“As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God.” 1 Kings 11:4
The trouble was all in Solomon’s heart! It is the heart which needs watching and keeping with all diligence. The heart must be wholly devoted in its aim and motive, to God and His service.
Solomon had a corner in his heart for the Lord — and then other corners for the gods of all the other nations. The Savior’s words are: “You cannot serve both God and mammon.”
We need to be on our guard against Solomonian religion! There is plenty of it these days. It abhors the preaching of the stern truths of God’s Word about sin and punishment, and about holiness. It sends well-near everybody to Heaven — and regards Hell as a mere fable! It calls holy Christians “puritanic” or “strait-laced.” It calls great sins “escapades,” and finds no use for such psalms as the fifty-first.
It is not hard to see in this verse, however — which of the two kinds of religion pleases God best, and which leads to the best end.
J.R. Miller was a pastor and former editorial superintendent of the Presbyterian Board of Publication from 1880 to 1911. His works are now in the public domain.
