First, if we go the way of the world, then we’ll pay for that way.

“King Solomon, however, loved many foreign women along with the daughter of Pharaoh—women of Moab, Ammon, Edom, and Sidon, as well as Hittite women. These women were from the nations about which the LORD had told the Israelites, “You must not intermarry with them, for surely they will turn your hearts after their gods.” Yet Solomon clung to these women in love. He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines—and his wives turned his heart away.” vs1-2

Solomon was loved by God, and he didn’t lose covenant privileges, but one of the privileges is chastisement, and God whips us sorely.

“For the Lord disciplines whom He loves, and He scourges every son whom He receives.” [Heb 12:6]

He does not spare at our crying, but He accomplishes His eternal purpose, which is for our good and for His glory. He will bring us down and make us cry,

“Futility of futilities,” says the Teacher, “futility of futilities! Everything is futile!” [Eccl 1:2]

We must be convinced that God does right, and we are wrong, then we can turn to Him in mercy, and better sooner than later [Prov 28:14; Prov 29:1]. Someone smart confesses they are wrong quickly, so they can move on. They learn.

Admit that you’ve been wrong, and He’ll remove His rod from you. Do not think that you can do wrong and prosper.

Secondly, we can do evil when we grow old. vs4-8

“For when Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and he was not wholeheartedly devoted to the LORD his God, as his father David had been. Solomon followed Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians and Milcoma the abomination of the Ammonites. So Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD; unlike his father David, he did not follow the LORD completely.

At that time on a hill east of Jerusalem, Solomon built a high place for Chemosh the abomination of Moab and for Molech the abomination of the Ammonites. He did the same for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods.” vs4-8

Be on guard. Just because a man has served faithfully does not mean that he’ll continue in faithfulness. Solomon lost none of his salvation, but he hurt the kingdom, and the same happened with King Asa. He served faithfully for a long time but got lifted up in pride.

“For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is fully devoted to Him. You have acted foolishly in this matter. From now on, therefore, you will be at war.’

Asa was angry with the seer and became so enraged over this matter that he put the man in prison. And at the same time Asa oppressed some of the people.” [2 Chron 16:9-10]

King Uzziah, in pride, thought he was special, and many old preachers have lost the faithfulness of times past.

“But when Uzziah grew powerful, his arrogance led to his own destruction. He was unfaithful to the LORD his God, for he entered the temple of the LORD to burn incense on the altar of incense.” [2 Chron 26:16]

Learn the lesson:

1. We must trust the Scripture alone. Trust no man because of past faithfulness, but weigh everything by the word of God.

2. Keep to Christ, not our own achievements. If you have done well, then it is by grace, and grace must see you through. Keep leaning on the Sovereign Son of God, and He will assist you even in old age.

3. Look at the faithfulness of Christ. We deserve hell, but He’s paid for all our sins!

Finally, our faithfulness can help others! vs11-13

“Then the LORD said to Solomon, “Because you have done this and have not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded you, I will tear the kingdom away from you and give it to your servant. Nevertheless, for the sake of your father David, I will not do it during your lifetime; I will tear it out of the hand of your son. Yet I will not tear the whole kingdom away from him. I will give one tribe to your son for the sake of My servant David and for the sake of Jerusalem, which I have chosen.”

David is why the kingdom wasn’t taken from Solomon sooner, but the Lord waited until he died. It was not because of Solomon but his father.

Learn the lessons:

1. Christ is our great David at God’s right hand making intercession for us. Because of Him, we are spared. When we don’t deserve mercy, we get mercy. Mercy is for the underserved and comes because of the merit of Jesus Christ.

2. Faithful parents help their children. David’s own sin caused his sons to rape and kill each other, caused his son to seek his throne, and God had to hang Absalom by his pretty locks [2 Sam 12:10-12]. But, Solomon was in the NEW COVENANT, and God used David’s faithfulness to bless him.