February 5, 2023

So King Solomon surpassed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom. 1 Kings 10:23

In God’s Word, we are often presented with character contrasts between people who wholeheartedly love and serve God and people who do not. It is a lesson of greater worth than many realize, for by it willing hearts can be enabled to grasp just how committed—or uncommitted—they are to Him, and hopefully make any needed adjustments to move toward harmony with His word.  

But one of the starkest contrasts presented is in a single man. Solomon was called the wisest man who ever lived. As a young and tender ruler, new to the throne, he asked God for wisdom. This was very pleasing to God, who generously granted the request. King Solomon led the nation of Israel to its zenith. The world got a glimpse of the “peculiar people” who were incredibly blessed by God. But it was only a glimpse . . .

“So gradual was Solomon’s apostasy that before he was aware of it, he had wandered far from God. Almost imperceptibly he began to trust less and less in divine guidance and blessing, and to put confidence in his own strength. Little by little he withheld from God that unswerving obedience which was to make Israel a peculiar people, and he conformed more and more closely to the customs of the surrounding nations. Yielding to the temptations incident to his success and his honored position, he forgot the Source of his prosperity. An ambition to excel all other nations in power and grandeur led him to pervert for selfish purposes the heavenly gifts hitherto employed for the glory of God.

“The conscientious, considerate spirit that had marked his dealings with people during the early part of his reign was now changed. From the wisest and most merciful of rulers, he degenerated into a tyrant. Heavy taxation and acquisition of horses, chariots, and wives became the source of complaints of the Israelites. His idol-worshiping wives exerted a strong influence over him and gradually prevailed on him to unite with them in their worship. He disregarded the instruction that God had given to serve as a barrier against apostasy, and now he gave himself up to the worship of false gods (see 1 Kings 11:4,5). He who in his youth was endowed with discretion and understanding, and who in his strong manhood had been inspired to write:

“There is a way which seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death.” Proverbs 14:12

“in later years departed so far from purity as to become himself an offender, in heart and life denying his own words.” from Prophets and Kings by E.G.White (chapter 3)

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable… 1 Corinthians 15:58a

For we have become partakers of Christ if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast to the end. Hebrews 3:14