Chapter 161. 1 Kings 11. Solomon’s Last Days.
SOLOMON was growing old, but unlike his father David who had always trusted in the Lord, and worshiped Him only, he (King Solomon) turned to idols in spite of the wonderful wisdom he had received from God. Had he been satisfied with all God had given him, receiving all with gratefulness, he would have died in honor and glory. Had he read the law of Moses all the days of his life, as was commanded the kings to do, he would have been more apt to have kept it. In it he would have seen that the king was not to multiply horses, nor have any brought from Egypt; he was not to have many wives, and must not accumulate silver and gold to himself. But these three things Solomon did in disobedience to God’s word. These things might not have seemed very bad to him, nevertheless they drew his heart away from God. He became so occupied with his power and possessions and wisdom that his heart was turned from God. He loved many strange women from among the nations who did not know God. He had one thousand wives and they turned his heart from God to serve idols. How sad that one so wise and so blessed should be so ungrateful. Could Solomon be happy thus? No; he had no true peace, no comfort from all his worldly things. He tried them all. He walked about in his beautiful gardens; he gathered and ate the fruit, smelled the sweet flowers; but soon he tired of them. Then he looked at his fine houses, gazed on his silver and gold and called his servants to sing and play for him. He enjoyed them for a little time, but soon wearied of them, too. He turned to his studies, and felt pleased with all he knew, but he put that aside, also saying, “All is vanity and vexation of spirit.” He ate and drank, but he did not care for anything. He went about from place to place, crying, “Vanity! all is vanity.” He hated life, and all his greatness, because he must leave it to another, and did not know whether the one who would come after him would be a wise man or a fool. He did not like to think that death would come upon him, as well as upon the rest of mankind. He says therefore that the only thing worthwhile is to remember God in youth, and to be obedient to Him who knows all things, and shall bring every work into judgment, and every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil. (Eccl. 12:1414For God shall bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good, or whether it be evil. (Ecclesiastes 12:14).) The Lord was angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from Him. He said He would rend the kingdom from him and give it to his servant. But for David’s sake God would not do it in Solomon’s day. Yet He sent him troubles to make him feel his sins. He must reap what he had sown. Out of the very nations from whom he had taken wives, the Lord raised enemies against him. His own servant Jeroboam became his adversary. This Jeroboam was a very industrious man. Solomon noticed him and set him up as one of the rulers. One day, when Jeroboam was in the field, Ahijah, the prophet, came to him with a wonderful message from God. The prophet took from him the new garment he had on, and tore it in twelve pieces and gave ten to Jeroboam, telling him that twelve pieces were like, the twelve tribes of Israel, and that God would take away ten tribes from Solomon, and give them to him. God would punish Solomon and Israel because they have forsaken Him, but He would not take away all the kingdom from David’s children, because He had promised David he should always have a light before Him in Jerusalem, the city which God had chosen to put His name there. The tribes of Judah and Benjamin should therefore go to Solomon’s son. And if, when he was king, he would obey and serve God, He would bless him, and give his kingdom to his sons after him.
Jeroboam was not to be king till after Solomon’s death, but when Solomon heard what Abijah had said, he tried to kill Jeroboam, who fled into Egypt, and stayed there till Solomon died.
Solomon reigned forty years. His riches and power could not save him from death. It is written, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” (Heb. 9:2727And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: (Hebrews 9:27).) Most awful thing! To be judged by a holy God who MUST punish sin! Happy indeed are those for whom Christ has borne the punishment! “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom. 6:2323For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23).)
ML 07/23/1916