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What an Epitaph!, July 5
1 Kings 3:1
;
1 Kings 11:1-8
Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the
Lord.
2 Corinthians 6:17
.
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
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
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
[193]
12
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 2:1031
.
13
Prophets and Kings, 54
.
14
The S.D.A. Bible Commentary 2:1031
.
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