the glory that belongs to God alone.” Prophets and Kings, 65.
Solomon was once young and tender. When he prayed at the dedication of the temple he was humble. “Had Solomon continued in humility of mind to turn the attention of men from himself to the One who had given him wisdom and riches and honor, what a history might have been his! But while the pen of inspiration records his virtues, it also bears faithful witness to his downfall. Raised to a pinnacle of greatness and surrounded with the gifts of fortune, Solomon became dizzy, lost his balance, and fell. Constantly extolled by men of the world, he was at length unable to withstand the flattery offered him.” Ibid., 68.
“Man cannot show greater weakness than by allowing men to ascribe to him the honor for gifts that are Heaven-bestowed.” Ibid., 68. The Lord gives us one gift after another; the gift of mercy, of love, of forgiveness—the daily gifts that sustain our lives. We must give to God all the glory and credit.
The third Step
“The introduction of principles leading away from the spirit of sacrifice and tending toward self-glorification, was accompanied by yet another gross perversion of the divine plan for Israel. God had designed that His people should be the light of the world.” Prophets and Kings, 70. But Solomon lost his missionary spirit—that was the third step downward. He replaced it with a spirit of commercialism. “Placed at the head of a nation that had been set as a beacon light to the surrounding nations, Solomon should have used his God-given wisdom and power of influence in organizing and directing a great movement for the enlightenment of those who were ignorant of God and His truth. Thus multitudes would have been won to allegiance to the divine precepts, Israel would have been shielded from the evils practiced by the heathen, and the Lord of glory would have been greatly honored. But Solomon lost sight of this high purpose. He failed of improving his splendid opportunities for enlightening those who were continually passing through his territory or tarrying at the principal cities.” Ibid., 71. The Lord in His wisdom, placed Israel where the centers of travel from east to west, and north to south, went right through their nation. As travelers went through those cities, the Israelites could teach them of the God of heaven, and of His law. These travelers could take it back to their own nation, and the whole world would have known about God. In this way, God provided Solomon with a way to teach the nations without becoming corrupted by their idols.
“He failed of improving his splendid opportunities for enlightening those who were continually passing through his territory or tarrying at the principal cities . . . The missionary spirit that God had implanted in the heart of Solomon and in the hearts of all true Israelites was supplanted by a spirit of commercialism.” Ibid., 71. He figured out a way, by all those travelers passing through those cities, to make money from them. This was very displeasing to God.
Unholy Alliance
Solomon made an alliance with the nation of Egypt. God had forbidden this. “Satan knew the results that would attend obedience; and during the earlier years of Solomon’s reign—years glorious because of the wisdom, the beneficence, and the uprightness of the king—he sought to bring in influences that would insidiously undermine Solomon’s loyalty to principle and cause him to separate from God. That the enemy was successful in his effort, we know from the record: ‘Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh’s daughter, and brought her into the City of David.’ ” Ibid., 53.
“From a human point of view, this marriage, though contrary to the teachings of God’s law, seemed to prove a blessing; for Solomon’s heathen wife was converted and united with him in the worship of the true God.” Ibid. Then Solomon married many women—seven-hundred wives and three-hundred concubines. “More and more the king came to regard luxury, self-indulgence, and the favor of the world as indications of greatness. Beautiful and attractive women were brought from Egypt, Phoenicia, Edom, Moab, and from many other places. These women were numbered by hundreds. Their religion was idol worship, and they had been taught to practice cruel and degrading rites. Infatuated with their beauty, the king neglected his duties to God and to his kingdom.” Ibid., 56.
On the mountain facing the backside of the temple, Solomon built many piles of buildings to the gods of the other nations. Right in the shadow of the temple of the living God, under those trees, his heathen wives practiced degrading heathen rites. How could it ever happen? We need to be very wary of taking the first step in apostasy, because none of us know how low we can go.
Except for the Grace of God
When walking down the streets of Chicago, Dwight L. Moody came to a drunk man lying in the gutter. He got down on his knees and turned the drunk over. With tears streaming down his face he said: “Except for the grace of God, there lies Dwight L. Moody.” Do not look around and say, “Oh, how could they do it?” Friends, you and I can go straight to the bottom. We would be there right now except for the grace of God.
