Topical Encyclopedia Fellowship, in the biblical sense, refers to the companionship and association with others, particularly in a spiritual or moral context. The Bible provides numerous examples and teachings on the importance of maintaining righteous fellowship and the dangers of associating with the wicked. One of the most poignant examples of the evil of fellowship with the wicked is found in the life of King Solomon.Solomon's Early Devotion and Wisdom Solomon, the son of David and Bathsheba, began his reign as king of Israel with a heart devoted to God. He is renowned for his wisdom, which he famously requested from God. In 1 Kings 3:9, Solomon asks, "Give Your servant, therefore, an understanding heart to judge Your people and to discern between good and evil." God granted him unparalleled wisdom, wealth, and honor, as recorded in 1 Kings 3:12-13. The Gradual Decline Through Unholy Alliances Despite his auspicious beginning, Solomon's reign eventually became marred by his alliances with foreign nations and their pagan practices. The Berean Standard Bible in 1 Kings 11:1-2 states, "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." Solomon's marriages to foreign women were not merely political alliances but also spiritual compromises. These relationships led him to tolerate and eventually participate in idolatrous practices, directly violating God's commandments. The influence of his wives is further highlighted in 1 Kings 11:4, "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." The Consequences of Unrighteous Fellowship The consequences of Solomon's fellowship with the wicked were severe. His heart, once fully devoted to God, became divided. He built high places for the gods of his wives, such as Chemosh and Molech, as noted in 1 Kings 11:7-8. This idolatry provoked the LORD to anger, leading to the eventual division of the kingdom after Solomon's death. In 1 Kings 11:11, the LORD declares, "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." Lessons from Solomon's Example Solomon's life serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of fellowship with the wicked. His account illustrates how even the wisest and most blessed individuals can fall into spiritual ruin through unholy alliances. The New Testament echoes this warning in 1 Corinthians 15:33 , "Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good character.'" Solomon's example underscores the importance of choosing one's associations carefully and remaining steadfast in devotion to God. In summary, Solomon's life exemplifies the evil of fellowship with the wicked, demonstrating how such associations can lead to spiritual compromise and divine judgment. His account serves as a timeless reminder of the need for vigilance in maintaining righteous fellowship and the perils of straying from God's commandments. Nave's Topical Index 1 Kings 11:1-8But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites: Nave's Topical Index Library Love and Peace. Twenty Second Sunday after Trinity Paul's Thanks and Prayers for ... How a Man's Conduct Comes Home to Him Index of Subjects. Book ii. An Essay on the Scriptural Doctrine of Immortality. From the Close of the General Conference of 1828 to the Beginning ... Memoir of John Bunyan The Life and Death of Mr. Badman, A Defence of the Doctrine of Justification, by Faith in Jesus ... Resources What is the Fellowship Bible Church movement (Gene Getz)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the right hand of fellowship (Galatians 2:9)? | GotQuestions.org What is Potter's House Christian Fellowship? | GotQuestions.org Fellowship: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Fellowship with the Wicked Forbidden Fellowship with the Wicked: Punishment of Fellowship: General Scriptures Concerning Fellowship: The Evil of Fellowship With the Wicked Exemplified by Ahaziah Fellowship: The Evil of Fellowship With the Wicked Exemplified by Israel Fellowship: The Evil of Fellowship With the Wicked Exemplified by Jehoram Fellowship: The Evil of Fellowship With the Wicked Exemplified by Jehoshaphat Fellowship: The Evil of Fellowship With the Wicked Exemplified by Judas Iscariot Fellowship: The Evil of Fellowship With the Wicked Exemplified by Rehoboam Fellowship: The Evil of Fellowship With the Wicked Exemplified by Solomon Fellowship: The Evil of Fellowship With the Wicked Exemplified by the Israelites Fellowship: Those Who Avoided Fellowship With the Wicked: Church of Ephesus Fellowship: Those Who Avoided Fellowship With the Wicked: David Fellowship: Those Who Avoided Fellowship With the Wicked: Jeremiah Fellowship: Those Who Avoided Fellowship With the Wicked: Joseph of Arimathaea Fellowship: Those Who Avoided Fellowship With the Wicked: Man of God Fellowship: Those Who Avoided Fellowship With the Wicked: Nehemiah Related Terms Sanctification (13 Occurrences) Unrighteousness (57 Occurrences) |
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