God established a covenant with His people to live together in unity and love. Though God was always faithful to His promises, the people were not. They broke the union when they drifted away and went after other gods. And with a broken contract, there were consequences.
The Kingdom of Israel
The Israelites' freedom journey to the Promised Land began with Moses leading them out of slavery in Egypt. God’s intention was that Israel would be a “holy nation” that exemplified God’s love and greatness to other nations.
In order to live together in harmony, God established a covenant, the Ten Commandments. As in a sacred bond of marriage, faithfulness was vital.
The first two commandments set the boundaries for the relationship. "You shall have no other gods before Me, and You shall make no idols (Exodus 20:1-3). The rules of living together under the divine care of God garnered the best of everything in life.
On the journey, God miraculously provided food, water from rocks, and protection from enemies. Despite all the miracles, the people soon rebelled.
While Moses was on the mount receiving the commands from God, they fashioned a golden calf, saying, “These are your gods, O Israel, who brought you up out of the land of Egypt!” (Exodus 22:4).
Although God graciously gave opportunities to be faithful, yet, many died in their rebellion, a pattern that continued through the 40 years in the wilderness and into the new land.
Once in the Promised Land, they wanted to be like other nations and have their own earthy king, thus rejecting God (1 Samuel 8:20). God told Samuel, the prophet of Israel, to allow it (1 Samuel 8:21).
God chose Saul as the first king. Just like the people, he failed to obey God. Therefore, God removed him and anointed David, "a man after God's own heart” who loved God and was quick to repent when he failed.
David united the kingdom and, to honor God, wanted to build a Temple in Jerusalem. But God said David’s second son, Solomon, would construct the Temple.
“But you will have a son who will be a man of peace and rest, and I will give him rest from all his enemies on every side. His name will be Solomon, and I will grant Israel peace and quiet during his reign. He is the one who will build a house for my Name. He will be my son, and I will be his father. And I will establish the throne of his kingdom over Israel forever” (1 Chronicles 22:9-10).
Early in his kingship, Solomon humbly asked for divine wisdom to rule His people. And the Lord was pleased.
“Moreover, I will give you what you have not asked for — both wealth and honor — so that in your lifetime you will have no equal among kings. And if you walk in obedience to me and keep my decrees and commands as David your father did, I will give you a long life" (1 Kings 3:13-14)
God blessed Solomon with all God had promised. “God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore” (1 Kings 4:29-34).
In the fourth year of Solomon’s reign, Israel’s golden age, he constructed the magnificent Temple to honor God.
Seven years later, at the Temple Dedication, Solomon instructed the people, "May your hearts be fully committed to the LORD our God, to live by his decrees and obey his commands as at this time" (1 Kings 8:61).
God took pleasure in Solomon’s rule and fulfilled His promise of peace, prosperity, honor, and wealth during his 40-year reign.
Later in life, however, this wisest King, Solomon, allowed his affections to wander. He ignored the very words he penned, “Above all else, guard your heart for everything you do flows from it” (Proverbs 4:23).
The Split
Solomon built prominent places for the idols of his 300 wives and 700 concubines. These places of idolatry included the abhorrent practice of child sacrifice. "They do all kinds of detestable things the Lord hates. They even burn their sons and daughters in the fire as sacrifices to their gods" (Deuteronomy 12:31).
So the Lord said to Solomon, "Since this is your attitude and you have not kept my Covenant and my decrees, which I commanded you, I will most certainly tear the kingdom away from you and give it to one of your subordinates. Nevertheless, for the sake of David your father, I will not do it during your lifetime. I will tear it out of the hand of your son (1 Kings 11:11-12).
The Kingdom was split into the Northern Kingdom of Israel and the southern Kingdom of Judah. The reason? They turned away from God and broke the Covenant, thereby coming out from under God’s care and protection (2 Chronicles 7:19-22).
Solomon’s rebellion initiated the collapse of the nation. Eventually, the Temple was destroyed. All the essential buildings were burned, and the city was in ruins (2 Kings 25:9). After Solomon, a multitude of rebellious kings, led the nation, the Babylonians took into exile Israel for 70 years.
What Can We Learn from This Story?
God is a gracious, loving God who wants to pour out abundant blessings on His people. Our part is to love Him, living by the agreements found in the Covenant, the sacred scriptures. When we do, God’s favor rests on our families, our land, and our government. When we don’t, evil rises.
We, like Solomon, have drifted away from God as a nation. And look at the chaos we are in!
Our nation, “One nation under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all,” was founded upon God's laws. America has been a recipient of God's bountiful blessings.
John Adams, second president of our nation, said, “It would be impossible to govern rightly without God and the Bible."
Harry Truman, the 33rd president, understood the necessity of living by God's laws. “The fundamental basis of this nation's laws was given to Moses on the Mount. If we don't have a proper fundamental moral background, we will finally end up with a totalitarian government which does not believe in rights for anybody except the State."
American historian David Barton states, “He [God] is jealous because He knows there is only one God that man can worship and remain free — all others, who are not gods, will only seek to enslave and control" (The Founder's Bible note).
God spoke these words to Solomon after the Temple dedication. And they remain true today.
“If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land” (2 Chronicles 7:14).
For further reading:
What Is the Significance of the Twelve Tribes of Israel in the Bible?
Why Did Israel Want an Earthly King When They Had God?
What Is the Mosaic Covenant? Bible Meaning Explained
King Solomon in the Bible: His Story and Words of Wisdom
How Is Jesus the 'Lamb of God' and the 'Lion of the Tribe of Judah'?
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