The longer Solomon rules, the more his lust for money, pleasures, women, horses, and physical beauty increases. He forgets his promise to his father and to God—that he will live according to the Law of Moses and champion wisdom, justice, and humility. Solomon’s foreign wives tempt him to worship idols and encourage him to nurture his ego, leading Solomon to become arrogant. God punishes Solomon’s sins by splitting his kingdom. However, out of respect for Solomon’s father, this sentence will be carried out only following Solomon’s death, when his son becomes king. And this is indeed what comes to pass—during the days of Rehoboam’s rule, ten tribes will secede from the united kingdom, leaving only the tribes of Judah and Benjamin to continue being ruled under the Davidic dynasty.
“But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites; 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” (1 Kings 11:1-2)
“Wherefore the LORD said unto Solomon, 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.” (1 Kings 11:11-13)
Proportionality is finding the appropriate response to any situation or challenge; neither too little nor too much.
