Solomon did not fully follow the Lord

Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and did not fully follow the LORD, as did his father David. – 1 Kings 11v6

Solomon’s fall was quick. We see a hint here of why He fell the way he did. Solomon seemed like he was doing it all right. He did a great work in building the Temple. His post construction challenge to the people is a model for anyone trying to keep people on the right track. His godly wisdom amazed the world and drew foreign leaders to find out more. He seemed like the perfect leader.

But we saw yesterday that he had at least one problem – he loved many foreign women. I could go on more about that, but am going to go ahead and move on.

Here in verse six we see the root of the problem. Though he seemed like he was doing okay, Solomon had a problem in that he did not fully follow the Lord. He may have followed Him part way. In fact he may have followed Him most of the way. The problem is that He did not follow the Lord the whole way.

God really desires one kind of ‘followership’ from His people. We can’t do it halfway either. Elijah charged the people with these words – ‘How long are you going to falter between God and Baal? If the Lord be God follow Him and if Baal be god then follow him.’ Joshua said ‘Choose today who you are going to serve.’ Jesus said that we can not follow both God and wealth. We have to choose. We can’t have it both ways.

‘Whether therefore you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.’ ‘Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all you might.’

There is no place for half-hearted service to the Lord. Solomon learned that lesson with tragic effects. What will it take for us to learn it?