“From being one of the greatest kings that ever wielded a scepter, Solomon became a profligate, the tool and slave of others. His character, once noble and manly, became enervated and effeminate. His faith in the living God was supplanted by atheistic doubts. Unbelief marred his happiness, weakened his principles, and degraded his life. The justice and magnanimity of his early reign were changed to despotism and tyranny. Poor, frail human nature! God can do little for men who lose their sense of dependence upon Him.” Prophets and Kings, 58.
“By messages of reproof and by severe judgments, He sought to arouse the king to a realization of the sinfulness of his course. He removed His protecting care.” Prophets and Kings, 77.
Everything is for our benefit. Every trial that comes our way will help us. God could not talk to Solomon by blessings bestowed, so He talked to Solomon by blessings removed. “He removed His protecting care and permitted adversaries to harass and weaken the kingdom. The Lord stirred up an adversary.” Ibid., 77. Hadad the Edomite and Rezon lifted up their hand against the king. Praise the Lord, the trials did their mission of love. “For him at last the discipline of suffering had accomplished its work. Long had he been harassed by the fear of utter ruin because of inability to turn from folly.” Ibid., 77.
“None who have fallen need give up to despair. Aged men, once honored of God, may have defiled their souls, sacrificing virtue on the alter of lust; but if they repent, forsake sin, and turn to God, there is still hope for them.” Ibid., 84.
“Solomon’s repentance was sincere but, the harm that his example of evil-doing had wrought could not be undone . . . He could never hope to escape the blasting results of sin, he could never free his mind from all remembrance of the self-indulgent course he had been pursuing.” Ibid., 84. The seed was sown and there was a bitter harvest. While Solomon is enjoying eternal life—there will be many, that will be lost because of his influence. Can your mind take that in?
“And Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.” I Kings 11:43.
Modern Israel and Idolatry
“Modern Israel are in greater danger of forgetting God and being led into idolatry than were His ancient people. Many idols are worshipped, even by professed Sabbathkeepers. God especially charged His ancient people to guard against idolatry, for if they should be led away from serving the living God, His curse would rest upon them, while if they would love Him with all their heart, with all their soul, and with all their might, He would abundantly bless them in basket and in store, and would remove sickness from the midst of them.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 609.
Possessions: “Jesus immediately tears off his sense of security by referring to his idols, his possessions. He had other gods before the Lord, which were of greater value to him than eternal life. Supreme love to God was lacking. Thus it is with some who profess to believe the truth. They think they are perfect, think that there is no lack, when they are far from perfection and are cherishing idols which will shut them out of heaven.” Testimonies, vol. 1, 484.
Appetite: “They have other gods before the Lord. Their taste, their appetite, is their god.” Ibid., 486. Then there is pride of dress and love of money—anything that you worship and you love more than God, is an idol.
Rehoboam
Solomon slept with his fathers and Rehoboam, his son, went to Shechem to receive the kingdom. Solomon, because of his devotion for idolatrous luxury, had overtaxed the people. The people said to Rehoboam, “Thy father made our yoke grievous: now therefore make thou the grievous service of thy father, and his heavy yoke which he put upon us, lighter, and we will serve thee.” I Kings 12:4. Rehoboam sent them away for three days. He asked counsel of the old counselors that stood before his father. They said, “Give the people what they want and they will serve you for ever.”
That did not satisfy Rehoboam. “And the young men who were grown up with him spake unto him, saying, Thus shalt thou speak unto this people that spake unto thee, saying, Thy father made our yoke heavy, but make thou it lighter unto us; thus shalt thou say unto them, My little finger shall be thicker than my father’s loins and now whereas my father did lade you with a heavy yoke, I will add to your yoke: my father hath chastised you with whips, but I will chastise you with scorpions.” I Kings 12:10. “Their expressed determination to perpetuate and add to the oppression introduced during Solomon’s reign was in direct conflict with God’s plan for Israel, and gave the people ample occasion to doubt the sincerity of their motives.” Prophets and Kings, 90.
