King Solomon (1 Kings 1-11) wisdom peace temple polygamy idolatry

1 King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women besides Pharaoh’s daughter – Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. 2 They were from nations about which the Lord had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.” Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love.  3 He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray.  1 Kings 11:1-13 (p. 191-192, The Story)

4 As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been.  5 He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites.  6 So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the Lord; he did not follow the Lord completely, as David his father had done. 7 On a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable god of Moab, and for Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites.  1 Kings 11:1-13 (p. 191-192, The Story)

8 He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and offered sacrifices to their gods. 9 The Lord became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the Lord, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.  10 Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the Lord’s command.  1 Kings 11:1-13 (p. 191-192, The Story)

11 So the Lord said to Solomon, “Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates.  12 “Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son.  13 “Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom from him, but will give him one tribe for the sake of David my servant and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.” 1 Kings 11:1-13 (p. 191-192, The Story)

Jesus said, “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.” Matthew 19:5 The king, moreover, must not acquire great numbers of horses for himself from Egypt…. He must not take many wives, or his heart will be led astray. He must not accumulate large amounts of silver and gold. Deuteronomy 17:16-17

The Lord had said, “You must not intermarry with them, because they will surely turn your hearts after their gods.” Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love.  1 Kings 11:2 (bottom of p. 191, The Story)

5 He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites.  7 On a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the detestable god of Moab, and for Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites.  8 He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and offered sacrifices to their gods. 1 Kings 11:5, 7, 8 (p. 192, The Story)

Takeaway 1: How we live matters. How we live affects others. We all leave a legacy. It’s one thing to start well, but it’s a better thing to end well.

Cohabitation Cohabitation has increased 900% over the last 50 years. In 2012, over 15.5 million unmarried people were living together. Only 27% of Americans disapprove of cohabitation.

Cohabitation A couple that doesn’t live together before marriage has a 20% chance of divorce within five years; a couple that lives together before marriage has a 49% chance of divorce within five years. 62% of unmarried couples who live together either break up before marriage or end up getting divorced within ten years.

Marriage must be respected by all, and the marriage bed kept undefiled, because God will judge immoral people and adulterers. Hebrews 13:4

Takeaway 1: How we live matters. How we live affects others. We all leave a legacy. It’s one thing to start well, but it’s a better thing to end well. Takeaway 2: We do not make the rules. God does. Men – take the lead and choose to keep the marriage bed undefiled. Repent. Speak to your children/grandchildren about the beauty of sexual purity. Remember: there is grace; you can make a fresh start.