1 Kings 11:3
"And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart."
Talk about excess! King Solomon’s 700 wives and 300 concubines scream extravagance. Some scholars question these numbers, noting they exceed other biblical accounts like the Song of Solomon, but they align with the large harems of ancient Eastern monarchs.
This vast harem, including women from foreign nations like Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites, defied God’s command against intermarriage to prevent idolatry. Sadly, Solomon’s wives led him to worship foreign gods like Ashtoreth and Molek, causing him to stray from God, unlike his father, David.
Using his God-given wisdom, Solomon built the First Temple and authored Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs. Yet, his attachment to these women compromised his faith, showing that even the wisest can face spiritual consequences for ignoring God’s commands. Solomon’s story warns us against letting worldly desires override our devotion to God.
Optional: Watch this video on ways secular culture tempts Christians to compromise God’s plan: https://youtu.be/uBEq19a_Kso?si=lGl1jK8cuIBGKMwr
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