Daily Read - 1 Kings 11:1-12:19; Acts 9:1-25; Psalm 131:1-3; Proverbs 17:4-5  
This entire chapter is a tragic account of Solomon paying the consequences of his disobedience to God. Up to this point, God's favor and blessing followed Solomon's life. His reputation went before him into all the nations of the world. Wealth, wisdom, and success marked this man because of his devotion and commitment to the Lord. God chose Solomon and entrusted Him with the construction of His temple, the place of God's habitation. This was the most magnificent architectural and spiritual work the earth had ever known.  The entire world looked upon Solomon with honor and respect knowing God's sovereign hand was upon His life. There had never been or ever would be a man possessing the wisdom of Solomon. He was a testament of God's greatness to the entire kingdom.
 
How could a man possessing such awe-inspiring wisdom and intellect make such outrageously irresponsible choices? After God DIRECTLY told him not to intermarry with foreign women, what did he do? He didn't just take one foreign wife, but 700 wives and princesses! If this wasn't bad enough, he added another 300 concubines to this miserable mess of disobedience. The Lord warned him they would turn his heart to worship their gods and sure enough, that is exactly what happened.   
 
1 Kings 11:4-8 - For it was so, when Solomon was old, that his wives turned his heart after other gods; and his heart was not loyal to the LORD his God, as was the heart of his father David.  For Solomon went after Ashtoreth the goddess of the Sidonians, and after Milcom the abomination of the Ammonites.  Solomon did evil in the sight of the LORD, and did not fully follow the LORD, as did his father David. Then Solomon built a high place for Chemo's the abomination of Moab, on the hill that is east of Jerusalem, and for Molech the abomination of the people of Ammon.  And he did likewise for all his foreign wives, who burned incense and sacrificed to their gods. 
 
The Lord God tore the entire kingdom, less one tribe, from the lineage of Solomon. From this point on, God removed His favor and protection and much loss occurred as a result.
 
What a tragic end to the life of such an amazingly gifted man. God is never moved by our gifts, He is moved by our obedience. Solomon's father, David was a man of many flaws, but he sought after God with his whole heart and never strayed to the worship of foreign gods.  For the sake of David, God preserved one tribe to carry on his lineage.
 
Our decisions and choices not only affect our personal lives, but also have far reaching ramifications into future generations. Obedience is the key that not only unlocks God's blessings in our life, but also guards us from the schemes of the enemy.  In this present hour, it is critical we hear the voice of God and obey His instructions. The spiritual climate has changed to such a degree that we must align ourselves with His will and purposes in all areas of our life. 
 
Take the next few minutes and ask Holy Spirit to activate your spiritual senses to hear truth. Ask Him to reveal any areas where you have fallen into idolatry. If something is revealed, quickly repent. Pray and ask the Lord to keep your heart tender and sensitive to His voice. Let us never get to a place where our giftedness overrides our humility.