Solomon was quite a conundrum. He was so wise and full of potential as a servant of God and yet his imperfections were not only present but ultimately superceded his possibilities. His wisdom came from God but his desires and priorities laid elsewhere. Solomon is a larger example of the very issues that we all struggle with on a much smaller, but equally dangerous level. And it all could be attributed to an imperfect heart.
Title: Solomon – A Man With an Imperfect Heart
Text: 1 Kings 11:4-13
Main Point: King Solomon was the poster child for those whose life’s potential has gone sour. No man has ever been given greater opportunity – wealth, wisdom, and power – and wasted it in such an incredible way. What was it within Solomon that caused him to take all of the ability he had in serving God and country and waste it? He had an imperfect heart. Issues of the heart are a common problem we must regularly combat. Considering all of the attacks on the heart daily we must be on constant guard to protect it because when the heart begins to stray it doesn’t take long for the life to follow. In the text the writer discusses at least six different imperfections in Solomon’s heart that caused him to fail so miserably as a king and man of God. We must be careful to not allow similar imperfections to taint our hearts.
§ An Imperfect Heart is a Divided Heart (vs. 4-5)– Solomon was a prime example of being able to give good instruction, but failed to follow it himself. Example – 1 Kings 8:61. The advice contained in that passage is so incredible that all people should incorporate it fully. However, as the result of Solomon’s love for strange women he refused to accept his own advice himself (1 Kings 11:4). What a terrible waste of wisdom – to know it but not follow it. Such depicts an imperfect heart every time; it is divided.
§ An Imperfect Heart is a Distant Heart (vs. 6) – “And Solomon did evil in the sight of the Lord, and went not fully after the Lord, as did David his father” (1 Kings 11:6). What a telling statement regarding the degree to which Solomon’s faith had plummeted. Such is reminiscent of Peter who followed the Lord from a distance (Matthew 26:58). God’s expectation toward us is to draw near to Him, not fall away into the distance (James 4:8; Psalm 73:28). The heart that will be made complete before God will not be a distant heart.
§ An Imperfect Heart is a Defiled Heart (vs. 7-8)– One of the most corrupting practices in which a soul can engage is the pursuit of other gods (Exodus 20:3-4). And yet that was the very practice in which we see Solomon involved. Jesus explained how such defilement in the heart can lead to outward defilement (Matthew 15:16-20). When the heart is imperfect it is sure to lead to an imperfect (defiled) life.
§ An Imperfect Heart is a Displeasing Heart (vs. 9)– To displease God means that we place ourselves under His chastening hand resulting in sorrow of heart and soreness of spirit. On multiple occasions God had personally blessed Solomon above and beyond the normal realm (1 Kings 3:5; 9:2). Solomon continued to reject God’s will for his life. Such should not have been surprising to Solomon who knew the history of God’s anger (Psalm 106:32-40). Israel displeased God through their sin and He kindled His anger against them. Such imperfection of the heart will always result in being displeasing before God.
§ An Imperfect Heart is a Disobedient Heart (vs. 10)– Solomon fell short in two specific areas. He married “strange women” against which God had given plain instruction (Deuteronomy 7:3-4). He went after “strange gods” contrary to God’s expectations (Exodus 20:3-4). When the heart is rooted in rebellion and disobedience that attitude is going to produce itself in works as well. Such occurred with Solomon, his imperfection of heart leads to disobedience.
§ An Imperfect Heart is a Disintegrating Heart (vs. 11) – Solomon’s imperfect heart ultimately lead to the downfall of both him and his kingdom. Solomon did not live long enough to see the kingdom torn apart, but it only took one generation before a significant shift in that direction came. Worse, Solomon’s sins did not just affect outward, but inward. Sin will cause a person’s life to be destroyed (broken marriages, broken homes, broken spirits, broken lives).
There are so many great lessons we can learn from Solomon, it is regrettable that such spiritually sordid information exists. Let us resolve to perfect our hearts with God’s word so that the history of our lives reads much differently than Solomon’s.