Winter 1994

PREFACE

By: Michael Tao

It is amazing to see that King Solomon had the greatest wisdom given by God, yet he allowed his rebellion creep in his life and made him a king with double face.

When Solomon was building this gorgeous temple gor God; however at the same time, he was against God's warnig in taking many strange women for his pleasure. Under the influence of these 700 wives and 300 concubines, "his heart was not perfect with the Lord his God, as was the heart of David his father". Solomon built a "high place" for Chomosh, which was the abomination of Moab in the hill there is before Jerusalem.

This highplace was at the top of a hill, standing against Jerusalem, the "City of God", and contradicting God. Then "the Lord was angry with Solomon, because his heart was turned from the Lord God of Israel, which had appeared unto him twice...but he (Solomon) kept not that which the Lord commanded (1 Kings11:9,10)". When God used Nathan to tell David: "thou art the man", David repented immediately. Here with the reprimands from God twice, Solomon showed no remorse. One can serve God outwardly, but most rebellious inside.

Eventually God told him that "I will surely rend the kingdom from thee, and will give it to thy servant." Even so, after God's warning, Solomon did not repent. Solomon, this wisest man in history was already captured by Satan. Wisdom, cannot protect one from the temptation of Satan, unless he applies it. Solomon had all the knowledge about God, salvation and sin; he gave answers to kings and queens. He knew very well he should stay away from these unclean women, yet he rebelled against God. The lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life filled up his heart. He was not a king subdued to God's commandment; nor was he a son, subdued to the instructions of his father. God in return, removed the subduing spirit from Solomon's sons and followers, and the greatness of this Jewish dynasty came to its end.

Let us pray to God that he will give us a subduing spirit, that we will submit to him joyfully. So in the time of need, God will subdue those that are led by us; may they be in our family, at work, or in the church. Psalms 144:2 says, "My goodness, and my fortress; my high tower, and my deliverer; my shield, and he in whom I trust; who subdueth my people under me."