1 Kings #11: an exposition of 1 Kings 11:1-43. This message by Pastor Rod Harris was delivered at Trinity Baptist Church on Sunday evening, April 26, 2015
Intro:
The strip opens with Lucy reading a book to Linus. “So the king was granted his wish. Everything he touched turned to gold! Now the next day…” Linus jumps to his feet and says, “Stop! You don’t have to read any further. I know exactly what’s going to happen.” As he walks away Linus mumbles, “These things always have a way of backfiring.” Do you ever feel like things are too good to be true? Have you ever had that feeling that some disaster is about to ruin your party? Around my house when I hear, “The toilet’s not flushing.” I respond, “Of course it’s not!” I’m not exactly Eeyore but when things are going pretty good, I’m certain it’s not going to last. In 1 Kings chapter 10 king Solomon is flying high. It’s good to be king. Dignitaries from around the world are coming to witness firsthand the wisdom and glory of Israel’s king. God blessed Solomon with wisdom to rule his people well and He threw in wealth and fame because Solomon’s heart was in the right place. In 1 Kings 3:3 we read, “Solomon loved the LORD, walking in the statutes of David his father.” In chapter 8 at the dedication of the temple Solomon declared, “O LORD, God of Israel, there is no God like you, in heaven above or on earth beneath, keeping covenant and showing steadfast love to your servants who walk before you with all their heart” (8:23). In chapter 10 the queen of Sheba is astounded by Solomon’s wisdom and wealth. She declares that God has indeed blessed Israel with such a great leader. We are then overwhelmed by the riches of his kingdom as we are taken on a guided tour of the royal compound. Then everything changes. Our text this evening is found in 1 Kings chapter 11.
Text: 1 Kings 11:1-43
11:1a – Now King Solomon loved many foreign women…
11:6 – So Solomon did what was evil in the sight of the LORD and did not wholly follow the LORD, as David his father had done.
11:9a – And the LORD was angry with Solomon…
This seems rather abrupt. I’m convinced the author wants us to think that way. He intends us to be jolted by this sea-shift change. But it was not sudden. In fact look at verse 4, “For when Solomon was old his wives turned away his heart after other gods…”
This was not sudden at all. This was a gentle, subtle shift over time. Like drifting along the shore. Unperceived until you have drifted far from the shore. As we work our way through this chapter I want us to note that…
Thesis: Solomon’s epic fall serves as a bitter reminder of the wickedness of sin and the wonder of God’s grace.
There are three (3) things I want to point out along the way.
- An impressive beginning does not ensure a godly end. (11:1-8, 41-43)
- Unrighteousness and willful neglect of God’s commands incur God’s sovereign judgment. (11:9-11, 14-31, 33, 38)
- God’s covenant of grace secures God’s mercy despite our wicked ways. (11:11-12, 32, 34-37, 39)