September 19, Reading 1 – 1 Kings 11

Reading

Audio, Visual

SAA Notes

The opening sentence begins with a however. Having dealt with the glories of Solomon’s reign, the narrative turns now to two of the destructive forces at work in the people of God – Solomon’s love of many women with his consequent idolatry and the emergence of potent and protected enemies (protected by Egypt under a new Pharaoh).

SJA Notes

* God Above, may all that is within me bless Your holy Name! You are to be blessed, there is no other.

“And his wives turned away his heart.”

Here we see the truth of the third warning given by God through Moses, warnings to kings.

That they not have many wives.

Solomon clung to his wives in love.

LOVE. But what kind?

He shifted foundations, building on the sand of romance, built on the fleeting pleasure.

Solomon for his FIRST LOVE – Why try and cling to sand when you can stand on the rock?

This is a sad end to the son of David, a man with breadth of mind like no other, the king who built God’s earthly temple in Jerusalem, someone God specifically appeared to twice.

Look at the evil Solomon did in the sight of the Lord!

He built abominations, idols, again and again he went after them (led by his wives and their idol worship).

We humans can never be made righteous by our own deeds, in our own standing, through our own wisdom.

We need a better way, else who could stand?

What else can be said but _more_ of Jesus, _less_ of us!

* Father God,

Please help us to flee from idolatry, to run to You, always to You.

Please write Your word upon our hearts today.

Amen.

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