32
Prophets and Kings
with the surrounding nations would bring these nations to a knowledge
of the true God; and he entered into unholy alliance with nation after
nation. Often these alliances were sealed by marriages with heathen
princesses. The commands of Jehovah were set aside for the customs
of surrounding peoples.
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.
The king’s alliances and commercial relations with heathen nations
brought him renown, honor, and the riches of this world. He was
enabled to bring gold from Ophir and silver from Tarshish in great
abundance. “The king made silver and gold at Jerusalem as plenteous
as stones, and cedar trees made he as the sycamore trees that are in the
vale for abundance.”
2 Chronicles 1:15
. Wealth, with all its attendant
[55]
temptations, came in Solomon’s day to an increasingly large number
of people; but the fine gold of character was dimmed and marred.
So gradual was Solomon’s apostasy that before he was aware of it;
he had wandered far from God. Almost imperceptibly he began to trust
less and less in divine guidance and blessing, and to put confidence in
his own strength. Little by little he withheld from God that unswerv-
ing obedience which was to make Israel a peculiar people, and he
conformed more and more closely to the customs of the surrounding
nations. Yielding to the temptations incident to his success and his
honored position, he forgot the Source of his prosperity. An ambition
to excel all other nations in power and grandeur led him to pervert
for selfish purposes the heavenly gifts hitherto employed for the glory
of God. The money which should have been held in sacred trust for
the benefit of the worthy poor and for the extension of principles of
holy living throughout the world, was selfishly absorbed in ambitious
projects.
Engrossed in an overmastering desire to surpass other nations in
outward display, the king overlooked the need of acquiring beauty and
perfection of character. In seeking to glorify himself before the world,