1 Kings 11
It is not certain who the author of 1 Kings is but the author makes it clear that Solomon did not follow the Lord's instructions about not to intermarry (v2). It is also not why Solomon did not follow God's instructions here. Perhaps it was arrogance - that Solomon felt he did not need to submit to all of God's instructions - that he could "afford" to skip a few. Perhaps it was that Solomon did not trust the Lord that He would satisfy, that Solomon did not need to look anywhere beyond how God did bless him - he needed more than what he felt the Lord could provide.
Regardless of why Solomon sought wives against the Lord's wishes - it is clear that the Lord warned Solomon that these wives "will surely turn your hearts after their gods" (v2). And they did (v4-6+).
God warns all of us that we need to be careful with whom we associate.
It's not that we cannot be friends with unbelievers or spend time with them...it is that we cannot be "yoked" or significantly influenced to the point where they control us much like a yoke controls oxen.
We should find our influences in the Lord first and foremost (Romans 12:1) then with others, including our church leaders, elders, and fellow church members/believers.
Lord, help me follow You first and foremost, then with other believers who can help me remain focused on You.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who is worthy of my worship and devotion. You also provide many people in my life, church leaders, elders, and other believers who support and encourage me - thank You Jesus! I am not worth such love. I worry. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray. As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been. He followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molek the detestable god of the Ammonites. So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the Lord; he did not follow the Lord completely, as David his father had done. v3-6
It is not certain who the author of 1 Kings is but the author makes it clear that Solomon did not follow the Lord's instructions about not to intermarry (v2). It is also not why Solomon did not follow God's instructions here. Perhaps it was arrogance - that Solomon felt he did not need to submit to all of God's instructions - that he could "afford" to skip a few. Perhaps it was that Solomon did not trust the Lord that He would satisfy, that Solomon did not need to look anywhere beyond how God did bless him - he needed more than what he felt the Lord could provide.
Regardless of why Solomon sought wives against the Lord's wishes - it is clear that the Lord warned Solomon that these wives "will surely turn your hearts after their gods" (v2). And they did (v4-6+).
God warns all of us that we need to be careful with whom we associate.
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? 2 Corinthians 6:14
It's not that we cannot be friends with unbelievers or spend time with them...it is that we cannot be "yoked" or significantly influenced to the point where they control us much like a yoke controls oxen.
We should find our influences in the Lord first and foremost (Romans 12:1) then with others, including our church leaders, elders, and fellow church members/believers.
Lord, help me follow You first and foremost, then with other believers who can help me remain focused on You.
My Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are an amazing God who is worthy of my worship and devotion. You also provide many people in my life, church leaders, elders, and other believers who support and encourage me - thank You Jesus! I am not worth such love. I worry. Please forgive me Jesus and help me overcome and turn from my sin towards You. Help me love You with all of my heart, soul, and mind and love others as You do. Help me grow in my faith. Give Lisa and myself wisdom and strength. Please heal Lisa of her cancer and from the side effects of chemo. Help us lead Zach and Dustin to You Jesus and for them to choose You as their Lord and Savior. Please provide Godly friends and spouses to Zach and Dustin. Help me serve You, my family, my church, and others. Help me understand, be obedient to, and apply Your message for me today and every day.
