A Sad Spectacle

Solomon’s downfall came gradually.

He compromised one principle after another until he became a shadow of the man he once was. “Thus far in the record of Solomon’s wealth and glory many indications of moral weakness have become apparent. The excessive accumulation of silver and gold and the multiplication of horses were in violation of the warnings given by Moses (Deut. 17:16, 17). Solomon’s shortcomings along these lines have not been specifically mentioned as such [1 Kings 10:23, 26]. . . . But in regard to the multiplication of wives, the excesses of Solomon were so outstanding that particular attention is called to the monarch’s failings along this line [1 Kings 11:1]. The multiplication of wives is mentioned by Moses in the same connection with the multiplication of horses and silver and gold (Deut. 17:16, 17).” “And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart” (1 Kings 11:3). The Lord had warned against marrying nonbelievers (Exodus 34:14–16; Deuteronomy 7:4), but Solomon chose to ignore it. His heathen wives’ influence led Solomon to eventually join them in their worship of false gods. “Then did Solomon build an high place for Chemosh, the abomination of Moab, in the hill that is before Jerusalem, and for Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon” (1 Kings 11:7). “Solomon’s course brought its sure penalty. His separation from God through communication with idolaters was his ruin. . . . He who in his early reign had displayed so much wisdom and sympathy in restoring a helpless babe to its unfortunate mother (see 1 Kings 3:16-28), fell so low as to consent to the erection of an idol to whom living children were offered as sacrifices.” Slowly, Solomon began to harbor atheistic doubts. He lost his sense of dependence on God and questioned whether God even existed! “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death” (Proverbs 14:12).