Topical Bible: Character: Instability: Solomon

◄ Character: Instability: Solomon ►

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Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba, is a prominent figure in the Bible known for his wisdom, wealth, and extensive building projects, including the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. However, despite his early promise and divine favor, Solomon's life is also marked by significant instability, particularly in his spiritual and moral conduct.

Early Reign and Wisdom

Solomon's reign began with a strong foundation. When he ascended to the throne, he sought wisdom from God to govern the people of Israel effectively. In 1 Kings 3:9, Solomon prays, "Give Your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil." God granted his request, making Solomon renowned for his wisdom, as seen in his judgments and the proverbs attributed to him.

Wealth and Prosperity

Under Solomon's rule, Israel experienced unprecedented prosperity and peace. His wealth and the splendor of his court became legendary, attracting visitors from distant lands, including the Queen of Sheba (1 Kings 10:1-13). Solomon's ability to amass wealth and resources was unparalleled, and he undertook grand building projects, most notably the Temple in Jerusalem, which became the center of Jewish worship.

Spiritual Decline and Idolatry

Despite his wisdom, Solomon's later years were marked by spiritual decline. His instability is most evident in his failure to remain faithful to the covenant with God. Solomon's marriages to foreign women led him astray, as they brought their gods and religious practices into Israel. 1 Kings 11:4-6 states, "For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father had been. Solomon followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and Molech the abomination of the Ammonites. So Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD; unlike his father David, he did not follow the LORD completely."

Consequences of Instability

Solomon's spiritual instability had profound consequences for the kingdom of Israel. God became angry with Solomon for his idolatry and warned him that the kingdom would be torn from his lineage, though not during his lifetime, for the sake of David (1 Kings 11:11-13). This prophecy came to fruition after Solomon's death when the kingdom was divided under his son Rehoboam, leading to the formation of the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah.

Legacy

Solomon's legacy is a complex one. While he is remembered for his wisdom and achievements, his life also serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of spiritual complacency and the consequences of turning away from God. His instability in maintaining a faithful relationship with God ultimately overshadowed his early successes and left a lasting impact on the history of Israel.

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1 Kings 11:4-8
For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as was the heart of David his father.
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Library

The Song of Solomon.
... love now anew entered into, in contrast with the instability of the former. The
Song of Solomon does not, strictly speaking, possess a prophetical character. ...
/.../hengstenberg/christology of the old testament/the song of solomon.htm

The Almost Christian
... outlines and sketches of his character, if your ... sensual pleasure, but through an
instability and fickleness ... false mother that came before Solomon, would have ...
/.../whitefield/selected sermons of george whitefield/the almost christian.htm

The Secret of Tranquillity
... To Solomon, old age is represented as bringing the ... thenceforward every lurch of the
glittering instability threatens to ... to the way in which character is made ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture j/the secret of tranquillity.htm

On the Great Athanasius, Bishop of Alexandria.
... details only in comparing him and his character with his ... when he approved the wise
counsel of Solomon that there ... for thus I must term his instability, though I ...
/.../cyril/lectures of s cyril of jerusalem/oration xxi on the great.htm

Chapter xlix
... of Jacob's energy of mind and character should have ... on its guard: Reuben against
moral instability and licentiousness ... later than the days of David and Solomon. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xlix.htm

From the Close of the General Conference of 1828 to the Beginning ...
... the work of the ministry, he had established a character which, had ... in the Methodist
Magazine, particularly that entitled Instability in religion ... Solomon Higgins ...
/.../chapter 10 from the close.htm

Church Fabrics and Services.
... the clergy should also find outward expression in the general character of the ... workmen
as they hewed smooth the fine old sculptures over Solomon's porch, which ...
/.../the english church in the eighteenth century/chapter x church fabrics and.htm

Concerning "Good," "Light," "Beautiful," "Desire," "Ecstasy ...
... or birth, being separate above all instability and flux ... Wherefore Its Providential
character is shown herein: that It ... a title of the books ascribed to Solomon. ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter iv concerning good light.htm

Answer to Eunomius' Second Book .
... What word, then, of the inspired Scripture has taught us the manifold and multiform
character of what we ... "For," as saith the Wisdom of Solomon, "by the ...
/.../gregory of nyssa dogmatic treatises etc/answer to eunomius second book.htm

The Medes and the Second Chaldaean Empire
... to it, even in thought, the usual commonplaces on the instability of human ... G. Rawlinson
takes a somewhat different view of Cyaxares' character; he admits ...
/.../chapter iiithe medes and the.htm