1. In the book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon touched on a number of lessons he had learned the hard way. a. He mentioned some of the mistakes he had made. b. He advised others, especially younger people, to avoid making the same mistakes. 2. This evening we are considering 3 mistakes made by Solomon that we read about in 1 Kings. 3. Our purpose for examining these mistakes is to help us see why we must: a. obey God's instructions b. beware of evil influence. 4. The first point we need to make is that . . .
Discussion:
I. GOD GAVE SOME INSTRUCTIONS TO THE KINGS OF ISRAEL IN DEUTERONOMY 17:14-17
A. (vs.14-15) Moses told the Israelites about a future time when they would be ruled by a king. 1. The Israelites would want a king like the surrounding nations. 2. Only an Israelite would be permitted to serve as king. 3. Furthermore, God would choose the king. B. (vs.16-17) The king who would serve in the future was forbidden to do 3 things. 1. (vs.16) The king was forbidden to multiply horses to himself, especially from Egypt. 2. (vs.17a) The king was forbidden to multiply wives to himself. 3. (vs.17b) The king was forbidden to multiply silver and gold to himself. C. Eventually, the Israelites requested a king (1 Samuel 8). D. Saul was the first king, David followed Saul, and Solomon followed David.
II. SOLOMON DISOBEYED THE INSTRUCTIONS THAT GOD GAVE IN DEUTERONOMY 17:14-17
A. Solomon multiplied horses to himself. 1. (1 Kings 4:26) "Solomon had forty thousand stalls of horses for his chariots." a. (1 Kings 10:26) Solomon had many chariots and horsemen. b. With this many chariots and horsemen, Solomon would place more trust in his army than in God. 2. (1 Kings 10:28a) "Solomon had horses brought out of Egypt." a. Egypt was known for its horses. b. God did not want His people to return to Egypt because He did not want them to be influenced by the Egyptians. B. Solomon multiplied to himself silver and gold. 1. (1 Kings 3:13) God had blessed Solomon with great riches. 2. However, Solomon taxed the people heavily, and he accumulated even greater riches (1 Kings 10:14-15, 21, 23). 3. By accumulating riches as he did, Solomon forgot God who had blessed him originally. C. Solomon multiplied wives to himself (1 Kings 11:1-8). D. Solomon paid a high price for disobeying God (1 Kings 11:9-11).
III. APPLICATION
A. We learn from Solomon's mistakes that God's will must be obeyed. 1. God had promised to bless Solomon if he would obey His will (1 Kings 3:14). 2. Unfortunately, Solomon disobeyed, and he paid a high price for doing so. 3. See Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 B. We also learn from Solomon's mistakes to beware of evil influence. 1. Consider these passages: a. 2 Corinthians 6:14 -- "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers" b. 1 Corinthians 15:33 -- "Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners." 2. Solomon's involvement with foreign women caused him to turn from God. a. Solomon loved his foreign wives, but they caused him to go after false gods. b. He went so far as to build places of worship for them. c. This is the same man that built the beautiful temple for Jehovah.
Conclusion:
1. Solomon demonstrated great wisdom when he was a young man. 2. However, he went on to demonstrate great foolishness by disobeying God's will. 3. Let us learn from his mistakes and avoid them.
