READING: 1 Kings 11:1-43, 2 Chronicles 9:29-31, Ecclesiastes 1:1-11
I have read the Old Testament enough times that in today’s reading, I read a phrase I know will show up again and again in our readings. The description relates to Solomon in this case, but it’s a description that describes many of the kings in the Old Testament: “So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the Lord and did not wholly follow the Lord, as David his father had done” (1 Kgs 11:6). We will, in fact, read of many more evil kings than godly ones.
For Solomon, his sin was his turning to idols under the influence of his many foreign wives. He did exactly what God told him not to do—marry foreign women. Under their influence, the king “turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not wholly true to the Lord his God” (1 Kgs 11:4). Even though God had appeared to him twice before (1 Kgs 3:1-15, 9:1-9), Solomon turned to other gods—and brought judgment on himself.
He “did what was evil in the sight of the Lord,” and “he turned away his heart after other gods”—what a tragic way to be remembered! May the Word drive us to God for His help, and may He grant us grace to live faithfully to Him to the end.
PERSONAL REFLECTION: Would “wholly following the Lord” characterize your life today?
DAILY PRAYER: “Father, I realize I cannot walk fully with You unless You grant me grace to live obediently. Please do so.”
TOMORROW’S READING: Ecclesiastes 1:12-6:12
