EGW Writings1 Kings 11

Conflict and Courage

What an Epitaph! July 5

CC 192.1

Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord. 2 Corinthians 6:17.

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Many who started out in life with as fair and promising a morning, in their limited sphere, as Solomon had in his exalted station, through one false and irrevocable step in the marriage relation, lose their souls, and draw others down to ruin with them. As Solomon’s wives turned his heart away from God to idolatry, so do frivolous companions, who have no depth of principle, turn away the hearts of those who were once noble and true, to vanity, corrupting pleasures, and downright vice.12The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 2:1031.

CC 192.3

Solomon flattered himself that his wisdom and the power of his example would lead his wives from idolatry to the worship of the true God, and also that the alliances thus formed would draw the nations round about into close touch with Israel. Vain hope! Solomon’s mistake in regarding himself as strong enough to resist the influence of heathen associates was fatal. And fatal, too, the deception that led him to hope that notwithstanding a disregard of God’s law on his part, others might be led to revere and obey its sacred precepts.13Prophets and Kings, 54.

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Let the sad memory of Solomon’s apostasy warn every soul to shun the same precipice.... The greatest king that ever wielded a scepter, of whom it had been said that he was the beloved of God, through misplaced affection became contaminated and was miserably forsaken of his God. The mightiest ruler of the earth had failed to rule his own passions. Solomon may have been saved “as by fire,” yet his repentance could not efface those high places, nor demolish those stones, which remained as evidences of his crimes. He dishonored God, choosing rather to be controlled by lust than to be a partaker of the divine nature. What a legacy Solomon’s life has committed to those who would use his example to cover their own base actions. We must either transmit a heritage of good or evil. Shall our lives and our example be a blessing or a curse? Shall people look at our graves and say, He ruined me, or, He saved me? 14The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 2:1031.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 21 (1906)

Ms 123, 1906

21LtMs, Ms 123, 1906, par. 5

I am to say to our people, watch and pray lest ye enter into temptation. Do you not perceive the signs of the times? I am instructed to say to every soul far and near, with pen and voice, every gift and faculty of the mind, soul, and heart and strength is to be exercised now, just now while in this waiting, working period you may strive to set things in order. But be sure that you give the trumpet a certain sound. Do not, any one, catch up a new message and, according to the tenor of that message, present some theory that will haul up the anchor and send the vessel adrift to the ruin of your own soul and other souls. Satan will have you work on these uncertain lines. Take up the work that the Lord outlined before you and that God bids you do, and give the Word of the Lord. 1 Kings chapter 11. This chapter is to be carefully studied. [Verses 26-29, quoted.]

Living by Principle

Marriage

PH048 21.5

1 Kings 11:2: Of the nations concerning which the Lord said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go in to them, neither shall they come in unto you: for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.

PH048 24.2

1 Kings 11:4: For it came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father.

Manuscript Releases, vol. 21 [Nos. 1501-1598]

MR No. 1580—Admonitions for a Wayward Minister

21MR 381.6

Of Solomon the inspired record says, “His wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God” [1 Kings 11:4].

Testimonies on Sexual Behavior, Adultery, and Divorce

Chapter 27—An Honored Minister

TSB 191.2

Of Solomon, the inspired record says, “His wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God” (1 Kings 11:4).

The Faith I Live By

Sunshine or Shadows? September 9

FLB 258.5

Of Solomon the Inspired Record says, “His wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God.” 1 Kings 11:4.... Let the sad memory of Solomon’s apostasy warn every soul to shun the same precipice.43SDA Bible Commentary 2:1031.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 4 (1883 - 1886)

Lt 51, 1886

4LtMs, Lt 51, 1886, par. 12

Of Solomon the inspired record says, “His wives turned away his heart after other gods and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God.” [1 Kings 11:4.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Lt 43, 1898

13LtMs, Lt 43, 1898, par. 21

Had you spiritual discernment to see your own case, could you see the influence of your course of action, and how offensive this course is to God, what carefulness would you exercise in the formation of friendships and companionships of men or women! How careful you would be to avoid lowering by your influence the standard of religious principle or sapping the foundation of religious faith of those who are looking at you. You are a spectacle to the world, to angels, and to men. Unsanctified, frivolous connections will produce fatal results to spirituality. By such connections you show that the word spoken of Solomon, “His heart was not perfect with the Lord his God,” are true of you. [1 Kings 11:4.]

