1 Kings 16:29-30 In the thirty-eighth year of Asa king of Judah, Ahab son of Omri became king of Israel, and he reigned in Samaria over Israel twenty-two years. Ahab son of Omri did more evil in the eyes of the Lord than any of those before him.

Jeroboam usurps the line of David and Solomon and seizes control of the kingdom, yet does more evil than Solomon. Baasha takes the kingdom by killing the son of Jeroboam, and he does even more evil. Then Zimri does in the line of Baasha and Omri the line of Zimri, each one doing more evil and leading the nation further astray.

Is there a pattern here?

Obviously, just replacing your leader or governmental authority does not mean the moral fabric of your society will improve. In fact, change without God may just be a spiral into darker depths.

1 Kings 13:17 “I have been told by the word of the LORD: ‘You must not eat bread or drink water there or return by the way you came.'”

The story of Rehoboam and Jeroboam is quite interesting and a lot to grasp all at once. The above verse is one from this story that really caught my attention. Solomon had allowed the worship of other gods and eventually partook in such worship; division split his kingdom after his death. His son Rehoboam ruled part of the Kingdom and Jeroboam ruled the rest.

A prophet was sent by God to give Jeroboam a message, however the prophet was told by the Lord not to eat or drink in the land he was sent nor return by the way he came. That prophet was lied to by another and convinced to eat with that man. As a result, when he continued on his way he was attacked and killed by a lion.

I think that’s how it is with all of us sometimes. We may have a job to do. We may pass through all kinds of areas and meet all kinds of people in this world. However, that does not mean that our minds should be fed by the foolish, nor our hearts nourished by the corrupt. What’s more, life goes ever onward and we should not revert to ways we have outgrown or long for what has gone by. At least, not where it sways or delays us from our destination.

1 Kings 11:3 He had seven hundred wives of royal birth and three hundred concubines, and his wives led him astray.

Solomon built Israel into a powerful kingdom. However, problems occurred. The Bible says that Solomon’s heart was not wholly devoted to God.  With 700 wives of royal birth and 300 concubines… you think?

Way back in Deuteronomy 17, the Bible warns against taking many wives or building up vast amounts of material goods. This is because one’s love for other people or wealth or affluence should not get in the way of one’s love and devotion to God. Sometimes, the more we get, the more we drift from God.

I Kings 3:16-27 One day two women came to King Solomon, and one said:

“Your Majesty, this woman and I live in the same house. Not long ago my baby was born at home, and three days later her baby was born. Nobody else was there with us. One night while we were asleep, she rolled over on her baby, and he died. Then while I was still asleep, she got up and took my son out of my bed. She put him in her bed, then she put her dead baby next to me.

In the morning when I got up to feed my son, I saw he was dead. But when I looked at him in the light, I knew he was not my son.”

“No!” the other woman shouted. “He was your son. My baby is alive!”

“The dead baby is your,” the first woman yelled. “Mine is alive.”

They argued back and forth in front of Solomon, until he finally said, “Both of you say this live baby is yours. Someone bring me a sword.”

A sword was brought, and Solomon ordered, “Cut the baby in half! That way each of you can have a part of him.”

“Please do not kill my son,” the baby’s mother screamed.  “Your Majesty, I love him very much, but give him to her. Just don’t kill him.”

The other woman shouted, “Go ahead and cut him in half. Then neither of us will have the baby.”

Solomon said, “Do not kill the baby.” Then he pointed to the first woman, “She is his real mother. Give the baby to her.”

With the impasse in Congress and perhaps the sad state of American politics in general, I can not but help think of this passage.

1 Kings 3:9 “So give Your servant an understanding heart to judge Your people to discern between good and evil. For who is able to judge this great people of Yours?”

How many times as a kid or even later as an adult, has someone asked us something like: “If you had one wish, what would you wish for?”

David ruled Israel for 40 years albeit with much internal conflict. Solomon, David’s son by Bathsheba, was picked by David to succeed him. Solomon solidified the throne.

The Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream. In the dream, God told Solomon to ask Him for anything. Solomon did not ask for wealth or for long life or for destruction of his enemies. Solomon asked for an understanding heart in order to judge between good and evil.  God gave him what he asked for, and with it came a long life, honor and wealth.

Kind of makes me rethink my wish list.