1 Kings 11

Daily Devotional from 1 Kings 11–

Verse 4
For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true   to the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his Father.

A surprising end to the wisest man who ever lived. Solomon knew the outcome of turning to other gods. He had written the proverbs! But in the end, his desire for worldly pleasures left him with 700 wives and 300 concubines. It also left him with the Almighty God’s anger and the guilt of disobedience. God had appeared to Solomon twice, but Solomon was enticed by many women who led him to false gods. And he leaves us wondering, how could this happen? How could Solomon, who knew so much turn his back on our loving Heavenly Father? His punishment was severe. The Kingdom that had been in its glory under his rule was taken away and divided. And the people suffered because of his sin.

What about us? Are we keeping our eyes on Jesus or are we, like Solomon, looking for pleasure? Are we letting someone else influence us and distract us from pursuing a relationship with Jesus? If Solomon could lose his way, so can we. Let’s keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, and not be led astray by our own selfish desires.

Marci Ellis