And the LORD was angry with Solomon, because his heart had turned away from the LORD, the God of Israel, who had appeared to him twice
1 Kings 11:9 (ESV)
I have always been fascinated by the life of David and the continual references throughout the Bible to his faithful trust in the Lord and the steadfast hope of his heart. David was by no means a perfect person who followed the Lord without sin, but he is continually referenced as the standard of having a heart that was wholly true to the Lord his God. David for me is the reference point for how to lead a life of humility that keeps coming before the Lord in repentance and faith. So when Solomon is presented in the story, there is an expectation and a hope that he will follow in the footsteps of David and lead with a heart wholly true to the Lord. What we see is that Solomon was blessed beyond measure in success, wisdom, and peace. Solomon was lacking no earthly blessing in his life. He was even blessed to have the Lord himself appear to him not once, but twice. Solomon was given everything that we ask for ourselves. He is a picture of me.
I too have asked God for success, wisdom, and peace. I too have asked to meet God in a special way. I have these same desires in my heart that Solomon had fulfilled in his life. I have recently watched a couple of documentaries on two modern men who were given much success. Success beyond measure in terms of this world. They reached the peak of everything my heart often desires. At the peak, they lost themselves to the height of power, riches, and success. They lost themselves along the way. This is what we see in Solomon here as well. Solomon’s heart turned away from the Lord.
I find this verse fascinating in that it reminds us that Solomon’s heart turned away from the Lord even though he had met with God two times. This stings as I know that my heart asks for the same things. I tell myself and I pray to God that if I could only hear from him or meet with him in a special way, then all will be well and I would never ever stray. I believe the lie that I need some special appearance of the Lord to enable me to stay faithful. When truly, it is only pride driving this request. I say that because in my heart I know that I don’t need some audible confirmation from the Lord. He has given me numerous confirmations of his presence in my life. He has met with me numerous times in an abundance of different settings. What I am really asking is that I want God to meet with me on my terms and give to me of what I want.
I know this, because I can see it in the life of Solomon. Having God appear to him twice did not keep him from a heart that turned away. His eyes drifted from his Lord to the 700 wives and 300 concubines that he clung to in love. Why so many? My simple thought is that Solomon was seeking approval and love. It was the thrill of the chase. It was the high of romantic love. It was finding confirmation and acceptance through others. Solomon found comfort in the attention and affection of women. So when that attention and affection began to subside in one woman, he went looking for another and another and another.
And his wives turned his heart away. Solomon clung to something other than the Lord in love. Is it wrong to love your wife? Absolutely not. Is it wrong to love your wife more than the Lord your God? Yes. The mistake was that he clung to something, anything, other than the Lord his God. It didn’t have to be women. It could have been food, or cars, or sports, or money, or fame, or work, or comfort, or peace. The idols of my heart are way more subtle now than they ever were back in the days of Solomon. It is easier to keep my idols hidden and secret. It is easier for me to dismiss my idols as not idols. I want to believe the lies. I want to obscure my idolatry. I cling to my sin in love just as Solomon clung to his wives in love.
The danger being that if I do not correct this, I too will have my heart turned away. I am prone to wander. I am prone to leave the God I love. I feel it. I feel it and it scares me. Yet, Jesus calls to me so often. He stands at the door of my heart and knocks. My gentle Savior stands ready and willing to come to me. His desire is for intimacy. His love is immense and deep. It is the love I am craving. It is the love I am seeking in every place. How do I keep from having my heart turned away? I daily make it a point to reorient my heart back to Jesus. Just like David, I need to express my love for Jesus through obedience, repentance, and faith in humility. I don’t have to clean myself up before I come to him. I simply come to him. He will cleanse me and clothe me in his righteousness. It is there in the bosom of Jesus that my heart will find all that it desires. And I will be at rest.