DAILY GUIDE DEVOTIONAL: "But Solomon Loved Many Strange Women"

 Text: 1 Kings 11:1-25

This passage is of much solemn value. It is a strict warning to any man who feels that he is standing to take heed lest he falls. Solomon was the wisest man who ever lived. His Proverbs and wise sayings are of rich spiritual values, continuously relevant for every age. His life was most promising, full of great spiritual experience and privilege, yet he fell far beyond expectation.  This failure can be summarily attributed to 3 reasons (1) clear rejection of godly counsel and disobedience to God's precepts. (2) Pride (3) lack of self control. 

Solomon clearly rejected God's law and laid down principles for marriage in Genesis 2:23 and Matthew 19:4-6 which preempts marriage to be between one man and one woman. He further disregarded the warning in Deuteronomy 17:17. Probably he thought he would be an exception to the rule. Sadly for him, God has no favorites. 

He wanted to form allegiance with world ruling powers, probably to make his throne more prestigious by having affiliations with many kingdoms. So he married 700 princesses; that sounds quiet incredible, yet, it's true. In spite of these, he has also 300 legal sex partners called mistresses or concubines; an evil he inherited from his father. With this large family and so many mouths to feed anyone could easily see how grand his kingdom was and attest to his wealth.

Solomon, despite all his wise sayings and counsel against the adulterous woman, could not apply it to his own life. Lust is a powerful force that can swallow a man or woman and reduce them to a beast if not checked. It destroys even the mightiest of men, spiritual and otherwise. Solomon's failure showed how true the saying that if one woman is not enough (to quench a man's sexual desires) then a thousand won't be. 

Solomon's kingdom was an example of wealth, military power and prestige, yet his fall shows that true security does not depend on these. He broke the hedge of protection around him when he rejected God's authority. Thereafter, three serpents arose to bite him, namely; Hadad, Rezon and Rehoboam. What's the lesson for us? "If a man as wise as Solomon could fall in this regard; then, who can stand by his own power?". Do not make the mistake of thinking that it can't happen to you. The moment you stop depending on Jesus' power through the indwelling holy spirit on a continuous, moment by moment basis, you are likely to fall. 

Watch this five minutes video also and may God keep us pure and focused till the end. Amen!


Read also: "Wicked Treasures or Diligent hands?"



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