The Pulpit Commentary — 1 Kings — Section 225

2. Then the heatrt rules the head. (1) This is the next stage and inevitable. This may be disputed long, but will assert itself in time. Observe well that when Solomon was " old " he so far yielded to the influence of his wives as to encolll'age and join in their idolatry. (2) Probably his vices made him prematurely old. Calmat supposes him to have been eighteen years old when he ea.me to the throne, and he reigned forty years (ver. 42). Tims ha could be only fifty-eight at his death. 3. Finally the wise man becomes a fool. (1) Behold this wisest of men trying to solve the impossible problem of serving Jehovah and Ashtaroth I He went not fully after the Lord his God as did David his father. (2) David indeed fell into grievous sin, but his offence was more directly against man ; indirectly against God. E'rnn then the offence as against God was the venom of his crimes (Psa. Ji. 4). But the sin of Solomon was against God directly. Note : Offences against society are denounced without mercy by men, while the mental rebellion of the unbeliever against God is even glorified as '' honest doubt I'' but the Bible is explicit that '' He that believeth not shall be damned." (3) Behold this wise man further building a temple to Molech, the murderer, the devil, on the Mount of Olives, over against the temple of the Lord, the glorious work of his royal yoa.th ! Could folly go farther? (4) The mischief of Solomon's idolatry remained to the times of Josiah (see 2 Kings x:xiii. 13). Who can say that it terminated even then 'l Eternity will declare.-M. Vera. 9-18.-The Anger of God. This is the inevitable consequence of sin. Had God expressed no displeasure against Solomon, what mischief might not his example have wrought? The terrible judgments of the great day will have a most salutary effect upon the order and stability of the whole moral universe. If men su:fli.ciently considered these things they would hesitate before they plunged into vices. Let us be admonished from this history as to- I. How THE ANGER OF GoD IS PROVOKED, It is provoked-!. By the turning away of the heatrt from Him. (1) And justly so, for to do this is to outrage the highest propriety. God is everything that should engage the affections of an intelligent creature-" the perfection of beauty;" "the altogether lovely." (2) For to do this is the straight road to the deepest demoralization. Man is made in the image of God expressly that his nature may have its perfection in union and oommunion with Him. To turn away from God must lead to depravation evermore. This, in other words, is everlasting damnation. (3) Then let us keep olll' hearts {Prov. iv. 23). No diligence should be spared. Our life is in it. 2. By doing this wantonly. (1) It was an aggravation of Solomon's sin that God had appeared to him. Review the circumstances of the vision he witnessed before he set about the building of the temple (see eh. iii. 5-15). He could not have been wholly ignorant of the glorious character of God. (2) It was a. further aggravation that God had appeared to him twice (var. 9). Review the circumstances of the vision after the work of the temple was finished (see eh. ix. 1-9). Note: Privileges imply corresponding responsibilities. Note further: God keeps account of His favours conferred upon us, though we may forget them. He will remind us of them all in the great day of judgment. (3) It was an additional aggravation that he had been forewarned of the very evils into which he fell. And the promises of God to him had been so remarkably verified that he had the best reason to accept the truth of His admonitions. How slow of heart o.re the men to believe the inflexibility of Divine justice! (4) A king who exaots obedience from subjects, or a master who claims the obedience of servants, should be the last to forget his duty to God. Consider- H. How THE ANGER oF GoD IS EXPRESSED. It is expressed-!. In the severity of justice. (1) The kingdom of Solomon wo.s now doomed to be rent. He had divided his affections (between Jehovah and Molech), so are the affections of his subjects now to be divided. (2) A considerable portion of his kingdom is to be turned over to one of his servants. What a fitness there is in this judgment also I Solomon, the servant of God, rebelled against God; Jeroboam, the servant of Solomon, rebels against Solomon. (3) What a. melancholy reversal I 'l'ime wa.s 228 THE FIRST BOOK OF KINGS. [OH, XI, 1-18,