King Solomon of Israel was born with a golden spoon in his mouth. It was to prove deadly. Worse still its long shadow still cripples us today.

His father, King David, promoted him to the monarchy above his brothers. Barely eighteen, he asked the Lord for wisdom. In a dream, the Lord promised he would establish his throne forever, if he kept the covenant.

It all began so well. The magnificent temple, his even more magnificent palace, peace with his neighbors . . .

His countless projects required extensive funds, raised through taxes, arms dealing (he bought and sold chariots and horses,) and expeditions for gold.

God-given wisdom attracted sycophants. Envoys from distant lands brought gifts, gold, and wives. It would have been political suicide to refuse. Besides, he loved them.

And like Jacob’s Rachel, they brought their gods. I am sure, at first, Solomon’s heart was vexed. What would his father have said? But as their idols adorned the corners of the palace, and their temples spread like cancer up the Mount of Olives, no thunderbolts fell from heaven; no one fell dead like Uzzah when he touched the Ark.

A prosperous deception

Rather, the prosperity of the nation continued to increase―surely the measure of the Lord’s great blessing? It came at a price.

Ecclesiastes is the outpouring of a confused and depressed old man. Solomon died in his bed, but his son, Rehoboam, split the nation apart. Within four years, Egypt had invaded, beginning the slippery slope to exile.

Solomon could have refused the idols. So could we. For aren’t we at risk of the same outcomes? His father committed adultery and murder. The Lord graciously forgave him. Solomon fell into idolatry and left us a legacy of division and invasion. It’s already happening. Are we destined for exile too?