The Foolishness of Solomon 1Kings 10-11

The Foolishness of Solomon 1Kings 10-11

Big Idea: If the wisest man can move to folly, what keeps us from going down the same path?

1 Kings 3:3-34- Builds the temple; solidifies the kingdom, brings peace and riches, yet despite his wisdom, goes sideways.

1 Kings 2:2-3- God gave clear conditions with a promise for a king in Deuteronomy 17:

1. V.4-17 don’t multiply horses, wives, or wealth; why? Dependence and influence that disconnect us from reliance on God. 1 Kings 10:14,21,26,28. 1 Kings 11:1-9.
2. V.18-19 stay faithful to God’s Word.

What do we learn from Solomon’s failures? Three Application Lessons:

1. Walk in Wisdom- Wisdom is knowledge applied (anchored in obedience). Deut. 17:19 if he reads it daily, he will learn the fear of the Lord. V.20 Then his heart will not be exalted and he will not turn from this commandment …
2. Guard what guides: Deut. 17:17 commands kings not to multiply wives, and wealth. Why? They influence. Hebrews 12:1-2 in any race, the key is to throw off anything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. Solution:
3. Stay Anchored- Guard Against Drift: (1 Kings 11:4-8) How? Heb. 12:2 Fix your eyes on Jesus.

NT Parallel: The Slippery Slope of Romans 1

A. Suppressing the Truth (Romans 1:18): Solomon, despite knowing God, suppressed the truth of God’s commands and character by not being anchored in truth.

B. Futile Thinking and Darkened Hearts (Romans 1:21): Though wise, his mind became futile in spiritual matters. His heart, once devoted, became darkened by sin and idolatry.

C. Claiming Wisdom, Becoming Foolish (Romans 1:22): His “wisdom” led to the depths of his foolishness and the paradox of intellectual brilliance coupled with spiritual depravity.

D. Given Over to Degrading Passions and a Debased Mind (Romans 1:24, 28):  The consequences of his choices led to further sin and spiritual decay (impacted others).

Grow Group Questions (or personal application):

1. What are the seemingly small compromises or influences that, left unchecked, could pull your heart away from God?
2. What habits could help you build a stronger, daily dependence on Him, and what often distracts you or gets your eyes off of Jesus?
3. What are some “good” things in your life that, if left unguarded, could become ultimate things or even idols?
4. Think about a time when relying on your own wisdom or strength led to trouble or drift from God. What did you learn from that experience, and how could it help someone else avoid the same mistake?
5. What does practically “fearing the Lord” and “walking in wisdom” look like in our daily lives?

Slippery Slope of Solomon’s Spiritual Decline

Step 1: Anchored—Daily Devotion to God’s Word (Deut. 17:19)- Priority

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Step 2: Neglect—Stops Daily Scripture (Anchor weakens); Romans 1:18 we suppress the truth in part by ignoring it (equivalent to rejecting it).

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Step 3: Pride Rises—Ceases to Fear the Lord, replaced by self-importance. The beginning stages of Romans 1:21 of futile thinking and an ever-darkening heart (the slow drift begins).

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Step 4: Self-Reliance—Leans on Own Understanding; an ever-increasing drift continues.

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Step 5: Once we reject God and his word as our authority, we are open to ever increasing wrong influences (wives, wealth, alliances, personal wisdom)

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Step 6: Subtle Compromises Start, making further compromise easy.

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Step 7: Full Compromise—Idolatry and Sin full blown with time. Romans 1:22 Claiming to be wise, we end up fools

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Step 8: Spiritual Blindness—Can’t See Wisely; Romans 1:24 Given over to sinful passions

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Step 9: END: Ruin, Sorrow, Legacy Wasted (Ecclesiastes 1:2); Romans 1:28- Debased minds.