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“As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord His God, as the heart of David his father had been.” I Kings 11:4(ESV)

Ever noticed that the obvious isn’t always what happens? I’m sure we’ve all been there when things didn’t fall into place the way we envisioned. The one we thought was a sure in for the job didn’t get it. The one chosen to sing wasn’t the best soprano in the choir. The one selected to speak didn’t even go to college. The one who had the most friends was they quietest in the group. All the rationale we can dream up doesn’t even come close to the reality.

Divine placements at pivot moments with the least likely shattering our predictions. The Psalmist David was the youngest and overlooked son destined to be king. A shepherd boy at best not a privileged royal, yet God’s chosen man for the job. Fast forward and we find, Solomon, David’s son humbly desiring nothing more than wisdom and discernment for his reign on the throne.
Hailed as the wisest and wealthiest king ever, Solomon would be our obvious choice to serve as a standard for future kings. Flip through the pages of I Kings, and you will find a totally different story. David not Solomon was the measuring stick God used when describing other kings. Why would God choose David – a murderer and adulterer? Despite his obvious sin, David acknowledged his wrong and turned his heart back to God (Psalm 51). Nothing more beautiful than a redeemed soul – David was described by God as a man after His own heart.

So what about Solomon – you know the one who had it all? Solomon’s heart became divided. He loved many foreign wives who lead his heart away from God and into idol worship. Never do we hear even one simple, humble acknowledgment that sin had crept in and stole his heart away. No prayers of confession and forgiveness fill the pages of his story in scripture.

The obvious didn’t happen because God doesn’t look at the obvious on the surface. He looks deep into the heart. And what David’s heart revealed was a genuine sorrow that led to his repentance. God honored his covenant of love with David and kept His promises, but the holiness of our God couldn’t justify or overlook the sins of kings who came after him.

Note to self: Only God sees the heart of His creation. He alone knows the motives and desires that reside within each action and reaction. The visible tangible unveils our true depth – do we love Him more than all of these?

“Father nestled in the midst of great blessings lies the temptation to worship the gifts more than the Gifter. Help us to choose You over all the rest.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life