I am reading through I Kings today and was struck by these verses:
“Now King Solomon loved many foreign women, along with the daughter of Pharaoh: Moabite, Ammonite, Edomite, Sidonian, and Hittite women, from the nations concerning which the Lord had said to the people of Israel, ‘You shall not enter into marriage with them, neither shall they with you, for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods.’ Solomon clung to these in love” (I Kings 11:1-2).
A wise, rich, blessed King of Israel…fallen.
“God, keep us from reading this verse and judging Solomon for his seeming stupidity. Instead, may we cry out with humility and desperation:
‘Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways’ (Psalm 119:35-36).
Amen.”