Background and Context

Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba, was the third king of Israel and is renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. His reign is often considered the golden age of Israel due to the peace and prosperity that characterized his rule. However, despite his early devotion to God, Solomon's later years were marked by significant spiritual decline, leading to God's anger against him.

The Cause of God's Anger

The primary cause of God's anger against Solomon was his disobedience to God's commandments, particularly concerning idolatry and foreign alliances. Solomon's heart turned away from the Lord as he grew older, influenced by his many foreign wives. The Berean Standard Bible states in 1 Kings 11:1-4: "King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, 'You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.' Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives turned his heart away. For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his father David had been."

Solomon's alliances through marriage led him to build high places for the worship of foreign gods, such as Ashtoreth, Chemosh, and Molech, which were detestable in the sight of the Lord (1 Kings 11:5-8). This idolatry was a direct violation of the first commandment, which forbids the worship of other gods (Exodus 20:3).

God's Response

God's response to Solomon's disobedience was one of righteous anger and judgment. In 1 Kings 11:9-13 , it is recorded: "Now the LORD grew angry with Solomon because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice. Although He had warned Solomon explicitly not to follow other gods, Solomon did not keep the LORD’s command. Then the LORD said to Solomon, 'Since you have done this and have not kept My covenant and statutes, which I commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. Nevertheless, for the sake of your father David, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son. Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom away from him; I will give him one tribe for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.'"

Consequences

The consequences of Solomon's actions were severe and long-lasting. Although God did not remove the kingdom from Solomon during his lifetime, the division of the kingdom occurred shortly after his death. Solomon's son, Rehoboam, inherited a fractured kingdom, leading to the split into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. This division weakened the nation and set the stage for future conflicts and eventual exile.

Theological Implications

Solomon's account serves as a sobering reminder of the dangers of complacency and compromise in one's spiritual life. Despite his wisdom and the blessings he received, Solomon's failure to remain faithful to God resulted in divine judgment. It underscores the importance of obedience to God's commandments and the consequences of turning away from Him. Solomon's life illustrates that even the most blessed and wise individuals are susceptible to falling away if they do not guard their hearts and remain steadfast in their devotion to God.