Self-Sacrifice
191
There is a lesson for us in the history of Solomon. The early life
of this king of Israel was bright with promise. He chose the wisdom
of God, and the glory of his reign excited the wonder of the world. He
might have gone from strength to strength, from character to character,
even approaching nearer the similitude of the character of God; but
how sad his history; he was exalted to most sacred positions of trust,
but he proved unfaithful. He grew into self-sufficiency, pride, self-
exaltation. The lust for political power and self-aggrandizement led
him to form alliances with heathen nations. The silver of Tarshish
and the gold of Ophir were procured at a terrible expense, even the
sacrifice of integrity, the betrayal of sacred trusts. Association with
idolaters corrupted his faith; one false step led to another; there was a
breaking down of the barriers which God had erected for the safety of
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His people; his life was corrupted by polygamy; and at last he gave
himself to the worship of false gods. A character that had been firm
and pure and elevated became weak, marked with moral inefficiency.
Evil counselors were not wanting, who swayed that once noble, in-
dependent mind as they chose, because he did not make God his guide
and counselor. His fine sensibilities became blunted; the conscientious,
considerate spirit of his early reign was changed. Self-indulgence was
his god; and, as the result, severe judgment and cruel tyranny marked
his course. The extravagance practiced in selfish indulgence necessi-
tated a grinding taxation upon the poor. From the wisest king that ever
swayed a scepter, Solomon became a despot. As a king he had been
the idol of the nation, and that which he said and did was copied. His
example exerted an influence the result of which can be fully known
only when the works of all shall come in review before God, and every
man shall be judged according to the deeds done in the body.
Oh, how can God bear with the misdeeds of those who have had
great light and advantages, and yet follow the course of their own
choosing, to their eternal harm! Solomon, who at the dedication of the
temple had solemnly charged the people, “Let your heart therefore be
perfect with the Lord our God” (
1 Kings 8:61
), chose his own way,
and in his heart separated from God. The mind that was once given to
God and inspired of Him to write the most precious words of wisdom
(the book of Proverbs),—truths which are immortalized,—that noble
mind, through evil associations and yielding to temptation, became
inefficient, weak in moral power, and Solomon dishonored himself,
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