“‘Praise be to the LORD your God, who has delighted in you and placed you on the throne of Israel. Because of the LORD’s eternal love for Israel, He has made you king, to maintain justice and righteousness.’” 1 Kings 10:9 (NIV)
“The LORD became angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the LORD’s command.” 1 Kings 11:9 & 10 NIV
The Queen of Sheba visits Solomon to see with her own eyes, the report of Solomon’s achievements and wisdom. She gives the glory for Solomon’s wealth, accomplishments & wisdom to the Lord. God had indeed blessed Solomon immensely. Solomon had a huge responsibility as King of Israel to uphold the Lord’s commands as he led the people.
But, Solomon had a profound weakness for foreign women, women that God had forbidden Israel from marrying, because they would turn their hearts after other gods.
His 700 wives and 300 concubines led him astray “and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David father had been.” (1 Kings 11:4 NIV)
I, unlike Solomon, am not married to 700 husbands, etc. but there are still things that I must be on guard from, that can lead me astray and turn my heart from fully being devoted to God. And, I may not be the king of a mighty nation, but I am still one of my children’s primary role models and that carries a huge responsibility for me to cling to God with a heart of pure devotion.
Heavenly Father,
You have blessed me immensely with a wonderful husband and five beautiful and healthy children. Thank you so much! Please help me to not take for granted the blessings you pour into my life and to always give the glory to You. I pray that You will give me a heart of pure devotion only to You and that I will not be led astray by the things of this world. If I am led astray, please help me to turn and run, as fast as I possibly can, back into Your loving arms of grace and mercy.
Amen.
Beckie (look2thehills)
From the archives. Originally published April 25, 2009.
Sixty-six books in a year 