Those that had studied the Word of God, the true and faithful in Israel, knew that the Messiah was to come through Solomon. God had promised that Solomon’s throne would be established forever. But even though the promised Messiah was through this lineage, God had a different idea about the government than Rehoboam had. “The Lord did not allow Rehoboam to carry out the policy he had outlined. Among the tribes were many thousands who had become thoroughly aroused over the oppressive measures of Solomon’s reign, and these now felt that they could not do otherwise than rebel, against the house of David.” Ibid. “So Israel rebelled against the house of David unto this day.” I Kings 12:19. Was that wicked? Friends, it is never wicked to rebel against sin. It is never wicked to protest against idolatry. It is always right to stand up for God’s law. The Bible says, “the cause was from the Lord.”
The Kingdom was rent
The kingdom was rent. The very throne that God established, He removed. The kingdom that had been established by God was rent. The throne, the people, that the Messiah was to come through, was rent. Whenever we enter into idolatry, the rending of the kingdom is sure to come.
“The high-handed power that has been developed, as though position has made men gods, makes me afraid, and ought to cause fear. It is a curse wherever and by whomsoever it is exercised.” Testimonies to Ministers, 362.
“This lording it over God’s heritage will create such a disgust of man’s jurisdiction that a state of insubordination will result . . . ‘All ye are brethren.’ This disposition to lord it over God’s heritage will cause a reaction unless these men change their course. When men who profess to serve God ignore His parental character and depart from honor and righteousness in dealing with their fellowmen, Satan exults, for he has inspired them with his attributes. They are following in the track of Romanism.” Ibid.
Friends, are we following any less today in the track of Romanism than in 1895? I think we are further down the path.
“When one who professes to be a representative of Christ engages in sharp dealing and in pressing men into hard places, those who are thus oppressed will either break every fetter of restraint or they will be led to regard God as a hard master.” Ibid., 363.
“In order to reign and become a power, they employ Satan’s methods to justify their own principles. They exalt themselves as men of superior judgment, and they have stood as representatives of God. These are false gods.” Ibid., 364.
Elijah came, but the ten tribes went deeper and deeper into apostasy until they were dispersed among the nations centuries before A. D. 34. By that time there was a small remnant left of the original nation. God still works upon the same plan. He will never harbor sin in any form.
“The Lord Jesus will always have a chosen people to serve Him. When the Jewish people rejected Christ, the Prince of life, He took from them the kingdom of God and gave it unto the Gentiles. God will continue to work on this principle with every branch of His work. When a church proves unfaithful to the work of the Lord, whatever their position may be, however high and sacred their calling, the Lord can no longer work with them. Others are then chosen to bear important responsibilities. But, if these in turn do not purify their lives from every wrong action, if they do not establish pure and holy principles in all their borders, then the Lord will grievously afflict and humble them and, unless they repent, will remove them from their place and make them a reproach.” Upward Look, 131.
God has not made any new plan to work upon. He’s working upon the same plan as He worked on then and as He works on now. When all was in apostasy, He had a church. He’s always had a remnant to serve Him, and it has always been His church. “The church is God’s fortress, His city of refuge, which He holds in a revolted world. Any betrayal of the church is treachery to Him who has bought mankind with the blood of His only-begotten Son. From the beginning, faithful souls have constituted the church on earth.” Acts of Apostles, 11. It does not say the invisible church on earth. It says the church on earth. That is a definition statement.
Some of those souls are Joseph, Caleb and Joshua, Elijah, Nehemiah, Ruth, Mordecai, Daniel, Paul, Wycliff, Huss, John Wesley, William Miller, James White, and many others. They are not invisible. Their work has stood the most visible of all time and eternity. God has always had them.
“A blessing or a curse is now before the people of God—a blessing if they come out from the world and are separate, and walk in the path of humble obedience; and a curse if they unite with the idolatrous, who trample upon the high claims of heaven. The sins and iniquities of rebellious Israel are recorded and the picture presented before us as a warning that if we imitate their example of transgression and depart from God we shall fall as surely as did they.” Testimonies, vol, 1, 609.
We don’t have God held hostage—not one of us here. He does not have to use us. He is not dependent on us. But He will use whomever humbles their soul before God, and lets Him purify their soul. May the Lord bless you.
The End