Topical Encyclopedia IntroductionSolomon, the son of David and Bathsheba, is renowned for his wisdom, wealth, and the construction of the First Temple in Jerusalem. However, his reign is also marked by alliances and associations with foreign nations and peoples who were considered enemies of God. These alliances, often sealed through marriage, had significant spiritual and political implications for the kingdom of Israel. Solomon's Marriages and Alliances Solomon's reign began with a strong adherence to the statutes of God, as he sought wisdom to govern the people of Israel. However, as his reign progressed, Solomon formed numerous alliances through marriages with foreign women, which were contrary to God's commandments. The Berean Standard Bible records, "King Solomon loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women" (1 Kings 11:1). These marriages were not merely personal unions but strategic alliances with surrounding nations. Spiritual Consequences The alliances Solomon formed had profound spiritual consequences. The foreign wives he took brought with them their gods and religious practices, leading Solomon to compromise his devotion to the God of Israel. The Berean Standard Bible states, "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" (1 Kings 11:4). This turning away from exclusive worship of Yahweh led to the introduction of idolatry within Israel, a direct violation of the first commandment. Political Implications Politically, Solomon's alliances initially brought peace and prosperity to Israel, as they were part of his strategy to secure the kingdom's borders and enhance its influence. However, these alliances also sowed seeds of division and discontent. The heavy taxation and forced labor required to support Solomon's extensive building projects, including the Temple and his palace, were burdensome to the people. After Solomon's death, these grievances contributed to the division of the kingdom under his son Rehoboam. Divine Judgment God's response to Solomon's alliances and idolatry was one of judgment. The Berean Standard Bible records God's warning: "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" (1 Kings 11:11). Although the kingdom was not divided during Solomon's lifetime, the seeds of division were planted, leading to the eventual split into the northern kingdom of Israel and the southern kingdom of Judah. Legacy Solomon's alliances with the enemies of God serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of compromising one's faith for political or personal gain. His reign illustrates the tension between worldly wisdom and divine obedience, highlighting the importance of remaining faithful to God's commandments. Despite his wisdom and achievements, Solomon's alliances ultimately led to spiritual decline and political instability, affecting the future of the Israelite nation. Torrey's Topical Textbook 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: Torrey's Topical Textbook Library The Divided Kingdom. The Reign of David. Covenanting a Duty. Josiah, a Pattern for the Ignorant. The Israelites Covenant Duties. Egypt Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire ... General Index. Funeral Oration on the Great S. Basil, Bishop of C??sarea in ... Resources What is the World Evangelical Alliance? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Christian and Missionary Alliance Church? | GotQuestions.org Who was A.W. Tozer? | GotQuestions.org Alliance: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God are a Proof of Folly Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God are Defiling Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God are Degrading Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God are Enslaved Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God are Ensnaring Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God are Ruinous to Moral Character Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God are Ruinous to Spiritual Interest Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: A Call to Come out From Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Ahaziah Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Blessedness of Avoiding Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Blessedness of Forsaking Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Evil Consequences of Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Examples of Avoiding: Church of Ephesus Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Examples of Avoiding: David Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Examples of Avoiding: Jeremiah Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Examples of Avoiding: Joseph of Arimathaea Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Examples of Avoiding: Man of God Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Examples of Avoiding: Nehemiah Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Examples of Forsaking: Israelites Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Examples of Forsaking: Sons of the Priests Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Examples of the Judgments of God Against: Ahaziah Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Examples of the Judgments of God Against: Korah Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Exhortations to Hate and Avoid Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Exhortations to Shun all Inducements To Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Forbidden Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Have Led to Murder and Human Sacrifice Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Involve Saints in Their Guiltiness Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Involve Saints in Their Punishment Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Israel Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Israelites Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Jehoram Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Jehoshaphat Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Judas Iscariot Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Lead to Idolatry Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Means of Preservation From Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Persons in Authority should Denounce Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Pious Parents Prohibit, to Their Children Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Provoke God to Leave Mean to Reap the Fruits of Them Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Provoke the Anger of God Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Punishment of Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Rehoboam Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Saints are Separate From Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Saints Deprecate Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Saints Grieve to Witness in Their Brethren Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Saints Hate and Avoid Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Solomon Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: The Wicked are Prone To Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: The Wicked Tempt Saints To Alliance and Society With the Enemies of God: Unbecoming in Those Called Saints Alliances: Abraham and Abimelech Alliances: Between Abraham and Mamre, Eshcol, and Aner Alliances: Canaanitish Nations Against Israel Alliances: Isaac and Abimelech Alliances: Jehoshaphat and Ahab Alliances: Jehoshaphat and Ahaziah Alliances: Joshua and the Gibeonites Alliances: Moabites, Amalekites, and Ammonites Alliances: Political with Idolaters Forbidden Alliances: Ratification of by Giving the Hand Alliances: Ratification of by Oaths Alliances: Zedekiah and Pharaoh Related Terms Nebuchadnezzar (90 Occurrences) Merodach-baladan (2 Occurrences) |
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