2 They were from nations about which the LORD hadtold the Israelites, "You must not intermarry with them,
because they will surely turn your hearts after theirgods." Nevertheless, Solomon held fast to them in love. - P148
4 As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart afterother gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to theLORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. - P148
5 Solomon worshiped Ashtoreth, the goddess of the Sidonians, and Molech, thedetestable god of the Ammonites.
6 So Solomon did evil in the eyes of the LORD; he didnot follow the LORD completely, as David his father haddone.
7 On a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a highplace for Chemosh the detestable god of Moab, and forMolek the detestable god of the Ammonites. - P148
8 He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burnedincense and offered sacrifices to their gods.
8 Solomon built such shrines for all his foreign wives to use for burning incense ancsacrificing to their gods.
9 The LORD became angry with Solomon because hisheart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel,
who had appeared to him twice.
9 The LORD was very angry with Solomon, for his heart had turned away from theLORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice.
10 Although he had forbidden Solomon to follow othergods, Solomon did not keep the LORD‘s command.
10 He had warned Solomon specifically about worshiping other gods, but Solomondid not listen to the LORD‘s command. - P149
11 So the LORD said to Solomon, "Since this is yourattitude and you have not kept my covenant and mydecrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainlytear the kingdom away from you and give it to one ofyour subordinates. - P149
We may believe that we can love God even as wefocus more on the pursuit of wealth or selfish desires, but anything thatwe place above God is an idol. The example of Solomon warns us ofhow quickly we can slip into sin and idolatry and reminds us to remaindevoted to the Lord. - P150
Dear Jesus, You are worthy of our obedience. Teach us to recognize and resist evilinfluences and help our hearts listen to Your Holy Spirit instead. In Your name,
amen. - P151
Paul indicates when not to fight. When it comes to battles with Justand sexual temptation, the best action is to flee (1 Cor. 6:18; 2 Tim.2:22).
We may not be as wise as Solomon, but we certainly have thewisdom of the Spirit who dwells within us. The Spirit helps us tomodel Christ, the great Warrior King and victor. - P155
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