1 Kings – Chapter 11

Solomon sought therefore to kill Jeroboam. But Jeroboam arose and fled into Egypt, to Shishak king of Egypt, and was in Egypt until the death of Solomon. 1 Kings 11:40 – With great power comes great responsibility. Solomon had firmly established his kingdom and his power was vast. We see in this chapter though the decline of this wise, powerful king. Solomon’s issues were with his unfettered lust, for he took 1000 wives and concubines to feed his desires. These wives were of foreign nations, something God said not to do, and they led Solomon spiritually away from the Lord and after all their idols. As a result, God kept His end of the deal, that if Solomon wouldn’t follow Him then someone else would take the role of king of Israel, therefore we see our new character Jeroboam. Yet as Solomon heard of this, he sought to kill Jeroboam, hoping to thwart the plans of God. Sounds a lot like the story of Saul and David huh? Saul broke the covenant he had with the Lord and the kingdom was given to another, yet Saul sought to kill the one who the kingdom was handed to. We learn here a couple things. First, man is not that different from one age to the next and sin still tempts us away from the Lord just like it did thousands of years ago. Second, God is consistently good on His word. For us then let’s realize that the same sins that plagued Saul and Solomon are present in our world today and still have the goal of leading God followers away from Him. Also realize that all the promises of God are true, even the ones where God says He’ll help us through and beyond the temptations of this world. No temptation today is something new that God hasn’t already successfully helped a follower of His through. God’s heart is that you remain faithful to Him, choose today to see from our passage the loss sin can bring and the realness of God’s promises. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3055

1 Kings 11 Daily DEVO Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, from the nations concerning which the Lord had said to the people of Israel, “You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.” Solomon clung to these in love. He had 700 wives, who were princesses, and 300 concubines. And his wives turned away his heart. 1 Kings11:1-3 – Romantic relationships that God directs us away from can turn our hearts away from Him. The one we bring close as our significant other has influence over us that no one else has. That influence can be healthy or detrimental to our walk with God. This is why God gives us clear directions on who we should be with and who we shouldn’t. Like a Christian having a romantic relationship with an unbeliever. When they don’t hold to the same values we do, how can they help us pursue God better? This includes homosexual relationships and even the person that you are so drawn to but God says no to. God has seen enough times how the wrong relationship can steer someone far away from Him and He doesn’t want that with you. Let Him be the one who says if a relationship is right for you or not. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1012

Then Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab, and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites, on the mountain east of Jerusalem. And so he did for all his foreign wives, who made offerings and sacrificed to their gods. 1 Kings 11:7-8 – Solomon turned his heart away from the Lord. It’s kind of hard to believe that this king who built the temple, who sacrificed like he did, who spoke like he did, and even had God appear to him twice, would turn away. Yet Solomon found love in the arms of women God said not to pursue and the end result was a turning of Solomon’s heart away from God. Be careful then to not assume we could never fall. Yes, we see Solomon had 700 wives and 300 concubines, but that’s not how it started. It started with one choice to pursue one marriage with a lady God said no to. We too may not be at the far extreme Solomon took his turn, but we all can make thoughtless, sinful steps that lead us to where we should never go. Be in prayer today that God will keep you from harmful steps and that He’ll bring in the help you need to keep you walking well. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2195