Scripture Passage
Scripture Focus
He also built similar living quarters for Pharaoh’s daughter, whom he had married. (1 Kings 7:8 NLT)
Observation
Again today, the remarkable architectural expansion of Solomon’s kingdom is highlighted. “The Palace of the Forest of Lebanon”—150 feet long, 75 feet wide, 45 feet high. “The Hall of Pillars”—slightly smaller at 75 feet long and 45 feet wide. “The Hall of Justice”—paneled in cedar from floor to ceiling (Debbie thinks that sounds like a great closet!)…all of these buildings with exteriors of cut stone layered with cedar beams—and all surrounded by courtyard walls built to match! The same was true for Solomon’s living quarters. Again, remarkable is the word that consistently comes to my mind.
But there’s a crack in the kingdom’s foundation. Actually, it was first mentioned in the reading from a couple of days ago—1 Kings 3:1. But it gets repeated today (and, again, pretty much repeated “in passing”). It’s the mention of “Pharaoh’s daughter, whom [Solomon] had married.”
What we specifically know from 1 Kings 3:1 is that this marriage was the result of a political alliance that Solomon had made with the King of Egypt. And I understand full well that such was the practice of the day—that political alliances were often sealed with a marriage. Still, that wasn’t God’s plan for Solomon. Indeed, it was a violation of God’s covenant with Israel—the terms of which Solomon was supposed to write out in his own hand and re-read at least once a year.
Eventually, what started as a small compromise for the sake of political expediency became a noose around Solomon’s spiritual neck. About this wife (and others Solomon added) the Bible eventually says “Solomon held fast to them in love…and [they] turned his heart after other gods” (1 Kings 11:2,4 NIV).
It is, indeed, the “little foxes” (Song of Songs 2:15 NIV) that ruin the vineyards, isn’t it?
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