"Was it not because of marriages like these that Solomon king of Israel sinned? Among the many nations there was no king like him. He was loved by his God, and God made him king over all Israel, but even he was led into sin by foreign women."

Nehemiah 13:26

The name Solomon often reminds people of events associated with the 'Ark of the Covenant' because of a variety of movies like that of the Indiana Jones sequels. The true Biblical account of Solomon places him in a category all of his own as he accomplishments and actions were certainly unique.

Early in Solomon's life he recognized a need for wisdom. By the time he asked God for wisdom to rule his kingdom, he had already started a habit of marrying for political reasons that would make his wisdom ineffective. His initial marriage was brought on by a political pact with the Pharaoh of Egypt and confirmed by a marriage to his daughter. She would be the first of hundreds of women Solomon would marry during his reign. Solomon's actions remind us how easy it is to know what is right and yet not do it.

God's gift of wisdom to Solomon did not exclude him from making mistakes. Solomon had been given great opportunities as the king of God's chosen people, but with them came great responsibilities. Unfortunately, Solomon tended to pursue accomplishments over his responsibilities to God. The greater God's blessings, the greater our sacrifice and responsibility.

While becoming famous for building the temple and the palace, he became infamous as a leader who excessively taxed and worked his people. Visitors from distant lands came to admire his wisdom while his own people were gradually alienated from him.

Little is mentioned in the Bible about the last decade of Solomon's reign. Ecclesiastes probably records his last reflections on life. In that book we find a man proving through bitter experience that finding meaning in life apart from God is a vain pursuit. Security and intentment are found only in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The contentment we find in the opportunities and successes of this life is temporary.