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 13 (1898)

Ms 40, 1898

13LtMs, Ms 40, 1898, par. 18

Solomon’s heart was divided. His character was changed. How little dependence can be placed on human wisdom, human glory. From being a kind, just, God-fearing king, Solomon became a tyrant. His moral efficiency was gone, as the power is gone from a paralytic. He made an effort to incorporate light with darkness, to serve God and mammon. He felt at liberty to experiment in wild license. But Belial and purity could not mingle; and the course the king pursued brought its own penalty. He separated from God, and the knowledge of God departed from him. “His wives turned away his heart after other gods, and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God.” [1 Kings 11:4.]

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 3—Pride of Prosperity

PK 56.4

His wives exerted a strong influence over him and gradually prevailed on him to unite with them in their worship. Solomon had disregarded the instruction that God had given to serve as a barrier against apostasy, and now he gave himself up to the worship of the false gods. “It came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.” 1 Kings 11:4, 5.

PK 57.1

On the southern eminence of the Mount of Olives, opposite Mount Moriah, where stood the beautiful temple of Jehovah, Solomon erected an imposing pile of buildings to be used as idolatrous shrines. To please his wives, he placed huge idols, unshapely images of wood and stone, amidst the groves of myrtle and olive. There, before the altars of heathen deities, “Chemosh, the abomination of Moab,” and “Molech, the abomination of the children of Ammon,” were practiced the most degrading rites of heathenism. Verse 7.

From Splendor to Shadow

Attractive Women Prove a Snare

SS 29.1

His wives gradually prevailed on him to unite with them in their worship of false gods. “It came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods: and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.” 1 Kings 11:4, 5.

SS 29.2

Opposite Mount Moriah, Solomon erected imposing buildings as idolatrous shrines. To please his wives, he placed huge idols amidst the groves. There before the altars of heathen deities were practiced the most degrading rites of heathenism. 1 Kings 11:7.

Letters and Manuscripts — Volume 25 (1910 - 1915)

Ms 1, 1912

25LtMs, Ms 1, 1912, par. 1

“And Jeroboam the son of Nebat, an Ephrathite of Zereda, Solomon’s servant, whose mother was Zeruah, ... even he lifted up his hand against the king. And this was the cause that he lifted up his hand against the king: Solomon built Millo, and repaired the breaches of the city of David his father. And the man Jeroboam was a mighty man of valor: and Solomon seeing the young man that he was industrious, he made him ruler over all the charge of the house of Joseph.” [1 Kings 11:26-28.]

25LtMs, Ms 1, 1912, par. 4

“Howbeit I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand; but I will make him prince all the days of his life for My servant David’s sake, whom I chose, because he kept My commandments and My statutes; but I will take the kingdom out of his son’s hand, and give it unto thee, even ten tribes.” [Verses 29-35.]

25LtMs, Ms 1, 1912, par. 5

This was the chastisement of Solomon’s apostasy. He did not carry out the will of God, but allowed his wives to lead him into idolatry. “It came to pass, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned away his heart after other gods; and his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father. For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites. And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord.” [Verses 4-6.]

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 33—The Book of the Law

PK 402.6

On the southern slopes of Olivet, opposite the beautiful temple of Jehovah on Mount Moriah, were the shrines and images that had been placed there by Solomon to please his idolatrous wives. See 1 Kings 11:6-8. For upwards of three centuries the great, misshapen images had stood on the “Mount of Offense,” mute witnesses to the apostasy of Israel’s wisest king. These, too, were removed and destroyed by Josiah.

The Review and Herald

July 29, 1915

RH July 29, 1915, par. 13

On the southern slopes of Olivet, opposite the beautiful temple of Jehovah on Mt. Moriah, were the shrines and images that had been placed there by Solomon to please his idolatrous wives. See 1 Kings 11:6-8. For upward of three centuries the great, misshapen images had stood on the “Mount of Offense,” mute witnesses to the apostasy of Israel’s wisest king. These, too, were removed and destroyed by Josiah.

From Splendor to Shadow

Three-Hundred-Year-Old Prophecy Fulfilled

SS 211.1

On the southern slopes of Olivet, opposite the beautiful temple of Jehovah on Mount Moriah, were shrines and images placed there by Solomon to please his idolatrous wives. See 1 Kings 11:6-8. For upwards of three centuries the great, misshapen images had stood, mute witness to the apostasy of Israel’s wisest king. These, too, were destroyed by Josiah.

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 5—Solomon’s Repentance

PK 75.1

Twice during Solomon’s reign the Lord had appeared to him with words of approval and counsel—in the night vision at Gibeon, when the promise of wisdom, riches, and honor was accompanied by an admonition to remain humble and obedient; and after the dedication of the temple, when once more the Lord exhorted him to faithfulness. Plain were the admonitions, wonderful the promises, given to Solomon; yet of him who in circumstances, in character, and in life seemed abundantly fitted to heed the charge and meet the expectation of Heaven, it is recorded: “He kept not that which the Lord commanded.” “His heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods.” 1 Kings 11:9, 10. And so complete was his apostasy, so hardened his heart in transgression, that his case seemed well-nigh hopeless.

