(REFLECTIONS ON 1 Kings 11:1-13)

1 Now King Solomon loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, 2 from the nations concerning which the Lord had said to the sons of Israel, “You shall not associate with them, nor shall they associate with you, for they will surely turn your heart away after their gods.” Solomon held fast to these in love. 3 He had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned his heart away. 4 For when Solomon was old, his wives turned his heart away after other gods; and his heart was not wholly devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been.

Solomon loved many foreign women, and his wives turned his heart away after other gods. Even though the Lord had previously warned Israel about this very danger, Scripture tells us that Solomon held fast to these in love. In turn, his love turned away from the God who loved him, chose him, and set him upon the throne.

Solomon’s love turned from God and toward the world rather than remaining fixed upon God Himself. And this happened when Solomon was old!

This leads us to reflect not only on what we love, but what will we love? Yes, perhaps we love the Lord now, but will we do so tomorrow, next year, five years from now? What about when we are old? Will we continue to love the Lord then?

The question is not whether we love the Lord for one moment in time, or even for most moments in time, but whether we will continue to love the Lord and remain in Him until the end. What a sad sight it is to see Solomon, full of God’s wisdom and faithful in many ways, yet when he was old, his wives turned his heart away.

Brothers and sisters, what will we love? Will we be firm and steadfast in our faith and continue to love God all the way to the end? Will we remain faithful until our very last breath?

This passage reminds us to remain alert and watchful in our faith, never becoming complacent or self-satisfied. For who knows whether, in the near or distant future, our hearts may be drawn away after other gods, other things, or other people? Therefore, let us continually abide in the Lord, for only as we remain in Him can we be kept faithful to the very end.

Pastor Michael Lu
Enduring Word Bible Commentary: 1 Kings 11