Original Broadcast: October 2009
Monthly Theme: King Solomon
[Solomon] had 700 wives, princesses, and 300 concubines.
And his wives turned away his heart.
(1 Kings 11:3)
What was Solomon thinking? 700 wives? 300 concubines? 1000 wives total? That's absolutely insane! No one man needs that many wives!
Solomon's wives were all wonderful women I'm sure, but they weren't a good influence on him. Among his wives were Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians and Hittites. With each new wife, a new god or goddess was brought into the palace. Many times Solomon would see the paltry workmanship of the handmade idol and order a new one to be crafted in gold and silver and all of his other riches.
God became angry with Solomon and wrenched part of the kingdom away from him. God continued to keep His promise to David. One of Solomon's sons would continue David's perpetual kingdom, but he would only have part of the kingdom. Only one of the Twelve Tribes, the Tribe of Judah. It was a grievous punishment for a grievous sin.
Solomon wasted his riches on his own personal pleasure. He reflects on this in Ecclesiastes. But his story is a reminder that everything we have is a gift from God. Our gift to use as we see fit. We can be a blessing by using it or a curse by wasting it. God calls you to use the gifts He gives you wisely. Amen.
