King Solomon is well known for his wisdom, yet he failed to follow his own advice when it came to relationships with women. Though Solomon warned about the dangers of folly, lust, and foreign wives, he ultimately allowed his heart to be led astray. Examining Solomon’s teachings alongside his life provides insight into the difficulty of living out one’s convictions and the tragic consequences of moral compromise.
Solomon’s Wise Teachings
Early in his reign, Solomon received great wisdom from God, which he shared in writings like Proverbs. He warned about the temptations of sexual sin, saying “Drink water from your own cistern, running water from your own well…Let your fountain be blessed, and rejoice in the wife of your youth” (Proverbs 5:15,18 ESV). He advised finding a wife of noble character whose “worth is far above rubies” (Proverbs 31:10). Solomon also cautioned against “the forbidden woman” who flatters with her words and leads down the path to destruction (Proverbs 2:16, 5:3-5).
In Ecclesiastes, Solomon reflects on the meaninglessness of pleasure-seeking and warns against the judgement that comes from God for all deeds done under the sun (Ecclesiastes 11:9, 12:14). He acknowledges that God “has put eternity into man’s heart” yet we cannot understand all of God’s ways (Ecclesiastes 3:11). Though wisdom has its limits, Solomon still exhorts readers to “Fear God and keep his commandments” (Ecclesiastes 12:13).
Solomon’s Compromise and Downfall
Tragically, Solomon failed to follow his own wise advice. His insatiable appetite for women led him to marry 700 wives and 300 concubines (1 Kings 11:3). While political marriages to forge alliances were common, amassing such a large harem went far beyond custom. Many of these wives were foreign women who turned Solomon’s heart after other gods, directly contradicting God’s command for kings not to “acquire many wives” nor “multiply horses” nor “multiply wives” to themselves (Deuteronomy 17:16-17).
Though Solomon started well, the Bible records his moral compromise: “When Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods…” (1 Kings 11:4). The wisest man on earth entangled himself in this web of lust, folly, and idolatry. God judged Solomon for his unfaithfulness and told him “Since this has been your practice and you have not kept my covenant and my statutes that I have commanded you, I will surely tear the kingdom from you” (1 Kings 11:11). The united kingdom was split after Solomon’s death as a consequence of his sin.
Examining the Disconnect Between Knowledge and Action
Simply having wisdom and knowledge of God’s ways does not ensure one will follow them. Paul reflects on this struggle in Romans 7, where he says “I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out” (v. 18). Knowledge is not enough without godly character and the empowering grace of God. Solomon had great wisdom, yet lacked the integrity to live by it. This disconnect between knowledge and action is a sobering reminder of our need for moral discipline and dependence on God.
Even the wisest among us struggle to live out what we know to be right and good. Solomon let his desires override wisdom, compromising bit by bit until it was too late. Though he knew the goodness of finding a faithful wife, he multiplier lovers and chased after folly. He understood well that God judges sin, yet felt his power and privilege made him above the law. Knowledge inflated his pride rather than increasing his humility before God.
Solomon’s story reveals the intrinsic limits of human wisdom. Even with unparalleled insight and resources, Solomon could not control the desires of his heart or the consequences of his choices. His failure was not primarily intellectual, but moral and spiritual. This shows our need for wisdom and grace beyond ourselves. Solomon’s compromise highlights the necessity of fearing God rather than merely knowing about God.
Practical Lessons
What can we learn from examining why Solomon did not practice what he preached? Here are a few key lessons:
- Knowledge alone is not enough to produce moral character and spiritual maturity. We need God’s empowering grace.
- Ever-increasing wisdom should lead to ever-increasing humility before God and reliance upon Him.
- No one, no matter how wise, righteous, or privileged, is above God’s moral law. We will reap what we sow.
- Little compromises made in private eventually show up in public. Hidden sins and “little” moral lapses have big consequences.
- Quality relationships require moral discipline and boundaries, not just romantic passion.
- All the wisdom of the world cannot fill the void in our hearts that only God can satisfy.
Rather than obsessing over why Solomon fell short, we do well to examine our own disconnects between knowledge and action. We all struggle to live up to our convictions and what we know to be right and wise. Like Solomon, we need to cultivate humility, integrity, and reliance on God’s grace to shape our lips according to knowledge (Proverbs 22:17-21). The beginning of wisdom is the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10); that reverence and awe of God can keep us from shipwrecking our lives on the rocks of compromise.
Maintaining Convictions Amidst Compromise
Solomon’s example reminds us that maintaining moral and spiritual convictions requires more than just having knowledge. Here are some principles to keep in mind:
- Surround yourself with people who will encourage you to live out your convictions rather than compromise.
- Establish safeguards and structures that support moral discipline like accountability partners, filters, boundaries, etc.
- View each temptation as a fork in the road rather than a minor detour. Small compromises avalanche.
- Rehearse and remember the consequences of moral failure, for yourself and others. Sin’s pleasures are short-lived.
- Stay grounded in community and spiritual disciplines like worship, prayer, fasting, Bible reading, fellowship, and service.
- Deal decisively with compromise when it happens through confession, repentance, restitution, and safeguards against relapse.
- Focus on the fear of the Lord rather than merely human wisdom. Reverence God in all your ways.
Living with integrity requires leaning on God’s strength and wisdom every step of the way. Through the empowering grace of the Holy Spirit, we can avoid Solomon’s tragic example. When conviction weakens, we must draw near to God who will draw near to us as we humble ourselves before Him (James 4:8).
The Grace and Redemption of Christ
As sobering as Solomon’s compromises and consequences are, we find hope in God’s redemptive work through Christ. Though Solomon’s legacy was tarnished, God did not utterly forsake him but blessed the son who succeeded him when he sought the Lord (1 Kings 11:11-13). Solomon did finish building God’s temple as a place where broken and sinful people could find mercy and forgiveness.
Solomon’s failure highlights our universal need for a Savior. Like Solomon, we have all turned away to our own ways. But God in His grace sent Jesus to live the perfect life we fail to live and die the atoning death our sins deserve. Through Christ, we can find cleansing, freedom, and new life. As 1 John 1:9 says, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” We all need God’s grace and can only find hope in the redeeming work of Christ.
In the end, Solomon’s story is a cautionary tale of the dire impacts of moral drift and compromise. But it also points us to the God whose grace, wisdom, and Spirit enable us to live out our convictions with integrity. May we learn from Solomon’s mistakes, rely fully on Christ’s redemption, and press on in the wisdom and power of God.