PK 77.1

Yet the Lord forsook him not. By messages of reproof and by severe judgments, He sought to arouse the king to a realization of the sinfulness of his course. He removed His protecting care and permitted adversaries to harass and weaken the kingdom. “The Lord stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite.... And God stirred him up another adversary, Rezon, ... captain over a band,” who “abhorred Israel, and reigned over Syria. And Jeroboam, ... Solomon’s servant,” “a mighty man of valor,” “even he lifted up his hand against the king.” 1 Kings 11:14-28.

PK 77.2

At last the Lord, through a prophet, delivered to Solomon the startling message: “Forasmuch as this is done of thee, and thou hast not kept My covenant and My statutes, which I have commanded thee, I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant. Notwithstanding in thy days I will not do it for David thy father’s sake: but I will rend it out of the hand of thy son.” Verses 11, 12.

From Splendor to Shadow

Chapter 5—Solomon’s Deep Repentance

SS 40.1

Plain were the admonitions, wonderful the promises given to Solomon; yet of him it is recorded: “He kept not that which the Lord commanded.” “His heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice, and had commanded him concerning this thing, that he should not go after other gods.” 1 Kings 11:10, 9. So hardened was his heart in transgression, that his case seemed well-nigh hopeless.

SS 41.1

Yet the Lord forsook him not. By reproof and severe judgments He sought to arouse the king to realize the sinfulness of his course. He permitted adversaries to harass and weaken the kingdom. “The Lord stirred up an adversary unto Solomon, Hadad the Edomite.” And “Jeroboam ..., Solomon’s servant,” “a mighty man of valor,” “even he lifted up his hand against the king.” 1 Kings 11:14, 26-28.

Prophets and Kings

Chapter 6—The Rending of the Kingdom

PK 87.1

“Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the City of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.” 1 Kings 11:43.

PK 87.3

Among those present was Jeroboam the son of Nebat—the same Jeroboam who during Solomon’s reign had been known as “a mighty man of valor,” and to whom the prophet Ahijah the Shilonite had delivered the startling message, “Behold, I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee.” 1 Kings 11:28, 31.

PK 87.4

The Lord through His messenger had spoken plainly to Jeroboam regarding the necessity of dividing the kingdom. This division must take place, He had declared, “because that they have forsaken Me, and have worshiped Ashtoreth the goddess of the Zidonians, Chemosh the god of the Moabites, and Milcom the god of the children of Ammon, and have not walked in My ways, to do that which is right in Mine eyes, and to keep My statutes and My judgments, as did David.” Verse 33.

PK 88.1

Jeroboam had been further instructed that the kingdom was not to be divided before the close of Solomon’s reign. “I will not take the whole kingdom out of his hand,” the Lord had declared; “but I will make him prince all the days of his life for David My servant’s sake, whom I chose, because he kept My commandments and My statutes: but I will take the kingdom out of his son’s hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes.” Verses 34, 35.

From Splendor to Shadow

Chapter 6—Rehoboam’s Arrogance: The Rending of the Kingdom

SS 46.1

“Solomon slept with his fathers, ... and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.” 1 Kings 11:43.

SS 46.2

Soon after his accession to the throne, Rehoboam went to Shechem, where he expected to receive formal recognition from all the tribes. “To Shechem were all Israel come to make him king.” 2 Chronicles 10:1. Among those present was Jeroboam, who during Solomon’s reign had been known as “a mighty man of valor,” and to whom the prophet Ahijah had delivered the startling message, “Thus saith the Lord, ... I will rend the kingdom out of the hand of Solomon, and will give ten tribes to thee.” 1 Kings 11:28, 31.

SS 46.3

The Lord through His messenger had spoken plainly to Jeroboam. This division must take place, He had declared, because Solomon “has forsaken Me, ... and has not walked in My ways, doing what is right in My sight and keeping My statutes and My ordinances, as David his father did.” 1 Kings 11:33, RSV. Yet Jeroboam had also been instructed that the kingdom was not to be divided before the close of Solomon’s reign: “I will make him prince all the days of his life for David My servant’s sake, whom I chose, because he kept My commandments and My statutes: but I will take the kingdom out of his son’s hand, and will give it unto thee, even ten tribes.” 1 Kings 11:34, 35.

The Review and Herald

July 3, 1913

RH July 3, 1913, par. 1

“Solomon slept with his fathers, and was buried in the city of David his father: and Rehoboam his son reigned in his stead.” 1 Kings 11:43.