Dave's Diary

Daily Reading: 1 Kings 11 and Psalm 111

From the Word of the Lord at the time of creation, it is clear that a man who marries is to have one woman as his wife for life. The two are to become one flesh (Genesis 2:24). Jesus reaffirmed this principle (Matthew 19:6) and the New Testament goes on to explain that this exclusive, faithful, monogamous relationship of two people despite their profound differences of gender and personality is a symbol of the way God chooses to be united to His people through Christ (Ephesians 5:31-33), despite the fact that God is perfect and holy, and we are not.

Solomon knew the will of God regarding monogamy. He also knew the commands of God to the Israelites not to intermarry because of the danger of being led astray to false gods. But, as time went by, he married more wives and took more concubines. He chose to obediently worship his desires for romantic/sensual “eros-love”. He made these desires his lord. No longer was Solomon led by God through his God-given wisdom. Now he was led by a god of his own sensual desires. Before too long, this dethroning of the One True God manifested itself not only in his “personal life”, but also in his “religious life”. What was already true in the rest of his life began to reflect in the “gods” he worshipped publicly too: Ashtoreth (also known as “Astarte”, the goddess of war and sexual love), Chemosh (a fertility goddess, worshipped with sex and sometimes human sacrifices) and Molek (worshipped with sexual rituals and child sacrifices).

What a terrible private and public rejection of the LORD – the One True God who had graciously given Solomon the kingdom and the wisdom to govern and grow it.

Solomon serves as a sobering sign of how easily one can be led astray from one’s devotion to the LORD. Sinful desires lurk in the shadows of our lives, waiting for the opportunity to seize us and separate us from God. Truly, we need a saviour to keep us faithful to the One who is forever faithful to us.

Lord Jesus, I acknowledge my weakness and tendency to sin. Please stay close to me and keep me open to Your guidance, grace and power. Help me to resist the temptations of my own sinful desires and to live a life pleasing to the LORD my God. Amen!