Solomon – Sad Ending

I. Introduction & Context

Solomon's Background & Achievements

Son of David and Bathsheba, fulfilling God's promise

Asked for wisdom when offered anything by God

Built the temple, amassed great wealth, expanded Israel's borders

Led Israel through unprecedented period of peace and prosperity

"Had it all" - the ultimate success story

II. The Shocking Turn (1 Kings 11:9)

The Surprise of Chapter 11

God's anger at Solomon despite his success

The question: How did this happen when everything seemed so well?

III. The Causes of Solomon's Downfall

A. He Loved Foreign Wives (1 Kings 11:1-2)

700 wives and 300 concubines from forbidden nations

Direct violation of God's commandment against intermarrying

B. He Built High Places to False Gods

Worship places for Chemosh, Molek, and other foreign deities

Essentially one god for every wife

IV. The Consequences (1 Kings 11:11-13)

Kingdom Division Prophesied

Ten tribes to go to Jeroboam

Two tribes to remain with Solomon's son Rehoboam

Unity broken forever, only preserved partially due to God's covenant with David

V. The Pattern of Solomon's Fall

A. Small Compromises Led to Big Problems

Early Warning Signs:

Marriage to Pharaoh's daughter (1 Kings 3:1)

Worshiping at high places (1 Kings 3:3)

Accumulating horses from Egypt (1 Kings 10:26-28)

All violated specific commands in Deuteronomy 17:14-17

Solomon knew better (wrote Proverbs 11:28 about trusting in riches)

Key Truth: "We start falling into sin long before we ever fall into disgrace" (Philip Ryken)

B. A Heart Problem (Five mentions of "heart" in chapter 11)

Heart was "turned away" and "not fully devoted"

Contrast with his beginning: "Solomon loved the Lord" (1 Kings 3:3)

Key Truth: "All sin is an inside job" (Tony Merida)

Heart drift leads to heart turn (James 1:14-15)

C. Persistent Sin vs. Repentant Sin

The Difference from David:

Both sinned, but David confessed and grieved his sin

Solomon became comfortable with sin, no evidence of repentance

David's broken heart (Psalm 51) vs. Solomon's calloused heart

VI. Application Questions for Today

A. What Compromises Are You Making?

Sin's deception: no immediate consequences doesn't mean no consequences

Warning: "Your sin will track you down" (Numbers 32:23)

B. Where Is Your Heart?

Heart Check: "Where your treasure is, there your heart will be also" (Matthew 6:21)

Examine spending of money, time, talents, and thoughts

C. Has Your Heart Become Calloused to Sin?

Warning from Ephesians 4:17-19 about hardened hearts

When did you last have a Psalm 51 moment of genuine grief over sin?

VII. Conclusion: The Irony and the Invitation

The Irony: Solomon's fall in "chapter 11" - spiritual bankruptcy despite material wealth

The Invitation: God still offers us our heart's desire in Christ

The Choice: Don't ask for riches or fame - ask to be God's child

Final Questions:

Are you God's child?

If so, nurture that relationship

If not, you'll never get a better offer

Key Themes:

Success and wealth can corrupt

Small compromises lead to great falls

Heart condition determines spiritual trajectory

God's grace vs. consequences of persistent sin

The difference between falling into sin and turning from God